The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-09
Temporary Resting Place for
Works of Art in New
Museum Building.
PERMANENT HOME
is ARTISTS HOPE
Its Construction Will Be Natural
Outcome of Half Cen
tury's Efforts.

In about two weeks the National Cal
lery of Art viii be opened TO the public
and the artists dream for years will be
launched Not that the grand new build
ing which they believe the future VIII
find on She land now being purchased
between pennsylvania avenue and the
Mall. has been completed and opened to
the public. but part OF the beautiful
new museum building has been devoted
to the display of art until such a build
Ing is built. That Congress will soon APP
propriate funds for such a national gal
lery or art is the hope Of American ar
lists.
Wcrkmen are busy making absolutely
freproof the sky-ughted rooms on the first
floor OF the new meseum building, and the
works Of art now in the National Mu-
scum will be placed there soon. BY No
vember 1. at the latest, this portion of
the new museum will be ready for the
inspection of the public.
In the course Of events the construc-
ton OF a national art gallery is the nat
uraI sequence Of the development Of the
Smithsonian Institution and its labors
for art and science. Such a great build
ing located close to the new gallery will
form the complete series of splendid
buildings devoted to the study and fur
therance OF art and science.
Buying More Land.
The Government is now acquiring the
land south Of Pennsylvania avenue, de-
clare the advocates OF a national art
gallery, thus affording the opportunity
for placing the proposed building in
close proximity TO the other three struc-
lures.
Tic idea OF constructing a national art
gallery has been advocated for more
than half a century. Other nations
have great structures where the artists
spend their lives and where they leave
behind the works OF art that they have
wrought.
America has never had such a gallery.
Up 10 this time the majority Of the peO-
pie Of this country have been too busy
making money to have any real pleasure
in the fostering Of art. The legislators
who keep In touch with the people ana
their ideas have never had the nerve 20
make an appropriation for a national
art gallery because the people would
have ridiculed II.
But artists claim that the American
people have changed now. and that they
would welcome a great institution where
would be preserved FOR the nation the
works OF art OF its artists.
Nucleus Exists.
The nucleus around which the national
collection for the National Gallery will
be accumulated already exists. II con
sists OF the Evans collection and other
pictures Which nave been donated 70 the
Government. These are now, being
placed in the well-lighted rooms OF the
new building for the pleasure Of the
public.
The museum proper will not be oren
20 the public until late in the winter
To the public will be devoted the
first and second stories. Of course.
thousands Of exhibits are never calcu-
lated FOR the use Of the public. ard will
never be placed on these floors They
are gathered primarily for the scientific
study Of men and women who live their
lives out in the world of study and in
vestigatiOn-
But work Is being pushed on the con-
struction of the furniture for the ex-
uDltlon rooms. The public will be al
lowed TO enter as soon as the exhibits
are in position, which viii be in Janu-
ery or February.