New-York tribune., 1902-12-10
ART WORKS. ON FREE LIST
RTLL TO BE INTRODUCED.
-Agstotion for Change IN the 1a'W
decentralization.
Proposed.


.hoI,-fon Of the duty on works of art To ac
rorapltsh that purpose a bill has been ora"i
which asks for the minimum OF rehe1 from tii
roresert tax which would be acceptanle 10 LIZ
artists. It Will be introduced In the HOUSE o.
REPRESENTATIVES this winter by ConsresSili0A
Lowering of Massachusetts,, and proVloes Una
the following articles when imported INTO ln'
United States shall be free OF onty anu s-'--
added TO the free list:
Paintings in oil or water color; stctio stcbines
eculpt1lre drawings. engrav1ngs ana etcl5Lr-9
PROVIDED however. that such articles IN oTosL or e. -
become entitled 10 entry free OF DUTY sLdiL i e.
been manufactured or produced more 'I I+ saii
Years before the date of Importation put sqiC
Exemptions shall be subject to such f aj6
regulations TO proofs OF me 80 s3,r1 NAV
srt,cles as the Secretary Of the Treasury li0'
prescribe
The provisions Of this bill are not only ac-
rsntsble 10 many we'll known artists OF lhIs
city. but have also been indorseo SO Tar ''
fourteen art bodies in other States
Reeardtns the bill J. Carroll Beckwith salo
Yesterday TO a Tribune reporter: Inc pieSeA'
hi, is the result Of conference on the part u d
rornunittee appointed from the Fine AIls
.~.+,on IN consultation with important anna
- a-s Collectors. together with the opinions
~ some Of the dealers. The bill is pIactioai4y
-o- free art with this proviso. that the WORKS Oi
.-+ shan AT least have been created hftE years
rrior to the date Of Importation s.z
.~rt,s ,ro+ects the market from being noooeu
Av cbeap and unworthy trash. Ii ilAe"
guarantees the dealer who has a Valua oie
cT works Of arr on hand, and IL removes ~
.ec+ion which the strong protecflo1lls' mas nc
that the articles imported were pure iuA -
end not matters Of education. 1t is
49, ,ro-l of art which has lasted for han d
rent1lrv of criticism and still ranks as d 80 =
art and possesses Value VIII pe q lio ~
,.,,7a sco,,isition and of educational utliilS'
..rbo ,ain+ings and sculptures no" peliis
-,.,ar.5 +oqather hy wealthy COLLECTORS ale
z-aitire at the door for admission. ana WIZ ~
.inastelv become a joy in our museums
@bis delav should longer continue Is o"uH
sna the tirnidity of our legislators IN Hol
70 recommend a good measure because Die'
fear had ones will ensue should pe clleu Wv -
end p strong and forceful demand TOT lhe Nv
=, 20 e,,er13hfne that contributes TO our ecu
ration and enlightenment. and In no way Hui -
commercial interests of any kind Whatever
.bould roJnpel the attention of members OF Noil-
Sress--'
,,,;os of tho hill have been sent to all the ART
.oc3eties If this country accompanied by let
&C FROM, the committee on tariff on works or
.rt con,nosed Of J. Carroll Beckwith, EdW1h
1fovIsnd Rlashf7eld and Kenyon Cox Ihe
,o.o1,,,ons ~ some of the fourteen societies
already heard from Of timely interest
The directors Of the Worcester Art Museum
.ecently passed resolutions urging Massacnu-
.etts Senators and Representatives in Congress
10 mass the proposed bill, and expressed en-
rhatic condemnation Of the existing tarln on
,rorls Of art created more than fifty years ago.
The resolutions continued:
IT is difficult. If not impossible, to see what
good purpose this tariff serves The importa-
zion Of these works of art, many OF them or
great antiquity and value and Impossible 10
be reproduced. SO far from needing the restraint
Of tariff should receive every reasona bic en-
couragenlen1 from the government. Their pos
session and exhibition in this country. even in
private hands tend greatly to the elevation OF
the public taste and the advancement of art
education among the people: and as. through
loan or gift the majority of them ultimately
hecone practically the property OF the public
through museums and similar institutions, the
checking of their purchase and importation by
o heavy arbitrary and vexatious tariff seems
rot only absurd and indefensible. but also
measure Of popular injustice that should be
sbolished-
The directors of the Art Society Of Pittsburg
have voted that the society go on record as
approving the bill. and will take pains Ito
have personal effort made by the Pennsyra-
sia Congressman that successful issue of this
set In Congress may result
In favoring the passage of the bill the di-
Fectors of the San Francisco Art Association
said they believed the best interests OF the COM
naunity at large would be served by the bring
sng into this country of many of the worlds
masterpieces OF possible. and that the
present tariff laws acted a deterrent to the
nations acquisition through its private citizens
of many such treasures
The members of the Society Of Associated
ARTS. of Chicago. in expressing their sympathy
gith the movement. pledged themselves as
Individuals well as body Ito further the
prorulgation of any act of Congress that will
permit the bringing to America Of works of
srt, free of duty. feeling by doing they are
encouraging art education, culture and refine
10 or shores works or intrinsic value, which
will ultimately find their way into public insti-
sutions thereby becoming Of educative value
50 the people at large
The Thumb Tack Club. of Bridgeport, Conn
considers the present time particularly oppor-
tune for; q renewal OF the movement for a re-
peal Of the tariff on works of art, and is "op-
posed 10 this tax on civilization. which is now
Imposed by the Dirlgley tariff law The mem
hers cf the club believe that American artists
ask for and need protection. and would glad
1y the total abolition of any tax on imported
OF old masters
The Illinois Chapter of the American Insti-
fute OF Architects unanimously decided TO in
6orse and approve the passage Of the act
Illinois Senators and the twenty-five Represen-
fstives Of the action Of the chapter
The bill has also received the approval of the
Boston Art Club, the Minneapolis Society of
Fine Arts. the Providence Art Club, the Rhode
Island School of Design, the Art Association of
Eew-Orleans, the Rhode Island Chapter of the
American Institute Of Architects and the Rich
pnond Art Association. Of Richmond. Ind