Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-04
THE SHERMAN STATUE
Washington Sculptors to Protest Against
the Commissions Award.
Action Taken ut n Meeting Held Yes
terday-Whnt Has Been Done NV
the National Sculpture Society.

meeting of the Washington Society of
Sculptors was held at go 18th street yes
terday afternoon tc attest their disapproval
of the action of the monument committee in
accepting the designs of Carl Roll Smith
of Chicago for the Sherman statue in this
city, after those. designs had been rejected
by committee of the National Sculpture
Society of New York, which had been in
vited to pass upon the various designs en-
tered in the competition for the work
There were present President Dunbar, T.
C. Andrews, Robert Hinckley, Jules Dieu-
dome, S. b. Nichols, Prof. L. Amateis, Edw
Siebert, G. F. Gibbs, w. H. Chandlee, L.
Brumidi, w. NJ. Sawyer, Miss j. b. Curtis
and w. b. Chiffon.
How to Secure Reconsideration.
President Dunbar said he had inquired
as to the best method of securing a recon-
sderation of the action Of the monument
committee, and that he had been informed
by a Senator that Congress would prob
ably reverse the action of the committee
if it could be shown that favoritsm had
been displayed by the committee or that
any undue influence had been eXerted to
secure the selection of the Smith design.
Prof Amateis intimated that the Sec
rotary of War and Major General Miles of
the monument committee We're opposed to
the Smith design, but had been outvoted
by the other 1--WE members of the commit
tee, all of whom were members of the So
clety of the Army of the Tennessee. In
case that were so, he thought they would
not have much trouble in securing a re-
consideration of the action of the commit
tee.
Mr.. Andrews said it would not be diff
cult to show that the selection of the Smith
design was the result of favortism. At any
rate, ne could see no good reason why the
Hk4,fC ~ l.
rated NO 10 by the art experts, should have
been given the fourth position by the statue
committee, and then finally selected as the
design for the statue.
4 Protest to COngrcsx
Mr. Sawyer favored immediate action in
a line with that taken by the National
Sculpture Society of New York He sug-
gested the preparation of a protest to Con-
gress against the erection of the Sherman
monument. according to the design Of Carl
Roll Smith
After further discussion as to the best
form of procedure. Mr.. Andrews made
motion, which was adopted. that commit
tee OF three, consisting of President Dun
bar Prot. Amateis and Mr.. G. f. Gibbs he
appointed to draw up resolutions of pro-
test to Congress. to be submitted to an adj
Iourred meeting of the society, to be held
this afternoon.
Protest..
Gen. Dodge of the Sherman monument
committee has received a vigorous protest
from the National Sculpture Society against
the erection of the Sherman monument I'M
DER the designs of Carl Rohl Smith, which
designs mad been previously rejected by a
committee OF that society as of inferior
merit. The question of what should he
done IN the matter was considered at a
meeting OF the society held in New York
tuesday evening. Those present were I
q. A. Ward Russell Sturgis, r. w. Ruck-
stunt, ID. {. French, Bruce Price George
b. Post, Oliver l.. Warner Thomas Hast
lngs. Herbert Adams, c. r Lamb, w. c.
Brownell, w. T. Evans and S. c. Avery.
Inc session lasted over three hours and
most or those present spoke in denuncia-
ton of the monument committees action.
ne sentiment was unanimous, and one
OF the members said that all present were
lighting mad over what they considered
a crime against American art
After the meeting Secretary Ruckstuhl
said:
The executive council of the National
Sculpture Society. having heard with sur
prise and chagrin of the decision of the
committee in regard to the proposed Sher-
man monument to be erected in Washing
ton, have sent letters of protest to the
Secretary of War and to Gen G. NJ Dodge
the president of the committee. and in the
meantime are using their best endeavors
to secure a public exhibition of the models
in New York in such public place as will
permit an intelligent inspection of them
and thus help to secure a competent re-
vision of the decision"
Ma. Ruckstuhl said that the society
would keep up the fight, and, if possible,
bring about a reconsideration of the ac-
ceptance of Smiths plans. All of the COM
pettors except Mr.. Smith are willing and
anxious to exhibit their plans in that city.
Mr.. Smith has declined to do so at pres
ent, on the ground that he is going to Eu-
soon for the summer.
He has expressed his willingness to ex-
hibit his model in the autumn. This will
hardly prove satisfactory to the members
of the society, as they wish to have the
exhibition take place while public interest
in the matter is aroused AMI fear that If it
is left until fall an indefinite postponement
may result. Another effort Will, therefore,
be made to induce Mr.. Smith to exhibit
shortly.
What Members Say.
According to the New York Sun, the
n embers of the society are very much
stirred up over the matter which they con-
slider a sort of test case. The purpose in
organizing the society was to establish
competent Jurisdiction in art matters, such
as exists in European countries.
They were greatly pleased when the COM
mittee of the Army of the Tennessee,
mont and Gen. Miles, was authorized to
award the commission for The Sherman
statue, invited them to appoint a commit
tee to pass upon the plans submitted
The committee awarded prizes to the
four best designs and discarded Mr. Smiths
as among the inferior ones. They were sur
Prised when Gen Dodge's committee or
dered new competition between the prize
winners and Carl Rof1 Smith without again
requesting their cooperation.
When 1t was announced that MIR. Smiths
plans had been accepted and their recon-
mendations ignored, the members of the
society were indignant at the discour;esy to
its committee.
II IS reported that Secretary Lamont and
Gen. Miles voted against the Smith design
and were disguised with the manner in
which the matter had been handled by Gen
Dodge and his friends, and the scuIptors
believe that if this is so, they maye be in
duced to take action to reopen the whole