New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-30
NAY DEFEAT ART UNION.
OPPOSITION UNW4VERING
COlumbia's Scheme Bad for Student
and academy, Says Beckxith.

s Another bitter attack on the plan of Presi-
dent Butler Of Columbia University to transfer
the schools Of the National Academy OF Design
to the university made yesterday by J. Car
roll Beckwith, of the National Academy and
vice president OF the Municipal Ara Commits
sion. Although President Dielnlan of the Ma
tiOnal Academy has been authorized to execute
the agreement early in June It is hoped by the
opposition that the scheme may yet be defeated
In a talk with Tribune reporter yesterday
Nh Beckwith said the occurrences since the
meeting Of the National Academy, at which the
measure was put through, and the interviews
with academcians all tended to shew that the
action was precipitate Mr. Beckwith went on:
There are two logical and fundamental reasons
Why This alliance should not take place, one from
The point Of view OF the student and the other
from maj OF the ae;1oeny. There is htile doubt
that the ideal school is the ateher Gu maitre as
Ius Duran and others. This was created by 4
body " ten or a dozen students. who had already
e.ir him 10 become their pstron or teacher
Thfv rented studio near the artists residence
divided the expense among themselves, elected a
twice every week the visits of the master.
Next the private atelier comes the ecoe upon
schools mas been modelled. The various depart
IN additial classes in painting from still life, etch
ing and Illustrating, and q class in medal design
Soln6is Tniversity- if concenfTated at home in
Sri5icism -'''''7' "'''''1 '''''' Inns ''-
MI. Beckwith declared that the art student
must be largely handled to produce the best re-
suits through his emotions. lad, therefore,
could not commence really too young TO learn
TO draw and to obtain the mastery of the pencil.
He continued:
Encumber him at this time with art theories and
art criticisms. Ia Ruskin. and you confuse him
and lead him away from the one great oo1ect 10
The academy schools large number of very gifted
Young Hebrews from the East Side. IheE come
they very Door When mention was made 10
cent distribution Of prizes it evident that the
students are almost unanimously against this al
Il is further suggested that fees should be
ST tf3owment To-Day Of $4,000 enabling US to run
our schools without cost TO the academy or to the
students. The university will have TO continue our
classes under moro or less the same instrnctor r
who T Pc nanpsTe6 Py a lay 6 GireGe and
freedom Of action of our school directors will be
Lectures are promised on art criticism and his
tory Possibly n0hg rs more tb s0to OF Of the the
technical problem Of drawing and the MYSTERY, OF
has been made of the Metropolitan Museum Of
Art being connected Gannot see how TINS goes
privilege We can obtain to-day.
Mr. Beckwith. said it had been. stated that the
present council and board of officers of the
academy were tired Of the labor and annoyance.
In his opinion they certainly should not allow
their names to,be proposed for office II they were
not willing 10 assume the labor. Mr.. Beckwith
went on:
We were threatened that If we did not speedily
accept this very sided proposition from the
university the university would start its art school
itEelf and this great opportunity would be lost!
For a number OF years the university has been
wrestling with a painting and drawing depart
rsaent and the same has not prospered- To get
possession Of a thoroughly organized and historic
academy would certainly be e very greetS boon TO
the university and deprive city OF the best
gained and equipped art school II has ever had
Added impetus viii no doubt be given TO the life
Of SUCH schools as the Art Students League and
Nevz-York school Of Artywhen it is known that the
academy schools have become shackled. These
schools, however, are governed by students entirely
who open 10 the influence of temporary fads.
We occupy at present in the art world here the
middle ground. .,
Now, to the academy Certainly, the institution
longer continue under this title the
Academy Of Design AS the transfer IS intended
by many be pern1an emit our academy becomes lit
tie than exhibiting society. The purchase
some seven years ago of the sixteen city lots the
Cathedral Boulevard for the placing thereon OF our
schools released US from taxation. The removal
az the schools will necessarily restore the land to
the taxable list. and. doubt prompt the academy
TO seG property The total assets OF our tnitu
ton will not even then be sufficient to purchase a
suitable site downtown for the holding ofsits ex-
hibitions.