Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-04-08
ART SCHOOL N Paris
Miss Smedley Interests Iowans
at Washington in Foreign
Educational Project.
She Would Maintain National
Institute for American
Students in Europe.
Gift Of Valuable Property in
Paris..Seems to Be
Worthy Object.
to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
| Washington, April S.-There was
held, recently, at the Hotel Hamllton'
| in the parlors of Representative ana
Mrs. Conner, of Iowa, a gathering OF
members of the Iowa delegation In con-
gress to listen to Miss Matilda Smed-
LEY, who set forth in convincing man
ner the history and merits of an Ameri-
can national institute. Miss Smedley
is not an artist, but a great-hearted,
bard headed philanthropist, who finds
it compromising labor of love to work
rot only for the American student, but
for American industry and the extern
sion of American influence and pres
tige.
To enter into the history and merits
of the American National Institute is
not possible in our limited space. but
BRIEFLY stated, the project is as follows:
President Mckinley and the state de-
partment were led to see at the time OF
the appropriations for the Paris eXposi-
ton that there was great need for an
educational institution. founded by our
government and endorsed by the United
States, as a center of American inf1u-
ence in Paris, where the prize students,
sent every year from the different
schools thruout the country, could live
under the supervision and protection of
our government, as the French stu
dents do in Rome, the Prix de Rome
students. President Mckinley saw that
the results of such an institution would
be far-reaching, reacting on all our
arts and industries, and :aving to our
selves all that is now going to waste
from lack of proper endorsement and
supervision. President Mckinley rec
commended that If the appropriations
We're increased a permanent building
should be erected, which at the close of
the exposition should be handed over
to the proper authorities to be used as
national institute supported by schol-
arships; these including painting
sculpture, music, literature and science.
The French government rendered land
worth 100000, situated in the heart of
Faris, the site bordering upon the ex
position grounds. The appropriation
was increased in accordance with
President Mckinley's desire, but thru
some slip in the operation of the politi-
cal mill the item desired by the presi-
dent, and it is claimed promised to him,
was not inserted, and $4,000 was spent
in tearing down the building of the
United States. Miss Smedley was not
discouraged at this great loss. She has
persisted in her work. She established
IL preliminary house and started prac-
teal object lesson of the necessity for
such an institution. She received for
the institution gifts in works of art and
literature to the amount of over $780,
600. She comes rendering the United
States property valued at nearly $780,
900 from the French people on the con-
dition that congress will receive these
gifts and appropriate $250,O00 for
building to be erected on this land. The
institution will be supported by schol-
arships already on hand or promised
from schools and private individuals;
the buildings and lands to be vested in
the United States and the entire insti-
tuition controlled by board appointed
by this government.
This gathering of Iowa men and
women at the parlors of Congressman
and Mrs. Conner was most eloquent
testimonial that Iowa is interested, and
deeply interested, in the advancement
Of the arts and sciences. If this most
meritorious proposition shall gain the
approval of the committee on appropri-
ations of the senate the reproach of
a,,1 1,oc 1,,sn M
taken from fair Iowa.
Senator Depew is sponsor for the bill.
Senator Dolliver, Hon. George e. Rob-
erts and many members of the Iowa
delegation are greatly interested in the
projects and are lending their influence
and aid in securing the passage of the
appropriations. They clearly perceive
tEat the time has come for such for
ward step in the direction of utilizing
all the powers of our land, not merely
those commercial, and the giving of due
and proper attention to the great posi-
bilities in the line of industries and
arts. They realize that the creative
power is a tremendous force for good if
properly directed and as great for evil
If neglected.
The erection and endowment of this
great institution in Paris would i'm
mensely strengthen our hands and in
crease immeasurably our prestige not
only in France, but turnout Europe.
From any point of view the money
would be most jundiciously and wisely
expended. The fact that after going
over the entire matter in great detail
President Mckinley was greatly in ia
vor Of the project. as is shown by his
printed utterances thereupon, will
commend 1T to all mankind If this
shall pass the credit for it's
accomplishment will fall very largely
to Iowa.