Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-08

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school. But the school will be here,
anyhow.
Many Locations offered
A good many admirable locations
were offered for sale. Henry r. Hunt
ington proffered to the committees their
choice of four magnificent hills within
the city limits-one of them included
about 100 acres at $4,000 per acre-as a
free gift. The Southwest society goes
consistently on the principle that the
best in the world is just about good
enough for this community. After
careful and repeated examination of all
sites offered 1t found for itself better
site and secured an option. Mr.. Hunt
ington himself conceded that for the
purpose of museum meant to last it
would be better to pay $4,000 for it's
hill than to accept his own most gener-
Gus offer.
For more than year this matter has
been going on steadily If quietly. The
whole has been due to the extraordinary
activity of city which within this
same term has most generously
endowed the Young Mems Christian
association, the Young Women's Chris
tian association, the Fiesta and other
public spirited causes. Last December
1t became necessary to take decisive
action. By direction of the executive
committee Henry w. O'Melvey closed
the deal, purchasing for $4,000 the 3S.6S
acres in the Hunter tract, occupying
the last hill on the west as one goes out
the valley of the Arroyo Seco toward
Pasadena before arriving at Highland
Park, and exactly overlooking the
middle of Sycamore Grove
Site Half Paid For
Mr.. O'Melvey has conducted the cam
paign for funds thus far single-handed;
he not only secured concession of
$4,000 on the selling price (reducing it to
S45,oO0) but paid down $4,000 cash on
January S, 1907, and $4,000 cash on
March 5, 1907, besides $11O interest.
This leaves $4,000 principal to be paid,
with interest at 6 per cent. The
museum foundation committee will be
called together at once and a canvass
made for these funds and for the money
to begin actual building.
Its Beginning
In 1879 President Charles w. Eliot,
President Charles Eliot Norton of Har-
ward and other distinguished scholars
founded the Archaeological Institute Of
America. It's name said archaeology,
but its purpose, as stated by its
founder, was general culture. For
nearly twenty-eight years this dean of
American scientific bodies has been a
prominent feature in American scholar
ship.
1t founded and still maintains the
world famous schools in Athens,
Rome and Jerusalem. 1t has done more
than any other American body to make
classical art known to the American
public-and also the knowledge of early
America. 1t was responsible for the
exploration of Bandelier, whose re-
ports are the corner stone Of our knowl-
edge of the southwest. Last summer
this institute was Incorporated by act
Of congress and thus became a body of
national scope. Already in co-opera-
ton with the government bureau of
it p is districting North
America for scientific exploration. It
will also found either in the south
west or in the City of Mexico an Amer
Ican school of archaeology in which
It will be Joined by several of the |
greatest museums of Europe.
Local Branch Young
Three years ago the Southwest So
,iety of the institute was founded with |
headquarters in this city. The insti-
ute, nearly a quarter of a century old, |
lad about 1900 members, including most
If the leading educators and scholars
# the United States. There were fif-
cen affiliated societies. In it's second
rear the Southwest society was
largest of them all; there
ire twenty societies and the Southwest
iociety has so per cent more members
han any of them.
1t has now about one-fifth of the total
of the institute and ex-
,ects in another year to have one-half.
rhe Southwest society was the first to
become other than merely a con-
ributing body. 1t was chartered only
lpon its own condition that it's work,
While for the benefit Of the worlds
scholarship, should be essentially and
lrst for this community. 1t has, by this
tep, entirely changed the policy of the
institute until it has caused several
'ther societies to undertake active work
or their communities instead of merely
unding the publications and the
classical work of the institute.
Prominent Men Members
It's membership of 400 includes many
# the foremost men and women of
California, besides President Roosevelt,
PAUL Morton, President Ripley of the
santa re anu OlHeT ulSllnSulbneu
asterners It's first president was the
ate j. S. Slauson. The present officers
ire j. o. Koephi, president; Gen. Har-
ison Gray Otis. Henry w. O'Melveny,
Or. George F, Bovard and DIR. Norman
Bridge, vice presidents; w. c. Patter-
ION, treasurer; Charles f. Lummis. sec
etary; DR.. F. M. Palmer, recorder and
CURATOR; Maj. e. w. Jones, j. A,
Toshay, DIR. j. II. Martindale, Mary %.
Foy, Mrs. w. II. Housh, DIR. f. M.
Palmer, DIR. C. j. K Jones, William II.
3urnham, John D. Bicknell, Joseph
scott and Charles F. Lummis, execu-
i've committee.
The real object of founding the South
vest society was as a basis and feeder
or a great free public museum to be
1uilt in this city for the southwest--a
museum not only OF archaeology, but OF
history art and every other depart-