Evening star., 1909-05-12
Delegates to Convention Con-
slider ''C0mmon Sense"
FOR BETTER DECORATION
Royal Cortissoz of New York Makes
q Strong Plea.
BOSTON TO BE AN IDEAL CITY
Report Of Committee on Constitution
and Bylaws for the Pro-
posed Federation.


ton OF art societies opened at 10 o'clock
lard Hotel. Mr.. Hutchinson. president of
the Chicago Art Institute and vice presi-
dent of the National Academy OF Art.
presided. More than hundred delegates
were in attendance.
The opening address this morning was
by Royal Cortissoz, art editor of the New
York Tribune. who took as his subject
Common Sense in Decoration and Crafts
manshio." Mr.. Cortissoz made strong
plea for better decorative work than Ia
now being done In this country and age,
urging that instead of aiming at some
thing big-such as huge mural painting
or an equestrian statue-beautiful con-
ventionaI decorations. simple fountain
or even an ornamental lamppost should
be the object.
He cited the example of the great mas
ters Of earlier days who thought 1t worth
their while to lend their genius to what Is
apt TO be termed mere decorative de-
sign." and earnestly set forth the neces-
sity for practical patronage along those
lines.
An interesting discussion followed. one
delegate calling attention to the customs
house at Baltimore. which in it's decora-
tions illustrated this theory. Another
suggested that from the practical stand
point 1t would ue well for the craftsmen
to turn their attention to the design OF
cooking stoves. and a third stated that
the only way to attain the ends Mr.. Cor
tissoz advocated was to abolish in the
lay mind distinctions in art to bring the
public to realize that there we're but two
kinds-good art and bad art.
Plans for Boston, Mass.
Sylvester Baxter, secretary of the Met
ropolitan Improvement League of Boston.
followed with an address on the aims and
accomplishments of that organization
one of the most active and successful
civic art associations in America. Mr..
Baxter also told something OF the 1918
Movement" which has been recently in
augurated. the purpose OF which is TO
make Boston an ideal city. artistically and
ethically.
George Oakley Totten's paper on the
international Congress OF Architects at
Vienna In 1908 being postponed until
afternoon. the convention then called for
the report of the committee on c0nstitu-
ton and bylaws for the proposed fedora
tion-the formation Of which was the OBJ
read by F. D. Millet, the chairman. 1t
provided that the name Of the organiZa-
ton should be "The American Federation
of Arts" the objects the amalgamation
of art institutions and organizations for
the advancement of art and the cuitiva-
ton of public taste.
That the headquarters of the organize
tiOn should be in Washington and that an
annual convention should be held In this
city, together with details concerning
membership, etc. This constitution was
adopted and the election of officers viii
follow.
Visit to White House.
The White House was thrown open to
the delegates and their families yesterday
afternoon. They were received by the
President and Mrs. Taft in the east
room. In the evening reception was
given by Hennen Jennings, the vice pres
ident of the National Society Of the Fine
Arts, at his residence, at which the dele
gates had opportunity to become ae-
quainted and to meet members of the Ma
tionai Society of the Fine Arts taking an
active interest in the convention.
The session yesterday aafternoon was
we'll attended and of much interest Miss
Florence n. Levy, editor of the American
Art Annual. spoke on the Cultivation OF
Public Taste" briefly indicating some Of
the methods which have been pursued in
Europe, giving an outline OF the Wbrk
being carried on along the same lines
in the United States and suggesting some
Of the phases OF the work that might be
carried on by cooperation through ma
tional art federation. DIR. Elmer Ellis
worth Brown. United States commissioner
Of education, spoke on Art In the Public
Schools" emphasizing the relationship OF
art to everyday life and practical educa-
tion, and mention was made by individual
delegates OF the work In the public
schools being done in Chicago, New York
and Washington.
A reception will be given the delegates
this evening by the board of trustees at
the Corcoran gallery.
Program for Tomorrow.
The program for tomorrow Is as fol-
lows:
10 am-"How a. the American Civic As
sociation Promotes Community Beauty"
by j. Horace Mcfarland of Harrisburg
Pa, President American Civic Associa-
ton for a More Beautiful America; !;
What Can Be Done BY Cooperation
for Outdoor .Art?" by Z. j. Parker, pres
ident Quincy 1ll) Boulevard and Park
Association; The Northampton Prize
Flower Garden Competition, by George
w. Cable, Northampton. Mass.
$50 p.m.-"Art Education In the United
States" by Waiter Scott Perry director
department Of fine and applied arts, Pratt
Institute, Brooklyn, n. Y; The Educa-
ton OF the Public by Lecture Courses on
Fine Arts" by A. II. -Grifith. director Of
the Detroit Museum of Art: reports OF
committees on constitution and bylaws,
date and place of next meeting, nonii-
nation and election of permanent officers,
and such other business as may be pro-
posed; adjournment. The public has the
privilege of attendance.