The morning journal-courier., 1908-01-01
POLITICAL CAPITAL
Some Politician Should Pay Ez- penses of Opening Art
 School Sundays.
C0URIER'S PLAN DISCUSSED
Guardians Would Be Necessary; Al- ready Not a Class Eye in
 Peabody.

In its editorial columns yesterday morning this paper suggested that the authorities at Yale open the Art school and the l'eabody Museum to the pub lie Sunday afternoons precisely as they are at present open to it the other days of the week. It was point ed out that in cities abroad the mu- seums and art galleries are always open and are invariably well patron ized, and in fact are crowded. The sunday promenade up and down Chapel street was decried as a grow ing evil and the suggestion was made in the hopes that at least some part of the crowds. especially the large foreign element among them, which has been accustomed to the same thing abroad, where they came from, would jump at the chance to visit these two buildings. They are unable to do so during the week days when they are continually at work
 It Is known that the matter has been long under consideration in certain university circles. It is in line with the general policy of activity in civic mat ters which has grown with leaps and starts at Yale the last few years.
 An effort was made last evening to get Professor Dana. who is the head at the Peabody Museum, to express his opinion on the matter, but he could not be found. Neither could Pro- lessor George Grant MeCurdy. Profes- sor George F, Eaton, who is also con- nected with the museum. said last evening that he would be heartily in favor of the proposition and that he had every reason to believe that his associates would be willing to be put on record to that effect too. He said 1t was a matter to rest with the mu- scum trustees, but he feared that they might decide that the finances of the institution were not in prosperous enough condition to allow of the extra expense necessary hy the hiring of one or more guardians to be at the build- ing and see to it that no hlrm was done the valuable collections He said the trustees could apply to the miver- sity for funds for such a matter and he had good reason to believe that they would do so.
 Professor John F. Weir, dean of the ] Art school, was asked for his opinion. ! He, too was thoroughly in favor of it He said it would involve some oy- pense however. Whether it went through would depend upon the ac- tions of President Hadley and Of him. self, acting as dean of the Art school He could not say whether it would bt l put through, but he said he would b, willing to be quoted as saving that Inc intended to bring the matter befor, tho university corporation at it's nex meeting, which will be in January. f he became satisfied that there was . public demand and that the expenst involved would result in proportional, good to the public at large througl liberal and enthusiastic patronage.
 Professor John II. Niemeycr. of tht Art school, said he was not entirer sure whether the opening of the Ar school on Sundays would be met wifi the attendance that was expected. Ru he thought it would be t.n excellen plan to try it for a limited period c a month or two at least to see. H. saw no reason why the expense of tn guardians that would be necessar, could not be met by public subscrip ton or by the city government. sine, 1t was matter of civic education. 70 why could there not be found per haps' continued the professor, som wide-awake politician who would b willing to shoulder the scheme. I would seem to be that he could mak ! excellent political capital out of it." i Professor Albert C. Keller. of tn academic faculty whose connection with anthropological work and the an thropological collections of the Pea body Museum has brought him int intimate contact with museum matter. was not at first willing to speak on tn
 matter, maintaining that 1t was nc strictly in his department. Upon bein
 told that the other professors had ia vored the plan he said he was too II
 added. however, that at the museur
 there would need to be diligent watch : fulness, if great crowds attended. Tn ! specimens at Peabody are very fraeil : for the most part and must be treate
 with respect Why already the chi
 dron that go to the place week day al
 ternoOns" said inc nrofreSor "b,,,
 run off with every glass eye that tn stuffed animals can boast and man oi the fragile show cases have bee cracked where they have thoughtles. ly rested more weight on them tha
 they should"