New-York tribune., 1903-07-14
NATIONAL ART GALLERY.
Report of Mr. ,Morgan's Intended
Gift Not Confirmed an Washington.
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Washington, July 13.-O1ficers and members
OF TIE board Of trustees of the Corcoran Gal
lery of Art are unable to confirm the report re-
Gently printed that J. Pierpont Morgan con
templates giving his $4,000 600 collection OF
pictures as q nucleus OF a national gallery OF
art, which he would ask Congress to establish
by legislation next winter. Charles c Glover
treasurer and member of the board of trustees
Of the Corcoran Gallery, said to-day that. so far
as he knew. Mr.. Morgan had never expressed
any intention of sending his collection to Wash
ington- The Corcoran Gallery, he said, had al
ways been regarded as a national gallery. If
MI. Morgan would be willing to build a gal
lery for his collection alongside the Corcoran
Gallery. he would be very glad to see him do it,
as the capacity of the present building is in
adequate to accommodate any extensive coliec-
ton properly.
Z. F. Mcclure. director of the Corcoran Gal
Iery. and also a member of the board of trus-
tees. said he had heard nothing Of the reported
intention Of Mr.. Morgan to send his art collec-
tion to Washington. and knew nothing Of the
reported movement for national gallery.
Frederick Dielman. president of the National
Academy of Design. in a talk yesterday with
Tribune reporter in regard to a proposed na-
tional gallery of art in Washington, and the
transfer there Of the entire collection of piet-
ures and other works Of art owned by j. Pier
and hoped it was true. There was only one
view to be taken of the matter. which that
Its accomplishment was highly desirable. Mr..
Dielman said he would be glad TO see the Nor
gan collection in New-York. but he would be
unwilling to volunteer any criticism Of details
of such d plan formulated by men who were
willing to put it into execution.
Mr.. Dielman did not know whether or not the
proposed movement to establish a national gal
nm
dertaken in June 1901. by Francis Howard Of
No. Q Upper Cheyne Row. London. Mr. Howard
at that time announced that. having visited
Washington and laid the proposal for an Ameri-
national gallery before the President and
Secretary of State, he had been assured that
the proposal perfected in detail, on the lines
of existing European institutions. would meet
with official approval and would find recon-
mendation in a Presidential message. The Sec
retary of State, he said. issued to him circular
letter to American diplomatic and consular Of
icials generally. to facilitate investigation Of
the constitutions and working systems Of the
national galleries Of Europe. Following the in
vestigation there was to be issued a double
appeal to the government and the nation at
large. An associate committee was formed
comprising John w Alexander, William NJ
Chase, Frederick Dielman, John La Fargo,
Frederick Macmonnies, Carl Mechers, joseph
Peunell, John S. Sargent, Augustus ST. Gaudens,
James Mcneil Whistler and others.
Mr.. Dielman accepted place on the COM
mittee but could not speak for the others, as
the replies were sent to Mr.. Howard in London.
Mr.. Howard gave Mr.. Dielman to understand
that he had received encouragement from nigh
government officials, and had reason to expect
the backing of men who were able, at least, to
put such an enterprise on its feet. No meeting
of the committee, however. was ever held, and
after It's formation nothing more was heard
from Mr. Howard The location of the proposed
national gallery was left open. as Mr.. Howard
had found a difference of opinion to whether
it should be established in Washington or New