The San Francisco call., 1899-07-22
WAR AMONG
ART SCHOOL
PROFESSORS
Class Division Is the
Cause.

Arthur Matthews, dean Of the faculty
of the Hopkins School of Art, has returned
from Europe TO quiet the many troubles
which for some time past have beset the
institution During the absence of the
dean the school has suffered a serious de-
/ crease in its profits and it is generally
known among the students that there has
+ been considerable friction between the art
+ professors and their pupils. The popular
ity of the dean is attested by the fact
that during his administration the school
had an average attendance of at least
103 students, whereas after he left for
( Europe the average attendance was re-
duced to about eighty. This decrease is
/ ansWpTable for serious losses to the eX-
chequer of the art school Each pupil
attending the full day course pays $40 a
month. The halliday course costs 81 and
the night course 50 a month. From these
tuition fees the school calculates its
profits.
several months ago John Stanton was
given charge of affairs. The temporary
change seemed to have the effect of en-
gendeTing considerable friction between
the teachers. Each one was ambitious to
have the largest following Of students,
and the rivalry became so acute that
many discords arose. The trustees took
+ the matter in hand at last and to abolish
the causes of the inharmony altered the
course Of study SO as to let out one or
1 two teachers involved in the war of pop
ularity. This step was considered essen
tiaI to maintain the schools prestige and
increase its profits. The earnings OF the
time Mr. Matthews went away were $1,000
The loss thereafter caused by the de-
/ crease of students has amounted to about
$500.
According to the new arrangement de-
cided upon by the trustees, Mr.. Matthews
will continue as dean of the disturbed
faculty and the courses have been so
changed that Harry Fonda, teacher of the
life class. has been left without func-
ton. John Stanton resigns the manage
ment of the school in favor of Mr.. Mat
I thews and takes charge of the prepara-
tory antique class. r. D. YeIland will
have the class of sketching and perspec-
tive A night class Will meet on Mondays
Wednesdays and Fridays of each week
under the direction of Charles Judson.
urday classes in antique and portrait
work; Douglass Tilden will have the
modelling class and the dean will continue
to teach the class Of life and still life
The school will reopen under these new
conditions on August Z.
/ Dean Matthews was seen yesterday rel
atiVe to the troubles which have con-
cerned the school during his absence. He
refused TO enter into any statement of
them, excepting. to say that whatever
friction there might have been would be
thoroughly dissipated by him when the
next school year commenced.
hagf heard in genera GfferHTeg wag SAD SAID
arisen during my absence between teacn-
ers over the division Of the students in
!
profits of the school have decreased.
intend to settle all these disputes among
the faculty. and l think the new course
of study will help me in the work. My
only ambition is to see the school pro-
gress and answer all the requirements Of
modern art school. l do not intend to
| permit any friction to exist, and | sin
/. cerely hope that all the troubles of the
institution have been, settled. [ take
pleasure in saying one thing about my
trip to Europe which shows that the work
of the Hopkins School is bearing salts
factory results. While in Paris l met
pursuing their studies there"
A vigorous effort will be made during
! the next school year to increase the earn
! ings of the institution by reclaiming those
students who discontinued their work as
a result of the internecine rows among
! the teachers. and with the reopening it
is expected the warning factions in the
/ faculty will bury the hatchet and unite
/ in teaching the young idea how to paint
/ to the exclusion of personal animosities
! and ambitions.