New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-05
PROTECTION FOR TRUE ART.
DIR. MORTON THINKS 4 SPECIFIC Dr,Tv worn u
KEEP OUT BAD PICTURES AND HAVE LITTLE
EFFECT on GOOD ONES

i " BAD PICTURES AND HAVE LITTLE
EFFECT on GOOD ONES
To the Editor Of The Tribune
or IN the articles which have recently read in
'"ilous journals on the subject of duties on pict-
ures their authors seem 10 me to have overIooked
an aspect or the question which is vitality mporta nj
In its practical results The artists NJ arorico
are in no need Of the protection which nipb, no
accorded TO new and feeble Industry but fhey
should have protection from unfair business com
petition at the hands Of those who are not artists
and have no interest in the subject beyond the en-
larsement of their profits
have wish 10 criticise or find FAM, with
those who carry on the purchase and sale Of met
ures Just as they would the purchase and sale OF
any other commodity. Such trading Is as legiti-
mate az that in drygoods groceries; but I do
maintain that such business should not be fostered
at the expense and to the injury Of the great ma
Jority OF American artists. Let explain in a
SPECIFIC manner what understand to be the state
or the case. 1t u.s. OF course the natural and legi
mate object Of the dealer to buy in the cheapest
market ana 10 sell at the highest price, and to
avoid anything tending to disturb this relation
NOW suppose such a dealer to look around him
and compare his chances in profitable dealing in
american ana foreign pictures If he purchases
from American artists a low figure and sells
the same pictures at large advance he runs two
rsKs' FIRST. the artist will hear OF the high price
which his picture has brought and will nut ND
ms price next time. or the customer will see the
Worhs or the artist In some Academy exhibition or
the like and find that he do better by going
directly TO tho artist. Anything more than a mod
crate commission in the way of profit is therefore
long 90 WV
III, now. he turns his attention to a foreign source
OF supply the prospect IS different He can purchas
Foreign picture OF merit. by some artist not vet
famous for few hundred dollars and sell IL FOR
as many thousands. and neither artist nor Gus
TONER will know anything about this proportion
The opportunities thus offered to the business ma n
IN this direction are therefore manfcstly attractive
and we cannot ask him 10 forego this opportunity
FOR rapid acquisition because II will discourage he
majority of rising American artists
AS matter OF fact. II is no secret that at the
present time immense stocks OF cheap foreign pic-
ures have been imported and are ready 10 food
the market as soon general Improvement in
business gives prospect Of activity among the pur.
chasing public.
Such being the difficulty, how can 1t be remedied I?
MOI by an ad yaorem duty. which will be
trlnlng tax on the cheap foreign picture imported
Tor trade only and huge burden the pictures
OF approved value imported in the true interests OF
art Dut by specific duty OF. say. 500 each pict-
ure OF certain size. which viii be a serious load
on the cheap trade commodity but utterly insg-
nincant IN The case OF the example OF high art Inn
ported for some great public or private gallery.
Ihough neither great collector nor an artist