| Several hundred thousand plans were submitted for the award.
On Feb. 4, 1924, however, the Policy Committee of the Bok Peace Award decided on a simple plan by an academic named
Charles Levermore (1856-1927). Levermore's plan contained two main provisions: (1) the United States should adhere to the
Permanent Court of International Justice, and (2) should extend its cooperation with the League of Nations, without
becoming a member of the League . . . as at present constituted." The Bok Peace Plan was viewed by Senate Republicans as a
childish and veiled attempt to foster American entry into the League of Nations. Although the U.S. Senate
examined the Bok Plan, the committee dropped its investigation after the death of former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson
(1856-1924) and allowed the presentation of the award. (See, "Charles Herbert Levermore," Dictionary of
American Biography Base Set (American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936). See also, "Bok's
Winning Plan League Propaganda, Senate Chiefs Aver," Washington Post (Jan. 4, 1924): 1;
"Bok Peace Plan Given a Subzero Senate Welcome," Chicago Daily Tribune (Jan. 8, 1924): 9;
"Senators Summon Bok on Peace Plan," New York Times (Jan. 18, 1924): 1; and "To Give Bok Prize Tonight,
New York Times (Feb. 4, 1924): 20.) |
