New-York tribune., 1909-04-01
APPROVE ARSENAL SITE
IN FAVOR
-VOTE. II TO +,
Thank Legislators Uh0 Introduced
Measures to 14II0zC Exhibiting
Gallery IN Central Park.

At a meeting Of the National Academy or
Design held in it's rooms at 109th street and
Amsterdam avenue, last night d resolution IA
voring the plan to put its gallery in Cehtral
Park on the site OF the Arsenal, was approved
by vote of 81 TO :. The seven who voted
against the plan were J. G. Brown. Charles ii.
Miller r NJ. Shurtleff, George H. Smiliie. James
Smillie, George H Yewell and George W. May
nard. Among the more prominent members VINO
voted in favor of the proposition were Herbert
Adams J. Carroll Beckwith. ]. n Alexander E
H Blashfeld, Kaf, Bitter and Howard r. Butler
BY this action the members place themselves
on record as favoring the charter revision
which would permit the Arsenal to be suppant~
ed by building to be Jointly used by the Park
Department and the Academy for the exhibition
of contemporary American painting and sculpt-
ure They also voted thanks to Senator Grady
and Assembyman Francis. who introduced the
bills to bring about this end in the state Legis-
lature The men who voted against the project
are included among the oldest members of the
Academy but the final vote found many con-
verts from the ranks of those who have hereto
fore opposed the site for the new building
The academctans were in session for several
hours. and allowed every member to give an ex-
preston of his views in regard to the project
They are strongly optimistic about the legisa
tive outcome. The following resolution
passed.
Whereas There are now pending in the As
semhly and the Senate of the State of New York
two measures designed to permit the erection
and construction by this society OF a building n
Central Park in place of the former State Ar
senal which building is TO be constructed wholly
at the expense of this society. and is to be oc-
Cupied in part by the Department of Parks or
the city of New York and in part hv this So
oiety. said bills being designated in the Senate
by the uumL Lers 3s1 and 3S2; and.
Whereas The pending measures nave Oeen IN
troduced at the request of the council Of this
society in f,Irtherance Of the desire to afford
the citizens of New York facilities for enjoy
ment and instruction in contemporary art ex-
hibted under public auspices. but without pub
lie expense: and
Whereas 1t has been the desire of this society
10 locate these galleries intended for the public
benefit in a situation where they might be con-
vcnientiy accessible for the people; now, there
fore be il
Resolved That the president and secretary be.
and tho, hereby. are directed TO communicate
10 the senate and Assembly the sense of this
meeting. and urgent petition that they Ntl
enact into Law the amendment of our charter
proposed by the pending bills so that IL may be
possible to enter With the city of New York into
such agreements rs that municipality may by
Law be permitted to make looking to the es-
tablishment OF this public facility.
Now that tho fun meeting Of the academicians
has declared itself tor the bills before the SEN
at and Assembly. the members of the academy
viii exert every effort to break down all oppo-
sitioE 10 the selection OF the Arsenal the uHlg
site When the bills come up for further hear
iugs at Albany before the various Assembly and
Senatorial committees. they Will have delega-
tions present to speak for the academy.
The academy plans to erect a building which
will cost 100000. and 1t is intended that the
new building. although It will have a greater
area than the Arsenal will not encroach further
than the westerly wall of the old building. 1t
will thus manage to keep without the grounds
now occupied BY the meragerie. which makes
semi-circle outside this wall Its extension will
be easterly. and will reduce the space at pres
cnt between the Arsenal front and the Fifth
avenue park wall. The academy purposes to
give the Park Department the lower floor, re-
serving tho upper floor. only two floors are
projected for its gallery purposes. The cost of
maintenance will hc borne by the members OF
the academy in consideration of the grant of the
site.
The t,yo bills. both of which were drawn up
by Corpora zion Counsel Pendeton. have been
introduced in the Senate one is up for its third
reading before the higher body. while the other
has been passed TO the Assembly and has
been referred TO the Committee on Affairs of
cities one public hearing has already been
held before this latter committee