The Washington times., 1903-05-26
Friends of the Idea of Ma
tional Gallery Hope Way
May Be Found to Bring
Treasures to Capital City.
Intimation Given by Great
Financier to Washington
Friends of His Desire to
Garry Out Grand Plan.

OpA1C Interest III the prospective I'M
portation TO this country of j. Pierpont
Morgans extensive collection of rare
works of art, now in his London resi-
dence, has grown TO such an extent that
attention has been focused on the tariff
provisions which bar out such articles
EXCEPT under heavy duties. II is unoffi-
cially estimated that the amount which
Mr.. Morgan would have to pay the Gov
eminent under the present tariff, In or
der to enjoy in this country the valuable
paintings and other art treasures he
possesses in his foreign home, would be
$4,000 600 The reported intention of
Mr.. Morgan to found a national gallery
in Washington to receive these treasures
becomes more than ever interesting in
consequence of the great inancier's I'M
varying opposition to the existing tariff
on imported works of art.
Special Legislation Needed.
Except under special legislation by
Congress, Mr. Morgan cannot bring his
foreign art works to his New York house
without paying the full'duties prescribed
by law. There is not the slightest pos
sibility. it is thought, that the hearts OF
the national solons will be melted to
such an extent as 10 grant special favors
to the great trust and merger man. even
to insure the Importation of these treas
ures. But there is belief that some
compromise plan may be agreed upon,
through which the greater number of the
pictures win be given to the nation as
nucleus for a national gallery in consid-
Grafton of the free admission of the
whole collection Mr.. Morgan might then
be permitted to retain few of the
choicest examples of the old masters
for his private collection. There are
500 pictures now in his London house
In all the years that Mr.. Morgan has
been collecting rare works in Europe,
he has silently protested against the
principle of taxation which prevented
his own countrymen having the enjoy
nent of these masterpieces.
The Tax on Art
Even if the pictures had been de-
posted in his private gallery in New
York. entirely aside from any philan-
thropic intentions, there is not the
slightest doubt that any of them could
haYe-beens secured from time to time
for public exhibition in loan collec-
lions Mr. Morgan has done this abroad
and probably no one will believe he
would have been less generous at home.
There is no assurance that the fnan-
cier has changed his ideas in the least
regarding the practically prohibitive tar
if on high art. It ranges from % 10 60
per cent on various kinds of works of
art. Mr.. Morgans conference, last
spring, with Secretary Shaw was not
productive of any understanding on the
point of admitting the collections free
of duty, and the fnancier went away
disappointed. 1t is thought, therefore
that when the pictures loaned to Con-
tinental museums are brought back TO
Mr.. Morgan,s London house in accord
ance with recent orders to his agents.
the works of art may be kept there
awaiting possible action by Congress on
the tariff. or they may even be sent 10
New York in bond IN furtherance of the
plan
Much>lik the original American patri-
OTIS, Mr.. Morgan seems to have millions
TO expend for his country's good, but
mot enc cent for tribute" under tariff
exactIcns. The chance of the works OF
art coming to the Capital for national
gallery is regarded as the most probable
outcome OF the matter.
Intimated to Westinghouse.
The philanthropic purpose of Mr. Nor
gan, and mis- desire TO perpetuate his
name in way that few men could
ever hope for. was intimated to a few
Washington friends on the occasion If
Mr.. Mergan's visit to Washington in
the carly spring. when he vas returning
from a short trip TO Cuba. The news
was Impaired in the strictest confidence.
on condition that no mention of the plan
should be made so long the financier
was in this country. This promise was
exacted lest he be deluged with advice
and opportunities OF all sorts, such as
have fallen to the lot of Andrew Carne-
gle. Henry Phipps, John D. Rookie
Teller, and other phiIanthgoDists when
ever some new plan Of theirs gained pub
1eity.
This condition of secrecy was thor
oughIy kept until the cable announce
ment from abroad, early last week, that
Mr.. Morgan had requested the return of
pictures he had loaned to Continental