New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-19
A FOUNTAIN FOR THE PLAZA.
PROPOSAL OF THE NEW MUNICIPAL FINE ARTS
COMMISSION.

COMMISSION
II the Ideas Of the Fine Arts Commission created
under the new charter are carried out. the Cen
trail Park Plaza will be adorned In time with
superb fountain that will cost in the neishborhood
OF 100000 $4,000. As already told In The Trb-
une. bill to encourage the development Of art In
the cities OF the State. recently signed by Governor
Black authorizes cities Of the first class to eXpend
any amount not exceed $1,000 annually in the
purchase OF works Of art. which must be the pro-
ductions Of professional artists who citizens Of
the United States. and must have been executed in
the United States. The disposition OF the appro-
rriatiOn that be made by this city is placed by
the law in the hands Of the Art Commission. OF
which Charles T. Barney is chairman. his associ-
ates being John La Fargo. Daniel c. French,
Charles +. McI[im. 5. i. Avery. Henry G.. Mar
quand H. f. Rowland. John Bigelow and A. A.
Hcay. The plan regarding the fountain was dis
closed by Mr. Barney yesterday in a talk with
Tribune reporter
"Heretofore," remarked Mr.. Barney. THE Art
Commission has had only veto power-the author
.y to pass upon works after they completed.
IN Art Commission. however should have the
right TO specify how a competition should be car
ried on When competition has not been con
Quoted broad enough lines II becomes necessary
to accept passaby good work or turn It down alto
geiher whereas We should have competitions
broad as TO get the best our people can do. This
bin is Il step In the right direction and when we go
before the city government shall ask for the
full amount Of $4,000. which Is not large sum for
city like OURS pay in order to carry out It's pro-
visions.
ct seems to me that have in NewYork
scul9tors who are the peers Of any in the world,
bur their work goes elsewhere. Witness for
ample. ST Gaudenss exquisite Shaw memorial and
French's monument 10 John Boyle OReilly, in Bos-
ton. and St Gaudens's Lincoln. in Chicago. Our
sculptors do their best work for other cities. and
ought to recognize our men hero. Now, the
Central Park Plaza would be a splendid site Tor a
fountain that should be IDEAL piece OF sculpture
II could say 10 or I'VE or SIX or our New
York sculL,or, who might he mentioned We Will
appropriate 100000 or $1,000 for tho work; take
three years. II necessary. 10 accomplish the best
you can do something might be- executed that We
should hc proud OF for all time. or course, II
1t would be better t. spend ample sums Of money
and get splendid results. like Paris th1n TO put MP
picayune things here and there y rccommenda-
for tho erection Of fountain OF this character
the city authorities the latter part cf ihc summer
The AldCrUaric chamber also might tc decorated.
II would take about 5000 to do IL Gttingv, al
though IL could be done for $4,000 $4,000. u
should be said that the city authorities have been
extremely liberal 10 the Art Commission. and Will
ing 10 back Us W Mayor Van WICK mas OK
pressed 10 great dosl OF interest IN our work.
Regarding the historical portraits In tho city Hall.
got the Board OF Estimate 10 give MS an appro-
praflon pm them I'm proper condition. Some or
crnors portraits will soon be hung In historical
Tho more attractive our city s made" added
Mr. barney. I'm conclusion. the people will
financial point q view, 1t pays New-York to make
its,lf beautiful"