The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-22
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.1

Washington, D. c., May 21.-Wash-
ington went from grave to gay and
from the sublime to the ridiculous this
week in an endeavor to live UP to tho
possibilities of program which in
cluded memorial services for King Ed.
ward VII; a lawn fete at the White
House; the first annual convention Of
the American Federation OF Fine Arts
the assembling of an army of Sunday
school workers 10000 strong from fifty
one nations Of the earth: the opening
of the Southern Masonic Home under
suspicious circumstances; public recog
milton of church SO unique in plan
the President of the United States and
five days time for its proper dedica-
ton: the formation and first meeting
OF the National Alliance of Polish
American citizens. with great economic,
social and political promise: the advent
of the Ben Greet Players in the Eliza
bethan staging Of Shakespeare's dra-
mas; and last, but not least, the comic
opera performance masquerading un.
der the title of United States Senate
investigation Of the Pinchot-Ballinger
controversy" TWO lovely weddings,
with their attendant festivities, and
school commandments galore, added
piquancy TO the variety, While an even
lery. complimentary to the American
Federation of Fine Arts Congress, and
a private view of the pictures COM
prising the National Gallery of Art in
the new National Museum Building. to
the same distinguished coterie. pro-
Vided the artistic touch without which
no round of events is entirely salts
factory.
The Congress of the American Fed
| m lie ~ NO To-.
portance in that it is the first time
In the history of the New World that
art experts from every State have come
together for the purpose Of bringing
beauty into American life. How neces-
sary this is is best defined by Professor
| Lindberser, who declares, "Art is the
Well doing of what needs doing."' Art,
therefore, in the .utilitarian sense. tends
to efficiency. and city-making on ar
tlstic lines becomes an effort for the
highest good OF all.
| Hon. Franklin MacVeagh, who pre-
sides over the most beautiful Federal
department building. the United States
Treasury. in the address OF welcome
referred to the recent lifting Of Gus,
toms taxes on the works of old mas.
tiers, accomplished through the efforts
OF the General Federation of Women's
clubs In, this country, as having al.
said that 1t would ultimately make thu
United States the art centre of the
! world.
Hon. John Barrett director of TIL,
Bureau of American Republics. de
elared the art OF South America to b,
not far behind that OF their Northern
nelshbors--a statement heartily In
dorsed by those who recalled the splen
AID art exhibit made by Chill and Ar
sentina at the American Exposi
tion, held in Buffalo in 1901.
4 Hon James l., Slayden Of Texas. re
lated some of the difficulties and tr!al
OF u Congressman concerning art mat
! ters, and feelingly referred to some o
me so-called art" being annual,
lhrust upon the national capital in TIL,
smape OF statues and public buildings
though not advocating religious art
ralph s y Adams Grams, artist-architect
OF New York, and vice president of tn,
Federation of Fine Arts sounded ;
warming against a. national tendenc,
70 Inaterialism which he declared va
the cause of the decline in artist
development In France to-day. In thi
connection. Mr.. Grams paid his respent
70, the multiplied religious sects Of IN
twentieth century, and urged Ameri
cans 10 observe the sign of the timn
: IN france and realize ere ii was to,
late that q nation cannot have a civil
\ ization which will EXPRESS true art j