New-York tribune., 1909-02-22
DEEMS ARSENAL SITE UNFIT.
Suggestion That National Academy Of Desixa
Use Property It Already Possesses.
New York. Feb 20, 1909.

TO the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The National Academy Of Design vii make q
grave mistake II It accepts the concession in fhs
bill prepared for the Legislature granting psrnis
sion to build upon the site or the old Arsenal in
Central Park Some years ago alluring plan 10
erect an arch at the Artists Gate, Seventh ave-
nue. and 5sth street. with hanking extensions con-
tanning picture galleries, was under consideration
by the COMMITTEES on site and plan Of the National
Academy. and thoroughly discussed II vas
then made evident that. all other difficulties asds
an insurnountsble obstacle lay IN the evils that
would necessarily follow cOnjoint holding by
Academy and city, entangling alliance thst
would effsctually tie up the property rights Of ts
Academy preventing eventual release. il desired
The same obstacle would exist IN the Gaze Of tbs
Arsenal site.
But RAISING that the site Is not desirable. A
police station art gallery and u1enagerie form
not an ideal or impressive association TIE site
is too limited in ground space, and expansion would
be Impossible. The intervening park cuts II OF
from the great west side Of the city. where tbs
mass OF the people reside who can be counted upon
as supporting visitors
The inerectuaI struggles Of the Academy for SONS
years past interest wealth and civic pride prove
that we are not yet ready for that 100000 monu-
mental structure to house the Academy and FED
Grated Art Societies and give room for the coming
American Salon. Why can we not drop that idsa
and turn TO practical possibilities7 The Academy
ovrns sixteen lots on Cathedral Parkway. facing
upon three streets It is not an ideal site. nor .
n a bad one A great trolley line runs past rs
door an, another one runs at the end Of the block
The site IS owned without incumnrance, anu .
lriIdins, fund Of about saoo0OO is invested.
In Berlin Munich. Dresden and other cities OF
F,urope there are extensive galleries for current
exhibitions spacious and well lighted. In buildings
Of an almost temporary character In Berlin ths
annual exhibition. the Crosse Beriiner kunstaus-
sbel1uns is held in an extensive suite OF galleries
IN the Exhibition Park. There is s great central
dome gallery for large ststuaTy and very iarss
paintings then lesser ones. but large and theh
Io+ ~ snaIT galleries suitable for exhioitions OF
all dissertations Of art works The ceilings n most
of the galleries are OF muslin, skylishts soove' ms
light being dIffused and agreeable
The walls are covered with different unts OF
coarse hurlap Such . building need not oe IN
picturesuue mean or ignoble in appearance ana
the Galleries NAV be admirable for pictures ana
n1easant 10 the eve. Some years ago, when spe-
cial effort had been made to secure a cnolCe e'i
tion OF American paintings for an exhlDiNon , =
the Glass Palace Munich, Stanford Whl'o % %
: scheme OF simple decoration for the ssHsS -
which the American pictures were nuns-
feet was charming and led TO much faVoTsOiS oOA
ment. - a. h,s
why can't the Academy. with the money i -, -
cover the sixteen lots with such galleries ana ~
invite the Federated Societies OF Art ana AIe
ura and the American Salon 10 come III So ~,
comfortable and have a good time aho 50 So" a.
the pride and wealth OF our city snan come - -
bearing gifts and demanding that the monu
building SHAH be erected upon the ideal sue
New York Feb. 10. 1909