New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-17
TRUSTEES DROP ELWELL.
ABOLISH HIS PLACE.
Suspended Curator of Sculpture
Calls action C0pardIy.

At quarterly meeting Of the trustees Of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art yesterday, J. Pier
pont Morgan. the president Of the museum, pre-
siding the case Of F Edwin Elwell. the sus-
pended curator of the department of sculpture,
was sunmariIy disposed of by the abolition OF
the curatorshtP OF sculpture.
Robert W de Forest secretary Of the board
and Of counsel for the trustees said the resoiu-
tions were adopted unanimously
The trustees present, in addition to MI Nor
gan and Mr.. de Forest, were D. O. Mills Joseph
H. Choate, Charles Stewart Smith, FreoerlcA
Dielman, Daniel c. French, William NJ hanan'
John S. Kennedy. John Crosby Brown Geoi &c
A. Hearn and W. T. Walters
The resolutions follow:
The trustees Of the Metropolitan Museum OF Ar
troversV between George II. Story, acting oTece1F
and curator of paintings. and +, 6 56 >. naces,
sary for them to consider this controversy Lui s i
than to reach the conclusion that both these ON
GERS cannot continue to work together for the IN
terests of the museum. 80, sor raor
Inasmuch as the plans in contemplation LOT aepI
ganizng the staff OF the museum lnyotV JIG
abolition Of any separate pJcaTned that
they deem IL for the interest OF az 80 rrsi1in Of
this pIan so far it respects the
and in such manner as TO lnV0 ta ~ +Ssse two
on their part as to the issues between lLeSe wv
Now, therefore resolved. That the curatorshp
az the 6enartn9ent Of ancient and modern statuaTy
and me suc Recruitment as separate department be
ehoItshed from and after this date, and that IN
eopseaTence Of its abolition F Edwin Elwell shall
cease from this date to hold office in the museum,
It is further resolved. in recognition OF the ST. his
salary be continued at the same rate until me
close of the present calendar year
When the news of the action of the trustees
was communicated to Mr.. Elwell in WeehawKeh
last night the sculptor said:
It is the most contemplate document-the res
olutions-I ever heard of in my life. Inc tus5
+t,1 a-f71H |
they would do. J. Crosby Brown asked me 10
resign. so that the trustees would not nave 20
take any action 1 regarded that as d Co"S@IuIS
act and refused to do
am exceedingly obliged 10 these gentlemen
for the privilege of returning to the profession
for which I am best fitted, and am GLAD 10 get
out Of the atmosphere Of q lot OF coWaroS-
Mr.. EIweu also gave out a statement pre-
senting his side of the controversy with Mr.,
Story. which had been sent to Mr.. Morgan and
the trustees as body. As to whether or not ne
would sue Mr. Story for 100000 alleged dam
ages. MI EIweu said that he had something
I'D his sleeve" which would be divulged later.
Mr. Elwelps statement to the trustees is about
five thousand words in length 1t covers in great
detail his controversy with Mr.. Story and the
letters received from the acting director and Mr.
Morgan.
Mr.. Elweu recalls in his statement letter OF
Mr.. Story, dated August 3, saying: your con-
duct at the museum this morning was OF so
fragrant character that it leaves no alternative
for me but TO close the doors Of the museum 10
YOU until after the arrival of Sir Purdon Clarke
and YOU are hereby suspended as curator OF the
department of ancient and modern statuaTy,
without pay, until after the meeting OF the
board of trustees on october 16- In sending you
the above 1 am acting under the ADVICE OF
William NJ. Laffan. trustee OF the museum.
Mr. ElwelI denied the lawfulness or the sus-
pension and demanded his salary. he has con-
finued TO receive II. Writing to Mr. Morgan
Mr. ElveiI said he conceived he had no right
before a. competent authority relieved him OF ms
office as curator. to abandon his duties Ahd'
feeling So he must resort to the courts 10 re-
instate him unless some one. to whom Mr. story
would listen called his attention to the Illegal
nature of his action a 49,,
MI. Morgan, IN reply, promised that at the
next meeting of the trustees the reIaClVe merits
of each marty would be determined
After reeiting instances of alleged interference
on the part of Mr.. Story in his (Mr. Elwells) de-
partment. Mr. Elwen recalls his fragrant con
Duct on August X when he was inspecting the
statue of "CaIlus" Mr.. Story then declared that
he was in command there, and Mr.. Elweli SAID
to him: You are a id impertinent rascal"
a policeman was called and commanded Mr..
FIweu TO accompany him. Mr.. ElweH said no
offered no forcible resistance, but that the sac
rfTeye was committed when he spoke disre-
speCtfully of the acting director.