New-York tribune., 1911-04-16

source, and half the battle for big ex-
hibition building will be won. Develop
ing the question as TO a site. Mr.. Butler
had these interesting things to say:
More than a year ago had the honor 10
present 10 the Academy the suggestion OF
site Immediately north of the new Grand
Central depot. Since that time the boards
or the TWO great railroad companies CON
trolling the property have considered the
matter, with the result that the offer has
been greatly improved. Plans have been
sent 20 me by the New York Central Com
pany, and las. week | was authorized by
Nice-Presdent William II. Newman 10 state
at the Academy meeting tonight that he
was convinced that he would be supported
by both boards in Offering 10 the National
Academy Association the entire centrally
located block 300x2D0 feet, bounded on the
north and south by 18Th and i6th streets
and on the east and west by Depew Place
and Vanderbilt avenue; subject 10 legisla-
tive approval for stopping Park avenue at
10Th street instead OF 4jth and that that ap-
prOVal was almost sure To come in return
for the creation in exchange OF a much
larger street area by the railroad COM
panies.
To endow the lease and 10 erect the
building a sum OF three million dollars
is needed. the Academy of Design sup
plying a maintenance endowment fund.
Whether there are patrons Of art gen.
erous enough 10 make the scheme possi-
bic remains TO be seen. Three million
dollars are not easily 10 be had But at
least the artists may now ask for il with
a better grace than hitherto, especially
# they give evidences that they are will
ing 20 work shoulder to shoulder and
prove that they deserve public confidence
and support
The public is under no obligation TO
coddle the artist. They have reciprocal
duties. If it is the duty of the public
TO support an exhibition. it is the duty
Of the artist to make that exhibition a
good one II we are ever 10 have an
American Salon there must be an end of
pickering and no more of those "Seces-
sions' which have periodically made so
much scandal. We have heard too much
OF cliques. of the injustice of iures and
| hanging committees and all the rest of
It. Three million dollars will not be
handed over TO any company OF men in
NdpciDl- VI SfAN44i6 AhEtNsltl anu lldl
moniously administering their trust for
| the public good. Above all. this money
will not be given for a building in which
this or that individual may refuse 10 ex-
hibit, on the plea that his private inter-
ests are better served elsewhere The
] point IS worth enforcement more in de-
tail Take. for example, a typical ex-
| hibition at the Academy ana consult the
list of members printed in the cata-
logue. There are always absentees. and
il will be found that these often include
some of the best painters we have. IN
| quiry as 10 the failure OF these men q
do anything i'm support Of the institution
on whose roster they remain has ELECTED
various explanations. one man has pre-
ferred 20 dispose of all his work through
| a dealer. for that has brought him
greater profit Another has found il
more desirable 10 make an independent
show Of his work from time TO time ol
/ 10 associate himself with a few cnoser
comrades. Still another objects TO sub
hitting his work to the kind of jury
that he believes 10 be characteristic OF
the Academy or he breads the awkward
| hand OF the hanging committee. And sc
on. and so on. Again and again we see
good painter retaining membership r
the Academy, but sending an unimpor-
! tant work there. if he SENDS at al, and
reserving his best picture in a given
year for Philadelphia or Washington. q
an exhibition OF his own in New York
| We grant these artists, in advance, all
The sorrowfUl reasons they might present
| for their abstention from the ex-
hibitions which many Of them were glad
10 frequent when the Academy gave
them their only chance Of getting before
the public. But If they are not inter-
ested enough and harmonious enough
TO reform the Academy from the inside.
why do they not resign in a body? So
long as they stay they are under obliga-
tion TO the public TO do all they can to
make the Academy exhibitions inter-
esting.
The artist is no more entitled than is