New-York tribune., 1903-07-31

sign OF combination fountain and trough that
provides liquid refreshment for men. horses and
dogs. 1t is about as practical an affair
can possibly conceive of. and in my opinion it
would be difficult for the ordinary person to
perceive why this combination fountain and
trough is not at least ornamental. if not abso-
lutely artistic. The Board Of Aldermen has al
ready granted US permission to erect six Of these
fountains. The Municipal Art Commission
however, whose permission. under the charter
it is necessary for us to obtain. has arbitrarily
refused to sanction the erection of these foun-
tains in the streets Of the city.
WOULD NOT SUGGEST A DESIGN
IT have asked the commissioners to give me
idea of what kind of a design would suit
their artistic sense but they summarily replied
that this was not their business 1t seems to
me to be crying shame that the useful and
humane work of this society should be hampered
by the artistic susceptibilities Of these gentle
men. There is no doubt that these troughs are
most urgently needed although I must take ex-
cepCon TO The Trlbune'S editorial or WedneS-
Gay tnat the city is only scantlly provided with
drinking accommodations for horses. There are
( at the present time Manhatta Island alone
/ 2Sl such drinking places, which is as good
record as that of any other city. STILL If The
tribune and other newspapers would aid US in
obtaining public contributions and the Art
Commission would withdraw its arbitrary op
position, l should like very much TO erect one
/
streets"
Jacob A Cantor, President of Manhattan Bor-
/ ough, said yesterday that The Tribune had his
most nearly support in its agitation for more
troughs for horses.
Al his Office, John De Witt Warner president
OF the Municipal Art Commission, said:
1t is true that the commission did veto the
design for a drinking trough for horses sub
mltted 10 US by the Society for the Prevention
OF Cruelty 10 Animals, because we considered
the design extremely inartistic. The Art Com
mission is heartily in sympathy with every
movement 10 make our city comfortable for all
IN it, man or beast. 1t does not believe, how
ever that for this purpose it is necessary to de-
lace instead OF TO adorn, the city. believe that
any pubic utility, such as the proposed trOughs,
can be so planned as 10 be thoroughly artistic,
and at the same time Of moderate cost. When a
really artistic solution is found it is generally
the most simple and economical so that it may
volved.
When President Haines szys that nothing
artistic could be designed that would not cost
considerably more than the plans have dis
approved. he has too little faith in the resources
Of art. Let him give some Of his artistic friends
a chance"
MR.. WARNER EXPLAINS.
Asked concerning President Haines's com
plant that the commission had refused to sug-
gest the kind of design it deemed suitable. Mr..
Warner said:
Fortunately, or unfortunately, the jurisdlc-
ton OF the Art Commission is limited 10 the ap-
proval or disapproval of the designs submitted.
II would be distinctly outside Of our province 10
suggest design. We confidently expect 10
have submitted to more practical, more ar
tstic, and, in proportion its usefulness, even
less costly design than these which we have ols-
approved
I have heard. too, that the expense OF these
fountains is generally met by private contr1ou.
| tions. This strikes plea for a more
artistic design, for giver certainly ought 10 ger
the best for his money and l think l know
enough about human nature to predict that IN
| this wealthy CITY there would be ten times as
| many gifts for these troughs If the design were
| artistic enough to be a memorial 70 the giver-
Daniel P. French, the sculptor, who was re,
| Gently member Of the Art Commission. AMI
| who was one OF the commissions committee OF
three which rejected President Haines's design
| said:
7 do not care to pass any criticism on the
| design, al l am no longer member Of the com,
mission. ! merely ask you TO look al IL ana
| judge for yourself. II certainly seems 10 me a
shame that where much effort is being mace
10 beautify this city public utility OF inartisuc
| character should be permitted 10 have place
| on our streets when the same utility could De
designed with a due regard 20 art"