New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-21
ART COMMISSION WORK.
Neso Structures Shoe Artistic I'M
pr0Uement- Study abroad.

The annual report of the Municipal Art Commits
sion, of which Robert W. de Forest is president,
says that in the current year there were los sub
missions to the commission. involving approximate
ly $1s.6OOOO0.
In each submission from to twenty-four plans
examined and passed upon. In seventy-three
submissions the designs were approved as submit
ted, and in twenty-five instances the commission
dsapproved in whole or in part. Thirteen amended
plans were submitted to the commission. In four
instances these disapproved.
New plans for five structures are now being per-
fected. The designs have shown marked inn
provement, and the commission feels that its work
has been successful in securing higher aesthetic
standard for public structures. Care has been
taken in the artistic preparation of designs that
they might have the better chance of immediate
approval
The Increase of submissions since January /.
1902. is particularly noticeable. More submissions
made upon the request of the Mayor In lSoo
than In any previous year. Practically every
structure Of any Importance was referred TO the
commission. In certain instances architects and
heads of departments have specifically requested
that their plans be submitted to the Art Commits
sion for approval before contracts were made
The report goes on to say:
The commissions collection of books. pamphlets,
periodicals. photographs and prints on civic art IN
to and extended during the current year. At this
date it contains 275 bound volumes, 1Ol maps sepa
rately mounted and catalogued, several hundreq
unbound pamphlets and between twenty three
hundred and tWenty-tOur hundred photographs ana
prints. relating about hundred citieS-maklng
ii of the best collections upon this subject IN
the United States. The library has been consulted
not only by members Of the commission. city oth-
Gals architects contractors and other citizens IN
terested in city Improvement, but TO steadily ~
creasing extent by visitors from other cities far
west the Pacific Coast, who have learned OF Its
value and comprehensive scope.
Approaching the necessity of complete cata-
logue Of the works of art belonging to the city,
the commission began the preparation of such
catalogue in 1908 In the last annual report
tentative list for the Borough Of Manhattan was
published as an appendix: During the last year
the work was extended to BROOKLYN but as in
Manhattan. the absence of accurate records and
complete data made it slow and difficult 1t is not
expected that the tentative list which appears in
an appendix to this report is complete and accu-
rate In every respect and II is hoped that the per-
sons into whose hands ii may come will assist the
commission by supplying the deficiencies and by
correcting such errors as may unaVOidably haYe
crept in. A revised list in the form of a complete
catalogue for the whole city Will then be pub
lished
DR.. Milo r. Maltbie, the assistant secretary Of
the commission. sailed for Europe recently on
six months leave of absence. and will investigate
the conditions Of public utilities In Great Britain.
DR.. MaltbIe's place will be filled during his alb
sence by DIR. John Quincy Adams. a well known
lecturer and writer on the relation OF art TO mu-
nicpal life.