New-York tribune., 1902-03-19
MAY APPEAL TO PRESIDENT
ARTISTS WANT PEOPLE To DEMAND
REVOCATION OF TARIFF on OLD
WORLD PICTURES.
WORLD PICTURES

WORLD PICTURES.
The artists of this city would like To have
the art tariff repealed and have recently sent
a plea for the free entrance of the WORKS
of Old World masters. 1t was urged IN TINS
plea that no possible interest could be harmed
and many could be helped by the placing on. the
free list of all works of art created fifty years
before the date Of importation. Interviews with
representative artists on the subject of free
art obtained yesterday by Tribune re-
porter:
J. Carroll Beckwith said:
subsequent to the statement which we issued
recently in The Tribune appeared letter from
r, [. Johnson. bearing date of March :, giving,
ne states. the real obstacle to free art. MIR.
johnson says he had an interview with Mr..
Payne chairman of the Ways and Means Com
mittee and that although Mr. Payne is in
sympathy with the removal Of the duty, it can
not be done on account of party policy. In
other words the Republican members are not
disposed to consider any measure for the change
from bad condition to better because they
are afraid that other matters may he urged
upon them
For ten years and more all the appeals Of the
artists, who the class affected, and the en-
lghtened and educated citizens combined, have
met with this sort OF obstacle, because some
paid lobbyist strove to maintain a duty glue
or chloroform The high protectonists had no
time TO listen to any demands for the removal
of unjust and unnecessary tax. In the
rious visits to Washington of the Free Art
League, which was successful in having the
duty removed during Mr.. Cleveland's admins
tration party politics was the hardest obstacle
we encountered.
Legislators would say: You are right; the
tax is a disgrace to our civilization, but we
really can do nothing about it, as it might open
the door to other demands The words of Mr..
Payne no doubt express the opinion Of the Re
publican majority of the Ways and Means Com
mittee where our demands viii have to go first.
Il have little hope that they will listen
10 us, and unless a very powerful public opu-
ion is brought to bear and they realize that the
continuance of this tax works of art and
antiquities which educate both our aesthetic
and commercial ideas, viii no longer be toll
Grated. nothing will be done. My profession has
repeatedly lifted its voice in this demand.
Painters and sculptors have taken their time
and spent their money in trips Washington
urging our Congressman and legislators to re
move this duty. The money that is collected
is very small, and not needed There is no com
petition and there is no reason on earth why
it should continue. but even in the face Of this
the chairman of the Ways and Means Com
be listened to.
If it is within the power Of The Tribune 90
aid in this matter I earnestly beg that it Will
do so. In the mean time being deprived
Of beholding here great works Of art which
both educating and eleyatng. and would add
greatly to the integral wealth Of our country"
i have always been in favor OF the entire
freedom Of importation OF art" said Kenyon
Cox. My feeling is that the tariff on works
American artists is concerned seems 10 act
in a directly opposite manner. We have artists
in this country Of great merit They are not
adequately recognized, but lt is not possible
to force the purchase Of native works by pro-
hibting the purchase OF foreign works of art
our artists will be properly recognized and
supported only when the general taste of the
community is far cultivated that good work
command due recognition without regard to
the place Of it's origin 10 a reputation ac-
quired IN foreign countries.
THE demand for art grows with It's supply.
and the true method of attaining a proper sup
port for American artists is through The gen
eral artistic cultivation Of the people This
cultivation comes not only through the i'm
portatiOn Of good works of art, but largely even
through the importation Of bad works of art
1t IS only through a familiarity with works Of
art good and bad, that learns to distn-
gulsh between the two, We nave tried many
times to convince Congress, but have not far
met with any encouraging success. l do be
neve, however. that civilization and education
fighting for us and that in the long run We
are bound to attain our end. Meanwhile. We
have the amusing spectacle Of the government
trying to prevent the importation Of great works
Of art, while the governments and people OF
Europe demanding, in the name Of the
civilized world, that their works of art shall
be kept at home
"One Of the most amusing instances is that of
Mrs. Jack Gardners BotucelI. The man who