New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-11
URGE ART UNION.
Amalganration of National academy
and american Artists Favored.

ana Amer1cGn Artists FGTOred.
Copies Of the report OF the COMMITTEES of confer
euce on possible union of the National Academy
VI oesgn and the Society Of American Artists were
sent yesterday to all the members OF the two
eieties preliminary to the calling OF meetings for
Its consideration.
This affords the first opportunity for members TO
iearn the details OF the proposed merger. Although
'he report has been approved by tho council OF the
academy, IT viii require two-thirds vote OF the
whole body OF academicians to adopt the necessary
amendments to the constitution
The report says that ffty-one Of the present
academicians. clear majority not only OF the
nnety-eisht actual. but of the possible hundred
acadenicians. are members OF the society.
forty-four out OF nnety-fve associates. while OF
total membership OF iS4 there only thirty
nine members OF the society who are in no way
connected with the academy.
Inc report says. IN part:
separats any longer reason for maintaining as
nearly the same in personnel and spirit? II the
ley mas become more conservative. the academy
S1ons held In the same building and managed large
would sometimes be dricns 10 know. II one w.rs
HeL uown suddenly in OF them without cata-
II evident that f such Duplication of function
% great waste Of effort and labor and that the
anu ss more economically performed by one. while
artists before the public would De raised by union
when almost exists in fact, IL not in name II Is
ton in New-York are aItogether insufficient Tor the
bP ~ or american ar. ana me sreaaer
great exhibition building. in which something Ike
more NECESSARY bIt the yres+est o5stacIs TO the at
tsinment OF such a building is the indinerence or
the country be split up into pickering sects and
y exists be made a1paIent Ist th srtsts Of Amer
lea form dignified: united and powerful body and
There is little doubt that the public would supply
Ine FUNDS necessary to endow such an instituuon
For such body there could be no better name s
would, obviously. need to be a body OF more flexible
organization than that OF the academy as now
amend it's cons fs a 70 secure this sxbility
the society can afford to sink its identity. feeling
The safeguarding of material and property IN
the clash Of different principles of organization
The National Academy IS organized on the lines
privilege and limitation OF membership. The So
o,ety OF American Artists Is free SOCIETY. ossea
privilege There are merits in both systems; Is II
RsmP Your n comee has SPENT uch 3So&gh
and time in the study OF the problem and believes
practicable. No compromlse viii satisfy the
ory on on glnsT SIDE 6sI nPe d IN bs e
the basis OF solid union.
tension of the power and Influence Of the associates
For the administration OF the business and financial
continuity and dignity OF that body, the acade
we propose substantial enlargement OF their
Der Immediately on the union OF the two societies
All members Of the society not already acade-
micians associates should become associates but
inc number OF associates should be unlimited. and
the associates should have voting power In the
election OF new associates and in the nomination
or academtcianS, and equal voice with the
academicians in the choice of turies. and equal
chance TO serve upoI. jur1es. In all matters con-
nected with the artistic mana cement OF exhibitions
they would be in the position that members OF the
society
Your committee recommends that the fury system
OF the Society OF American Artists be adopted for
the academy with the exception that each acad-
emCian and associate be entitled TO exhibit one
work exempt from examination by the Jury. An
academy so constituted would admit talent
10 it's ranks as easily the society does and
recruits. which should prevent it's stihening into
too rigid a conservatism while its historic dignity
and prestige would be amply safeguarded.
While the number OF associates is TO be uniirn-
tied the number Of academicians will be limited TO
E6 painters. % scuiptors and Is architects OF
gravers The jury is to consist OF thirty men,
bers three of whom will constitute hanging
committee. and for such jury all acaden1icians and
associates shall be eligible
The property now owned by the society, consist
ing principally OF fftynine shares OF the American
Fine Arts Society and FIVE second mortgage bonds
OF the United States Steel Corporation. will be
transferred TO the academy. The society however.
will be perpetuated IN form other by which
It's name be preserved and not fall into the
hands OF strangers or INSCRIPTIONS people.
The members OF the committee For the
academy, Frederick Dlelman the president; c. Y.
Turner and Harry ". Watrous, and. for the so
ciety. Kenyon Cox, Robert Henri and Samuel