The Indianapolis journal., 1902-11-02

finds 1t necessary to live on the profit he
one else has made for him, only those who
are economically free and therefore not de-
pendent upon their work for their bread
and butter dare TO produce for anything
else than profit. Who is there among the
arts and crafts people who is simplifying
the kitchen stove, which in this century
replaces the altar place Of the ancient
world, and has, because of tradition, an
art idea? here is no interest felt in
kitchen stoves by those who can pay for
them, and so the present denominations
stand while new designs in burnt-wood hall
seats and silver candelabra find ready
sale.'
THE WORK IS COPIED.
Thus is the arraignment stated by one
critic, yet the workers stand justified in the
next breath "No fault can be found with
the men and women who devote themselves
to the work of supplying these demands;
they are making the most Of their oppor-
tunities to do congenial work; and the good
designs will undoubtedly be initiated in
cheaper machine-made articles, which will
be pleasing, though not so filled with the
individuality of the maker. There is no
more reason why an artist should dislike
to have his work copied and duplicated a
thousand fold than that an author should
refuse TO have more than one copy OF a
book on sale. Yet the prejudice is SO strong
that modern disciples overlook the breadth
of spirit which William Morris advocated
when he said: In the making of wares
there should be some OF the spirit OF the
handicraftsman, whether the goods be
made by hand or by a machine that helps
the hand or by one that supersedes it
The enthusiasts among the craftsmen who
are taking up the problem or decorating
the interior of the home insist upon COUP
ling their work with the Norris and Rus
kin ideas of socialism. They hope TO lead
a revolt against "brutalizing'' work-work
that is uninspired and prearranged to dull
the workers brain. And at least one COM
munity of furniture makers claim that they
are successfully combating that idea. Here
they make useful and attractive articles at
very moderate cost, and the market is
steadily widening, until now branch agen-
cies are established in almost every city
of size in the country. The workers are
skilled and practiced, and their wages are
works there 1t is claimed. is permitted to
plan and develop whatever piece of furni-
ture he is interested in, so that the general
laws of simplicity. dignity and proportion
are observed. This firm declares their be-
lief I'm Morriss proposition that:
.'It is right and necessary that all men
should have work to do which shall be
worth doing, and be pleasant to do, and
which should be done under such conditions
as would make 1t neither overwearisome
nor overanxious.
But whether it be from a broadly phian-
thropic or purely commercial impulse, the
idea of simplifying and solidifying furni-
ture has taken hold, and the monstrous
plush, with the spindling-legged gilt stuff.
is going TO the cellars and the tenements,
where bright color is more desired than
comfort. The antique pieces are being coll
lected eagerly, for IL is recognized that
they were wrought well and beautifully.
Veneer and much varnish, nor gilt nor deep
plush, can save shoddy, ugly thing in the
home where the gospel OF simplicity and
beauty and utility Is once accepted.