The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-28

Of the important sculptural decorations at
the Exposition.
: meeting between Chief RuckstuhI and
Ghevslier Trentanove in the public office of
Isaac S. Taylor, Director of Works. was
witnessed by The Republic representative.
and became possessed of unusual signifi-
! cance when some of the earlier history of
. the Observation-Disclosures controversy was
learned.
Trentanove greeted Rucketuhl by extend
ing his hand and asking him if a former
meeting was recalled. Chief Ruckstuhrs )
manner became frigid. and he replied coldly
that he had some recollection of previous
acquaintance. Trentanove explained that
he had come to st. Louis at the request of
some of his friends here to perform any as
signments which might be given to him
oh, l expect We may find something to
give you replied Ruckstuhl. The manner
OF the retort rather than the mere words
were taken by those standing near to imply
that Trentauove was considered in the light
Of a suppIiant for work rather than a
sculptor asking for recognition of his ability
as an artist.
Ruckstuhl turned his shoulder on the
sculptor and cut him completely out of the
conversation. Evidently stung by this treat
ment the Chevalier withdrew from the cir
Gle. whereupon Chief Ruckstuhl began to
assail the Italians character and his work.
REFLECTIONS ON WORK.
He cast reflections upon the Italians title
of Chevalier, as meaning nothing in Italy,
and spoke of his works as being for the
most part atroCiOuS art and very badly
done. He added that Trentanove had never
done but one or two things in his career
which were entitled to any serious conSid-
Grafton. He ridculed Trentanoye's statue
of Webster in the national capital and belit-
tied the monument to Albert Pike, which
also stands in Washington, d. &.
Trentanove then called on Samuel VI.
kcnnard. First Vice President of the Expo
sition Company and Vice Chairman of the
Grounds and Buildings Committee. which
has supervision of all works on the Fdir
grounds. MIR. kennard had been the chair
man of the Committee OF Award appoint
ed to select the best design for the monu-
ment to the Confederate Dead erected last
summer at Springfield, Mo.
Both Frederick W. Ruckstuhl and Tren-
tanoye submitted designs in the competition
in fact they We're the chief competitors
before the committee. Trentanove's con-
ception was the Confederate soldier, typi-
flying the still unconquered spirit of a de
feated people. Ruckstuhrs design was that
OF winged victory, beautifully executed
allegorical figure.
The award was made to Trentanoye. The
Winged Victory of Ruckstuhl now stands
in the grounds of the Confederate Home al
Higginsville, Mo Mr. Kennard is said to
have expressed great surprise at the treat
ment of Trentanove, and promised 10 see
that fair recognition WAS accorded to him
Trentanove visited the division of Works
on the last visit to the city. and presented
letter to Director of Works Taylor. As
evidence that the Director had taken action
in the matter. Trentanove exhibited TO The
Republic representative letter which he
was preparing at the time in the general of
flee Of the division. He explained that he
had been requested by Mr. Taylor to set
down in black and white exactly what work
he desired to do in the general sculptural
scheme.
STATEMENT CONTAINED SPECIFICA-
TIONS.
This statement, which was shown to The
Republic representative. contained sDecii-
cations requesting several figures on some
Of the main buildings and one or two of the
principal groups on the main transverse
avenue of the Exposition. The letter was
submitted TO the Director. and the same
night Trentatnove took his departure for.
milwaukee,, where ne is engaged on work.
II is understood on good authority that Mr..
Taylor followed the Italian sculptor's visit
by instructions to Chief Ruckstuhl that
Trentanove must be given some of the i'm
portant work.
At the Administration building this adj
vice is construed as having everything to do
with lAe preclpltate actlon of Chief RuCk-
stuhl in handing President Francis his res
ignation. Mr.. Ruckstuhl speaks in his in
tervew given TO the press in New York as
having been treated nike Clerk by the
Director of Works and charges that the di-
rector interfered in an unwarranted manner
with his province as Chief of Sculpture.
Carl Theodore Frederick Bitter, the new
ly appointed Chief of Sculpture evidently
desires to concliate Mr.. Ruckstuhl for in
his first recommendation to the Executive
Committee of the Exposition he nominated
his desire that Ruckstuhl be asked to do
some of the work and that the retiring chief
be assigned a place on the Advisory Sculp-