New-York tribune., 1911-10-26
Park Avenue and 45th Street
Named by H. W. WatrouS.
SOCIETIES ARE INTERESTED
Temporary Organization Formed
Under Auspices of National
Academy of Design.

The initial meeting Of the National
Academy Association, which is ultimately
to include all the leading art societies of
the country and provide them with "a
single building in this city. unequalled for
exhibition purposes OH this side of the
water" was held yesterday afternoon in
the Fine Arts Building. While the meet
ing was only for the purpose OF effectng a
temporary organization among the societies
represented It marked the first definite
step which the societies have taken tow
ard the realization Of a dream that has
been in the minds OF New York artists
since other cities began attracting all the
biggest art exhibits because of the lack
Of facilities here.
The site Of the new home Of the arts.
about which discussion waxed hot long be-
fore there was any certainty OF there be-
ing new home. will be directly north
Of the reconstructed Grand Central Sta
ton. about Park avenue aud 45th street. II
the prophecy of Henry W. Watrous tenn
porary secretary of the association, comes
true. Mr.. Watrous said after the meeting
Yesterday that the land there was avail
able, though its price might prove a bar
Other sites had been considered, he re-
marked. but II was Of course too early for
any definite announcement. The Bryant
Park site, brought forward as possibility
last spring. was out Of the question.
Cording to Mr.. Watrous The growth OF
the plan had rendered II entirely too small.
Six Men to Raise st,50O,0o0.
Mr. Watrous said the six mon who had
pledged themselves 10 raise the $500 no
necessary for carrying out the project were
wealthy citizens of New York, who pre-
ferred that their efforts be ANONYMOUS.
They are trying 20 make of New York"
he said. what Carnegie has been trying
to make of Pittsburgh. and what he will
never he able to-the art centre of the
country. New York is Of course, the natu-
raj centre. n Carnegie had put the money
here which he has put into Pittsburgh all
this would have come 10 frutlon years
ago"
The delegates who attended Yesterdays
meeting were: For tho National Academy
of Design. John w. Alexander, Henry W.
Watrous, Francis &. Jones Frederick
Dielman, Howard Russell Butler and Cass
Gilbert: for the Municipal Art Society
Bert Hanson and Charles r. Lamb: for the
National Sculpture Society. Isidore Konti
and Hermon \. Mcneil; for the National
Society of Illustrators Charles Dana Glib
son. and for the Society Of Mural Painters.
T.. II. Blashfeld.
John W. Alexander. president Of the Ma
tiona Academy Of Design. whose voice and
efforts for several years past have been
=
building plan. was elected temporary chair
man of the meeting and Mr.. Watrous tenn
pOrdry secretary.
Committee Of Five Appointed.
After an explanation Of the object Of the
gathering from Mr. Butler, the chairman,
on motion of Mr. Lamb. appointed an execu-
tive committee Of five with full power 10
form the National Academy Association
along the lines OF the plan and agree
ment formerly drawn up by the National
Academy Of Design.
The committee consisted Of Mr. Butler.
Mr.. Gilbert, Mr. Hanson and two members
who were not present yesterday-William
4. Boring president OF the Architectural
League and Herbert Adams. president of
the National Sculpture Society. They were
instructed TO draft special charter. confer
with a special committee on the site of the
proposed building and 10 communicate with
the lay members of the association, con-
sSting Of the Mayor and representatives
from the Chamber of Commerce. the Allied
Libraries and the Metropolitan Museum OF
Art.
We still have 70 get a charter" OK
planned Mr.. Watrous. "and the various
cieties have stlll 20 sign the perfected
agreement. But when that IS done IT will
be one of the biggest things that ever hap
pened in this country for art"