The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-21
ART In SAN FRANCISCO.
Feasible Scheme for Accepting
the Searies Gift.
The State University to Utilize the Hopkins
Mansion-No Formal Offer Yet Made.
How 100000 wss Lost.

The perplexing problem of what to do
with the Hopkins mansion on Mob Hill still
confr0ntS the directors OF the Art Assoc,a-
ton. The wild enthusiasm With which the
news of the proposed gift by Mr.. Searles
was at first received in art circles has long
since been superseded by perplexity. doubt
and almost despair. The fact stared them
in the face that with $1,000 Of taxes and
other needs of $4,000 more. which they would
have to provide for annually, it would De
madness on their part to attempt TO
handle it.
1t was then suggested that the property
be transferred to the city. to be maintained
by the municipality as an art school. BY
this means the $4,000 taxes would be saved
This suggestion fell fiat for obvious reasons.
The next idea Matched was TO get 30 solid
citizens to make up a guarantee fund to
cover any expenses beyond what the Art
Association was able to meet from Its own
annual income. The only difficulty In this
scheme was to find the 90 philanthropists
who were willing to sacrifice portion Of
the ir capital on the altar of art.
A NEW SCHEME.
Now q scheme has been propounded that
seems the most feasible OF all, and there is
a strong probability that what has been
looked upon almost as white elephant
will prove blessing to artistic circles and
one OF the most attractive features of the
city. Ii is this. That the Art Association
accept the gift and then turn it over to the
regents of the University of California 10
be used by them as headquarters for a de-
partmeut OF hne arts or affiliated college OF
art
No formal offer has as yet been made to
the regents, but the proposition is now
being discussed informally by them and by
the directors OF the Art Association. AS
soon as The regents have had time TO con-
slider the pros and cons of the matter ii is
understood the formal offer will be made.
The fact that the finance committee of the
regents has always given the cold shoulder
10 any gifts with strings to them is
stumbling block in the way. Ii is doubtful
il they would enter into any scheme OF joint
control with the directors OF the Art Assoc
citation.
Ii satisfactory arrangement with the
Regents should eventuate the Hopkins
house would, Of course, become State prop
erty. and therefore exempt from taxation.
A REGENTS VIEW.
In speaking of the suggestion Yesterday
one of the Regents said: "The proposition
Is not yet formally before the Regents. but
L can say with safety that they
would accept such a munifcent gift
II given absolutely into their control.
II accepted by the Art Association
be turned over to the Regents with the con-
dition that school of design and art gal
lery be maintained there. The university
authorities could also utilize the build
ing for other purposes, among them the
university extension lectures for which a
suitable house IN San Francisco has been
long urgently needed, There is nothing in
my opinon 10 prevent the establishment or
department or college OF art of the
University, and in my judgment it would
be an excellent thing. 10 Europe such de-
partmentS with large galleries are connected
with many universities"
In connection with this gift it has just
now leaked out that Timothy Hopkins
might have been 500. 900 richer by simply
asking for it. Mr.. Searles' attorneys were
authorized in the event of Mr. Hopkins
declining the $3.50. coo offered in lieu of the
Mob Hill property. TO increase the sum as
high as S550,000 rather than the proposition
to give it to the Art Association should not
be ratified as desired.