Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-10
Effort Of the Organization to Have
Commission Established.
APPEAL WILL Be MADE TO CONGRESS-
Text Of the Bill as Prepared by
Board of Directors.
OFFICERS OF THE LEAGUE

Every effort is being made by the Public
Art League Of the United States, with
headquarters in Washington. for the es-
Establishment OF an art commission by Con-
gress. A form Of bill to be presented to
that body was lately drawn up by the
board of directors of the league for the
commission. Copies of the bill itself and
circulars asking for suggestions or ap-
prevails in regard to it have been just sent
out by Gienn Brown, secretary of the
league. to its members and members OF
the American Institute of Architects, Ma
tionsi Sculpture Society and National
Academy of Design.
The proposed bill is as follows:
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States OF
America in Congress assembled. That there
shall be, and is hereby, established a COM
mission to be known as the Art Commits
sion of the United States for the purpose
Of securing the highest degree Of excellence
m all works of art which shall hereafter
be purchased or constructed by the govern
nent. The commits sion shall have a COM
mon seal. and may alter the same at pleas
ure: it shall appoint the necessary officers,
expert juries and employees, and have the
power to- remove the same; and 1t may
make and change bylaws ard do such
acts, not inconsistent with law as shall
be necessary or proper to carry out the
purposes Of Its establishment.
Commission Of Five Members.
Section 2. The Art Commission of the
United States shall be composed of the
president Of the American Institute OF
Architects. the president of the National
Sculpture Society and the president Of the
National Academy Of Design, together with
two other citizens of the United States to
be appointed for term Of six years, and.
from time to time, as vacancies occur, by
the President of the United States.
Section 3. The Art Commission of the
United States shall be charged with the
duty of examining with reference to ar
tistic merit the designs or models of every
work of art to be purchased constructed,
or offered IS a gift, whether of sculpture,
painting, architecture or landscape archi-
lecture. including designs for coin. seal.
medal, note, stamp, or bond to be fabri-
Gated. The approval of the commission
shall be requisite to the acceptance of said
work OF art or the adoption of said de-
sign or model: Provided. however, That no
design or model by any member of the
commission shall be admitted to COMPETE
ton; and provided further, that the pro-
visions of this act shall not apply to the
architecture of any public building the cost
of which building shall not exceed the
sum Of $4,000, except court houses post
offices, custom houses and permanent hos
nitals.
Section 4. All decisions of the commits
Siou concerning selection or adoption OF
any proposed work of art, as is herein de-
fined shall be rendered within sixty days
after the same shall have been submitted
to them for action. In case the commission
shall fail to act upon any matters SUBJ
mitted to them under provision of this act
within sixty days after the same have been
SO submitted, the decision shall rest with
the head of the department, bureau or Of
flee submitting the same.
May Direct Competitions.
Section 5. The Art Commission of the
United States may institute conduct, or
ganize and direct competitions in connec-
ton with the preliminary designs for any
work OF art to be purchased or constructed
by tie government, or offered as a gift,
whether Of sculpture. painting architecture,
or landscape architecture, not including
the plans for any building the cost of which
shall not exceed the sum of $50, 600; for any
monument or memorial structure. and for
every coin. seal. medal note. stamp or
bond, which may be submitted for its con-
sideration and decision; and it shall be the
duty OF any officer of the government
charged with the ordering execution. or
acceptance Of any such designs or models
to transmit them to the Art Commission of
the United States for consideration and ap-
prevail, and no such design or model shall
be adopted, or work of art accepted until
after the approval OF the commission. shall
be given the project. Upon receipt of Jury
reports by the art commission the latter
should select adopt and accept one of the
projects submitted Upon the completion
OF Its examination Of any work, the COM
mission shall make q full and complete
report, with such recommendations as it
may deem proper, to the head of the execu-
tive department or other authority as may
be charged with such work or project.
Section 6. The art commission of the
United States shall have the power to Sc
lect juries of not more than five experts to
perform any service delegated to them by
the commission, such as drawing up
schemes for competitions, examining and
reporting to the commission with regard
to the selection of any work or project
to be acquired by the government The
adoption by the commission of designs or
models for architecture. sculpture and
landscape architecture shall carry with IT
the appointment and employment of the
author of the design or model, etc.
The Expenses.
1.-The necessary and proper expenses of
the said juries and competitions shall be
betrayed from the appropriation for the
object to be acquired.
Section T. Heads of departments may
detail experts, and shall furnish any data
and drawings when requested that will
aid the commission In making its decisions.
Section 8. The head of each department,
bureau or office or a representative desig-
mated by him, shall be one of the members
of the special jury in all matters pertain
department., bureau or office, which has
been submitted to the art commission for
consideration.
Section o. The art commission of the
United States shall hold a meeting at least
once in each year, in the city Of Washing
ton, for the transaction of business; and
other meetings may be held at any time
or place, under such regulations as may
be provided for in the bylaws of the COM
mission.
Quarters in Library.
Section 10. Suitable quarters in the
library or other government building shall
be designated as a meeting place for the
commission.
Section II. For the organization, pre-
liminary work and necessary expenses of
the commission for the fiscal year ending
- there is hereby appropriated, out of
any moneys in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated, the sum of 5000, but the
members of the commission shall receive
no compensation whatever for any service
as such from the government of the United
States.
Section II. The commission shall make,
annually, to Congress a full and complete
report Of its proceedings, and a detailed ac-
count of all expenditures of moneys APP
propriated for the maintenance and opera
tons. Of the commission shall, in each year,
be reported to the accounting officers of