The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-09-22
ART SOCIETY LOSES OFFICERS
SECRETARY SHEAN HAS QUIT.
PRESIDENT COOMBS WILL.
directors Unwilling TO Disclose what the
Disturbance Was About Of Their Last
Meeting. but the Use OF Municipal Art
s,ciety Stationery Figured In IL.

UlTtFlotb ~ te4 ~
Disturbance Wa About ut Their Last
Meeting, but the Use OF Municipal Art
s,ciety Stationery Figured in IL.
President William J. Coombs OF the
Municipal Art Society said yesterday
that there was no doubt that he would
ouit the presidency OF the society with
the expiration Of his term next month;
that he was not a candidate for reeleo-
ton. He said, when asked about the
disturbed conditions in the society which
led to the open rupture at the last direc-
tors meeting that Mr.. Charles r. Lamb
or Mr.. Frederick s. Lamb. both widely
known in tho art world OF New York.
could tell more about the society than
he could, as thoy knew more about II.
Il was elected president only last year
he said, -and l live In Brooklyn. while
the Municipal Art Society LIS a Manhattan
institution and I have many other things
to do besides give attention to its affairs.
Mr.. Frederick s. Lamb knows all about
il. as he has given much attention to 1t.
The directors, however. by a resolution
adopted about a year ago ordered that no
publicity should be given to the society's
affairs except through the directors. so
there is nothing more that I can say
Calvin Tomkins. ex-president Of tn,
society, said that he had spent the summer
in Europe and knew less Of the society
than when he was president Mr.. Tom
kins said that he was present at the last
board meeting. when references to some
I'll feeling in the society were unpleas-
antly strong. but that when an insufficient
number Of members Of q society took
enough interest to get in and do actual
work beyond lending their names to
committees there were quite sure to be
sooner or later accusations that the more
active were running the show.
Systematically Mr.. Tomkins acknowl-
edged that Questions regarding the
use Of the society's stationery for ac4uir-
ing information had come up at the last
board meeting. but like. Mr.. Coombs. he
understood that a former resolution Of
the board forbade publicity Of the So
ciety's affairs except through the board.
Mr.. Coombs had referred to the u
seI Of the society. Nelson 8. Spencer, who
fed to SPEAK Il any speaking were to be
done. Mr.. Spencer. however. said that
the society WI a purely private organisa-
ton and that he did not feel called upon
to speak for 1t,
When informed that the president had
referred inquiries to him as the sotiety's
counsel MI. Spencer said that he could
10 their oounsel-and pay for the priv
ilege; his services to the Municipal Art
Society were wholly gratuitous.
Frederick s. Lamb had nothing to say
about the society because the directors
resolution did not permit any member
n l. - " f. l
Charles r. Lamb was not accessible.
Charles NJ. Shean, the artist. another
member Of the board and for the last year
secretary Of the society. said that he knew
Il no resolution Of the directors for the
suppression Of publicity, either during
his secretaryship or prior to It,:
Human memory is falfble," he said,
10 recall it, although l have gone pretty
carefully through the records Of the Office
| held. l resigned that Office to-day, as
/ do not care to hamper the people with
whose ideas | am not in harmony.
This society has a thousand members,
most Of whom do not know zach other.
although in their good wishes toward art
the life members-and l regard It as most
unfortunate that in such a society above
all others the fullest publicity is not given
10 its proceedings and affairs. How
else shall the members be wholly in
formed? I imply nothing. But it Is my
belief that subscription societies by rea-
sen OF their very nature should court the
fullest publicity as to their general Affairs.
and avoid any such rule as the president
has said obtains here.
Il am told also that the proceedings
Of the board Of directors are oonfiden-
tial. but l find nothing In the constitution
% ordering. and I have mover 90 regarded
He added that he had resigned as score
tary, but not as M Of the directors.
Half OF the directorate must, according to
the rules. be professional men-paint-
ers, soulptors and architects-the rest
may be laymen. Mr.. Shean belongs to
the class Of 1909. The ticket nominated
for election at the coming annual meeting
& &. ' ois. s0e CT Iso sei s W mInsn r. !ef Essns,
the well known art collector who recently
felt compelled TO go TO law TO protect the
purity OF art In this country; Stephen
farelly OF the American News Com
pany and the CATHOLIC Club, and John
otraud Agar, former Judge Advocate on
t e. paSal militia stat; lay%eni IAN and Fred Fred,
Aagonisle, architect; and George +.
Brewster, sculptor. Mr.. Agar and Mr..
Brewster are new candidates, the others
arg up for reelection.
President Coombs said yesterday that
there would be no meeting OF the direc-
tors until the prescribed meeting fol-
lowing the annual meeting at which the
election takes place.
Mr.. Shean said that he had no wish
to deny that he wal the author OF the
letter to the directors Of which mention
was made yesterday morning. He re-
earded 1t as a public matter In connection
with a society whose constitution de-
clared 1t to be for the development OF
re re city along lines Of embsllishmsnt.
tuition and prescribing the secretary's
duties say that He shall conduct the
ordinary correspondence Of the society
and OF the board Of directors
DOESN'TTHINKMUCHO OF