The Washington times., 1909-05-11
Artists and Art Lovers Meet
Here al Call OF Ma
tional Academy.
SENATOR ROOT
OUTLINES SCHEME
Part of Movement Will Be Organi-
zation OF Federation TO Edu-
cate Public Taste.

Representatives Of leading art So
cieties and institutes from all parts of
the United States are assembled in
Washington today TO inaugurate what
promises to be the most far-reaching
movement for the promotion of the
study of art ever undertaken In this
country.
The assembly or convention is the re-
suit Of invitations sent out recently by
the National Academy of Art and has
the sanction and support of President
Taft, Senator'S, Congressman. and other
men OF national influence. Before the
delegates leave a Federation of Art will
be organized to promote studv, rhe Cul-
tvation of public taste, and the appli-
cation of art TO the material conditions
of the nation.
More than a hundred men ana women
attended the opening session in the
red room of tile New Willard Hotel this
morning. Vice President Sherman made
a brief speech of welcome. Addresses
were made by Senator Root of New
York and Senator Newlands CT Nevada.
A paper on the relation of government
TO fine arts was read by Miss Leila
BGech4in. In the absence of ]. Pierpont
Morgan, president of the Academy,
Charles l. Hutchinson presided.
Received by President.
This afternoon the delegates and their
families were received by the President
and Mrs. Taft at the White House
At the afternoon session papers were
read by Miss Florence n. Levy, editor
of the American Art Annual. and by
Commissioner of Education. A recep-
ton to delegates and their families by
Mrs. Hennen Jennings. vice president
of the National Society of Fine Arts,
is planned for this evening.
There are Do schools and public art
galleries in 162 different cities and
towns in the United States" said Sena-
tor Root, in stating the objects of the
convention. ''Sixty-eighr of these
schools offer money prizes ranging from
S10G TO 5000 to their students for meri-
torious work. Seven million dollars
was given last year in the United
States in the form of endc~ments, be-
quests, and other fnanci~i contributions
for the promotion of art
City Art League.
More than fifty cities have municipal
art leagues or associations for the i'm
provement of appearances, for extend
ing their park systems, widening their
streets, improving their pavements, set
ting out trees, securing public buildings
of higher architectural m>riT, better
schonlhouses, lecture courses. and pub
lie Shibitions under city control, and
for general betternent and the educa-
ton of the public taste and opinion on
artistic lines There are hundreds OF
village Improvement associations for
similar purposes, the first Of which was
orga niZed more than fifty years ago. q
There is a general movement through
out the country TO preserve the natural
scenery and to secure an Improvement
in the looks OF things, both natural 1nd
artificial, and il is spreading rapidly.
1T Is believed that this movement may
he promoted and public sentiment de-
veloped in favor Of its purpose by unit
ing the many local organizations scat
tered throughout the country in a ma
tional federation for mutual encourage
ment and cooperation.
at is expected that the delegates here
assembled. II they approve the purpose
and plan Of the National Academy Of
Art, will organize a federation, adopt
constitution and bylaws, elect officers.
and appoint place and time for an
other meeting"
Federation's Objects
The objects of such a federation as
outlined by Senator Root, are as fol-
lows:
!. To encourage the organization OF art
societies, the establishment of art
schools and art galleries, TO encourage
the exhibition Of private art collections
for the benefit of the public, to encOur-
age American artists and 10 aid IN Sc
curing higher recognition for merit.
2 TO encourage the study of art in
he public schools, particularly in the
towns and villages: to encourage boards
of education, school superintendent and
the faculties of seminaries, academies,
To
attention TO the cultivation of the taste
of their students and to teach them cor
rect ideas in art and the advantages of
making things beautiful.
g. To encourage the appointment Of
competent commissions in municipali-
ties and States to supervise public ar
chitecture, monuments. parks, plans and
other improvements in order that they
may be in accordance with the best
rules Of art.
Planting of Tees.
4. To improve the stapdard Of private
architecture; to encourage the planting
OF trees, shrubbery, and hedges in the
farms and dooryards, and whatever may
be done to embellish the public streets
of cities, towns, and villages.
5. To support the plan of the Park
Commission for beautifying the city Of
Washington, and to aid in persuading
Congress 10 IOiiOW It's SuBgeSliOlls III LLle
location of future public buildings,
monuments, and other improvements at
the National Capital.
g. To assist in preserving natural
scenery from destruction and desecra-
ton; to extend the national park sys-
tenn, the forest reserves, and the preser-
walton of historic AMI natural land
marks.
4 To promote the movement for pub
lie Fairgrounds, school gardens, and
other efforts TO cultivate a love of ma
ture and of art in the minds of children.
Supervising Architect.
s. To support the movement for en-
largement of the jurisdiction Of the Su-
pervising Architect OF the Treasury,
and the organization Of a bureau Of
arts which shall have supervision of all
public buildings, monuments, and other
improvements ordered by Congress
IA Init Al 60