Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-30
Mr. FREER'S OFFER
Art Objects Valued at Over
100000.
ALSO A BU IL D [ N G
FOR THEIR HOUSING TO COST
S5oO,Ooo.
Question of Acceptance to Come Up at
Meeting of Smithsonian Re-
gents Next Tuesday.

Tfe regular called meeting of the board
of regents of the Smithsonian Institution
will be held next Tuesday at which time
one of the most important matters to re-
ceive consideration will be the offer made
by Mr. Charles L. Freer of valuable art
collection This gift was rendered in a
letter addressed to the regents on the
9th of last December and embraced not
only works of art worth upward of $780,,
900, but a building of appropriate design
to cost an additional $500,00o AT the
time the offer was made it's generosity
was so manifest that the desirability of
acceptance seemed unquestioned, and yet
not only does it still hang fire, but the
present outlook is for rejection.
Mr. Freer was of James McNeill
Whistlers art executors, and his collection
comprises between 5T5 and 900 of this ia
nous artists etchings and dry paints, about
$50 Autographs, At of his paintings in oil,
including some which are most celebrated.
80 water colorS, q paStelS and 8 drawings,
to say nothing of the peacock room" 1t
also includes collection of oriental art OBJ
jects second to none save that in the pos
session of the Museum of Fine Arts, Bos
ton, and n group of paintings by American
artists of foremost standing.
Three Stipulations.
This he offered to the nation through the
Smithsonian Institution, making the three
stipulations: First, that, while bearing the
expense of the building in which it was to
be house he should have the selection of
the design; second, that it should be known
as the Freer Gallery, and third, that after
his death nothing should be added to the
collection.
He requested, however, at the same time
that an expert committee be appointd to
examine and appraise the collection-that
its value might be established beyond the
optional opinion of its owner. This was
not acceded to. But instead, two of the
regents visited Mr.. Freer in February and
tentatively talked the matter over with him.
They suggested that it might be better for
Mr.. Freer to establish a national galleT
or national school of art--that he migxss
do various helpful things which he had not
proposed-but in the collection itself be-
trayed very little warm interest
The board of regents of the Smithsonian
Institution is composed of Melville W. Full
Ter. chief Justice of the United States chan
pore U. S. Senate; Shelby NJ. Cullom, mem
Der of the Senate; Robert r. Hit, Robert
Adams, jr, and Hugh A Dinsmore men,
bers of the House of Representatives.;
drew D. White of New York, Richard Oh
ney, Massachusetts,; George Gray, Della
ware; John B. Henderson and Alexander
Graham Bell of Washington. The execu-
n
derson, Bell and Hit, NTH the secretary of
the institute, Mr.. S. P. Langley.
Postponed From March Meeting.
At the annual March meeting-the first
after Mr.. Freers offer was received-there
was an insufficient number present to con-
slider. it was stated, so monentous a
question. and with little explanation to the
public or Mr.. Freer the question of ac-
cember
1t was learned at that time that certain
very definite objections We're raised by
those in whose hands the decision rested,
chief among which was the case of main
tenance. By the regents it was estimated
that this would involve yearly expend-
ture of about $4,000.
This would include heat, light, janitor
service and curator's salary = and would
naturally be, with restricted resources, a
subject of reasonable moment Though not
officially stated, it has been understood
from reliable sources that Mr.. Freer stands
ready to place with the regents in trust a
sufficient sum to cover permanently the
salary of the curator, and with this assur-
ance, the yearly outlay would be reduced
TO an almost nominal sum. To this per-
haps is due the recent REIMBURSEMENT of
this objection in the place of which, how
ever. has now been instituted the expressed
fear that if the collection be accepted as it
stands, with the stipulation that il cannot
be added to or altered, it may in years to
come depreciate in value and prove meta
phorically white elephant on the hands
of the nation. That Whistler has an estab-
| lished reputation today none can deny. and
that the value of the oriental art objects
Will be increased by time and resultant
scarcity, Mr.. Morse, the Boston expert has
warmly testified
Offer May Be Withdrawn.
Mr. Freer believes that Washington is
| destined TO become the American art CEN
| ter and for this, well as patriotic rea-
| sons, he is anxious to have his collection
placed in this city. He has not, however
been gratified by the way his offer has been
| received, and should there be further delay
| next Tuesday there is good reason to be-
! lieve that the offer will be permanently
1 withdrawn