New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-09
FOR AN AMERICAN SALON..
AT ITS MONTHLY MEETING
AND DINNER

There was an interesting discussion last evening
at the monthly meeting and dinner OF the Archi-
tecturai League OF New-York in the Fine Arts
Society Building in West Fifty-seventh-st. on
THE Merits and Dement'S OF United Arts Exhbi-
lions In New-York City" Robert w Gibson pre-
sided and among the guests James D. smillie
J. Carroll Beckwlth. Charles Stewart Smith. WILL
lam T. Evans. F. Hopkinson Smith and A. 7. Van
Laer.
Frederick S. Lamb vice-president OF the league
opened the discussion by saying this an age
OF combination in other lines. and asked why should
II not be time for combination of the arts While
the scheme of an American Salon had been under
discussion for number OF years. 1t had never
crystallized. II had been feared by some that IL
architectural drawing were placed In competition
with paintings adverse criticism would be
the result. 1t was felt that II the mural arts and
the handicrafts included there might be
a possible tendency toward commercialsm but In
the light OF recent developments why Shouts II NOT
be possible to have great building created. COM
bning all In their best Observation-Disclosures 10
supply the frame. the mural arts to decorate H.
the arts and the crafts to embelsh It and the
finer arts TO form the basis OF the internal exhibit
ton?
J. Carroll Beckwith. a member Of the Council OF
the National Academy OF Design urged that the
union OF the art soceties in an exhibition would
provide novelty. and the beneht to the artisuc
world would be undoubted. People would certainly
1t arranged on practical basis 1t could he
made to pay Mr.. Beckwtth acknowledged. however.
that the attendance at art exhibitions In this city
rarely paid. At the Academy OF Design exhibit
TONS for instance the entrance fees seldom aver
age 500 day. and exhibition could be successful
without novelty. The first Portrait Show was a
great success for this reason. and while the two
other portrait shows made money 1t was not to
the same degree the first
Mr. Beckwith thought Madison Square Garden
would be good place in which to hold an exhibit
ton Of all the art societies. Such an exhibition
would be not only source OF education to the
people, showing what could be produced in New
York, but II would create enthusiasm and
passion for art. Mr. Beckwith heartily Endorsed
the Idea OF united arts exhibition. and said he
hoped the league would confer with the National
Sculpture Society and other societies the subject
F. Hopkinson Smith read letter he had written
to the National Academy OF Design in 1884, in which
he advocated union OF all the societies OF this
city. Mr.. Smith said he had been abroad every
year for twenty years. and at no time had he seen
so much respect manifested for Americans as In tho
last year 1t the custom to consider French
the best. but France. with few exceptions. had
produced nothing that was distinctly new In the
ass ie erbg years Americans oday had the
was warmly In favor of exhibition OF sculpture.
Thomas Shields Clarke declared that the Dewey
Arch proved that In unity is strength. and urged
Charles Stewart vSs 9' Smith bseed il was in the
power of the affiliated societies represented there to
make NewYork one OF the most attractive cities in
the world. The attractions OF a city" said Mr.
Smith. pay. and every railroad and every shop
Why? Because Paris is the most attractive city in
the world, and offers more 70 the student Of
progress than any other city. II the Dewey Arch
Is put in enduring marble II Will be one of the best
assets OF New-York. | hope you will succeed In
the project OF a united arts exhibition"
a. T. Van Laer spoke OF the educational value
OF such exhibition, and had no doubt OF its sue
cess under proper management. Dr.. L. p Cham
berlain and F. Wellington Ruckstuh also spoke
in favor OF the proposed exhibition
A resolution adopted TO the effect that the
president OF the League appoint committee Of
five, three OF them to be chosen from the guests
the subject Of holding united arts exhibition.
For the last three years the Architectural League
has devoted its attention TO abstract questions to
the establishment OF the city as whole. This year
II intends TO take up few concrete problems, and
its endeavor will be TO have some OF them at least
carried 10 successful compttsBh vi