The Washington times., 1902-04-22
TEMPEST STIRRED
over GRANT STATUE
Action of the Memorial Com
mission Causes Comment.
scULPToRS NOT PLEASED
Friends OF Both Mr.. Shrady and Mr.. Me
haus Criticisc Action of the Commits
sion-General Dissatisfaction Said to
Have Resulted.

Inc recent decision of the Grant Me-
mortal Commission in selecting the de-
sign of Mr.. II. NJ. Shrady OF Brooklyn. as
to all intcnts and purposes the best in
intrinsic merit, but stating that there
was doubt of his power to execute a
figure of General Grant with the nobility
and reserve powe- that it should possess
ana asking Mr.. Shrady to submit new
model Of the equestrian figure, the re-
naming part of his work being consid-
cred entirely satisfactory, has called forth
much unfayorable criticism. This is added
to by the fact that the commission has
also asked Mr. c. H. Niehaus to enter
into another competition with Mr.. Shrady
TO determine upon the figure of General
Grant that will be selected to place on
the base designed ny Mr.. Shrady.
Suppressed Indignation.
Many OF the competitors in the recent
contest have talked of the matter in no
very complimentary way, although they
have studiously avoided breaking into
print.
AS might be expected, there was lissa.-
isfaction over .he decision of the ad-
visory committee, each competitor feel
ing that mis- work was the best and there
fore worthy of at least a mention.
Before Mr. Niehaus left Washington.
after the decision Of the memorial com
mission was made known. there was lit
tie doubt as to his attitude, and although
he studiously avoided any discussion of
the matter. it was said by his intimate
friends that he would decline to enter
again into competition for furnishing ;he
memorial.
1t is understood that Mr.. Niehaus did
not hesitate, when taking to his friends
in Washington, to say that he was sur
prised that the committee should have
made the distinction between himself and
Mr. Shrady, when at the same time the
body was not sure Of. Mr.. Shrady's power
to execute the work that was demanded in
the competition
Mr.. Niehaus, it is understood, says lie
has all the work that he can do and that
the only reason that he entered the cum
petition was the honor that would come
from being a winner.
Won on Merits.
The friends OF Mr.. -Shrady are not dila
tory in demanding that he won the first,
distinction on his merits; that the com
mittee could have had no other motive
The friends of Mr.. Shrady insist that the
fact that he is young man should not
be the cause Of prejudice. They main
tain that every man who has ever achieved
distinction must have had a beginning,
and that. until it is proven beyond all
reason that he is incapable of accomplish
ing the work. he should be permitted to
go ahead. They are equally severe in
their criticism of the advisory committee
and the commission as the friends of Mr..
Niehaus.
Mr.. Shrady's friends do not think that
the competition should be continued be-
tween Mr.. Niehaus and himself. but If the
of the commission were to de-
eide that they were not warranted in Civ
ing the final award to Mr.. Shrady through
doubt OF his ability to complete a salts
factory statue, then they could properly
pass on to the next in line of excellence
of design; but, in any event. they de-
clare. it is not a matter to be decided be-
tween Mr.. Shrady and Mr.. Niehaus.
Many of the sculptors who took part in
the last competition are inclined to fight |
shy of another such, and it appears that |
quite a tempest has been stirred up.