The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-29
THE ANGEL ON THE DOME,
Mayor Sutro Declares Against
the Wells Statue Alto
gether.
WOULD REOPEN COMPETITION.
CresweII and Broderick Speak Very
Freely as to the Mayors Art
Notions.

1t comes in the nature of liberal edu.
cation in art to be present at the meetings
of the City Hall Commission during these
days when the statue for the dome and the
metal in which it should be cast are under
discussion.
Mayor Sutro has hitherto only hesitated
over the metal. The contract calls for
white metal but it was feared that the
brave big winds which figure SO much in
San Francisco would blow the wings off the
yound lady and, instead of enabling her to
so gracefully home to heaven, thing that
wings are supposed to be made for, they
would themselves come tumbling heavily
to earth, leaving her to stand against the
blue sky shorn to her shoulder blades, a
monument to many things that the City
would prefer to keep secret. The Mayor
does not believe the figure belongs in
heaven or anywhere in that direction.
Since receiving the letter from his artist
friend, David Neal, all the way from Mu-
Mich, he has taken stand against the
statue altogether, and at the meetingsyes-
terday morning declared that he was in
favor of reopenlng the vexing question to
competition. Bronze, it was said, was the
only metal in which the figure should be
cast, and he would never vote to put the
necessary money into the Wells figure, as
it was not good art.
This put both Creswen and Broderick,
the two other members of the commission,
on their own metal Both had voted for
the Wells figure as against the Gulielmo
design, the Mayors choice.
Creswell said that it was the finest thing
he had ever seen in art. While it might
not suit everybody he thought it much
superior to any other figure offered in the
not nd he iralxy ed
with it and with his own taste.
Broderick became personal. He said:
81 am afraid, Mr.. Sutro, these Gulielmo
people are trying to pull your Leg"
The Mayor said he could not understand
what the Auditor meant.
II mean just what I say" said Brod-
erick. "This man Gulielmo came out here
from Italy at the instance of Happers-
berger and tried all the arts he knew to
get this contract. He was assisted by some
employees of the architects Office and for
months through his friends bullyragged
the members of this commission. He is
not through yet, it seems, for 1 notice you
have secured the publication of private
letter from another of his friends abusing
us for not accepting his design. Now /
don't propose to be bulldozed in this
way"
And if this friend don't know any
more about art than he does about the ad-
of this City 1 think he is an
egregious ass" said Cresswell rather hotly
for him.
81 don't know anything about art" said
the Mayor, "but l will not vote to put any
more money in this statue because I
think it is monstrosity.'
IF you don't know anything about art"
said Broderick, why do you undertake to
criticize an artists work?''
''Well, will never vote to put bronze
into that statue" said the Mayor logged
ly. II would rather pay Wells his price
and get something of which the City need
not always be ashamed"
"But you must keep in mind that there
are others in this commission" said Cres-
well. eve don't much care whether YOU
do or not, as we can settle it without your
vote. The statue has been selected, and it
only remains to say of what material it
may be made. Furthermore, Mr.. Mayor"
ne said, 81 don't think it was lust the
thing for you to publish a private letter re-
decting upon the members of this com
of which you are a member"
The Mayor said that in his hurried read
ing of the letter he had not noticed the
insulting language, and that he did not
intend any discourtesy.
Creswell and Broderick declared them
selves in favor of bronze for the statue,
but hesitated little further about adopt
ing it until they knew what the cost
would be and if it would come within the
limit.