New-York tribune., 1911-02-27
OPPOSE GIFT OF SITE
City Officials Frown on SuggeS'
tion for Fine Arts Building.
HIGH COST PR0HIBITIVE
Borough President McAneny Says
Courthouse Should Have
First Consideration.

City officials expressed no enthusiasm, OF
even approval. yesterday OF the suggestion
made by J. W. Alexander az a luncheon a.
the Republican Club on Saturday that the
city should purchase the two blocks be-
tween 10Th and AID streets and Madison and
Fifth avenues, and give II as a site for
fine arts building.
George McAneny, president Of the Bor-
ough OF Manhattan. IN discussing the sub
ject, said this plot Of ground had been
suggested as an appropriate place for the
new courthouse building. At one time, he
said. an estimate had been made OF what
the acquisition OF the land by condemna-
ton proceedings would cost. and that es-
innate had Indicated an expenditure or
more than twelve million dollars.
IF the property should be acquired by
the city now" said Mr. McAneny, II be-
lieve it would cost between thirteen and
fourteen million dollars. At this time that
cost would appear almost prohibitive. Even
e the property were purchased, considera-
tion would have TO be given Il as site
for the courthouse building before its use
for the location Of a fine arts building"
Mr.. McAnen., declined to express an opin-
ion on Mr. Alexander's alternative sugges-
tion-the use OF the western end Of Bryant
Park between 10Th and 42d streets for an
art exhibition building. He added, how
ever, that he fully appreciated the need Of
having such building in the city, and
would like TO see one built.
III general, the officers Of the city give
Mr. A,exanders two suggestions a chilly
reception, and their attitude does not give
cause for any roseate visions Of a magnih-
cent fine arts building on IL site given by
the city. Just the reverse is the position
of the directors OF the Metropolitan Museum
Of Art and the National Academy of De-
sign. They enthusiastically approve either
and both the suggestions. and propose start
ing a campaign OF education TO bring the
misguided" city officials around TO their
way of thinking.
Herbert Adams. a director OF the Ma
tional Academy OF Design. said that tht
academy had three-quarters OF million
dollars which It stood ready TO give tow
ard the expenses Of the proposed building
provided the city gave the site. Other:
added their assurances that there would bt
no trouble in raising sufficient funds for q
suitable DullulTB. Ntdlluy pdklDllS VI a. '
they said. approved the movement ano
stood ready TO back II financially.
ut would be a splendid. magnificent
thing to have a fine arts building of suit
able size here" said Mr.. Adams '"rhint
what an opportunity this is to make Bry
ant Park beautiful artistic park right II
the centre Of the city. With such build
ing as Mr.. Alexander proposed on the two
blocks facing the public library, New Yorl
would have an art centre at which it coulC
point with justifable pride. l heartily ap
prove both his suggestions. and especially
the first"
Mr. Adams said he wished it 70 be clearly
understood that II the suggestion wa
adopted the new fine arts building would
be I'm no sense Of the word new Academy
Of Design. 1T would" said he. "be hom
for every one OF the fine arts. Sculptors
painters and. in fact, artists of every de
scription could exhibit the result OF thei
labors in it,"