File:Mrs. Robert Hamilton Smith UDC President General to Mrs. Forrest Gertude Kibler General Chairman UDC May 15, 1963 (60d480a0-8d57-4dae-86e2-9abf66536f72).jpg

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Dear Mrs. Kibler: I had hoped to have time to call you as I changed planes in Atlanta last Sat. but could not do it. I had attended the Ala, and La, conventions and was on my way home. I was very glad to hear about the Tenn. appropriation. You have certainly done more than your part in trying to get the states of take action. I hope the others will soon realize that this is something which should not be by-passed. Fla. and Texas of all states should not have trouble getting their funds. Gertie Mathews and her husband have been working with Mrs. Haggard. Miss Franklin called on Sunday night. She has been home from the hospital for about ten days but I do not think that she it too well. The pain from the eye operation has been terrific. I am enclosing a copy of a letter which Mr. Simon sent to me. Mr. Sturdivant took his name from several designs or rather pictures of monuments which he had built and which I had with me in Richmond. Mr. Simon is on the Independence Hall Committee here and we have known him for a long time. No matter who the sculptor is, we will have to have an architect and I wish you would give some thought to letting Mr. Simon serve as the architect. Knowing that the final responsibility of the monument would rest on my shoulders if it is built while I am still in office, I went to see Mr. Simon to discuss it and to get as much information as possible. I told him the amount of money we would have and that we were very anxious to have a monument outstanding and durable which would embody all the things we feel it should. He says that Georgia Blue Granite is suitable for the cold climate in Penna but that marble does not weather the severe winters too well. He hastily sketched the design which I am sending you and suggested that the figure either be in high bas relief of granite or if preferred bronze. He feels that it should be high enough to stand out and very impressive otherwise it will just be another monument among so many. Mr. Sturdivant has taken a rather active part, more so than Mr. Waldo. He also sent me a number of designs by Mr. Charles Rudy but I had to return them to Mr. Rudy. Mr. Sturdivant had written to Mr. Simon to get the address of Mr. Rudy and Mr. Hancock. I have made it clear to Mr. Sturdivant that the committee to select the design consists of the three on our committee plus Cody who is now Honorary, and three from the Sons plus the Commander of the Sons and the P.G. of the Daughters. I am very willing for him to help but we must be on guard a bit as he is much more active than Mr. Waldo. Please do not mention this to anyone but I wanted

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