The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-14
WEBER HOTLY
ATTACKS ART
MUSEUM PLANS
Board, However, Rejects Mo-
ton to Rescind Action Ac-
cepting Donaldson's Work
ALTERATIONS, THOUGH,
LIKELY TO BE MADE
Chief Objection Is to "Monu-
mental" Structure, Separate
Buildings Being Favored

In the quarterly meeting OF the
trustees OF the Detroit Museum of Art,
Monday afternoon, William c. Weber,
a member OF the board, submitted a
series of objections TO the plan OF
John Donaldson, Of Donaldson &
Meier, architects. for a single "monu-
mental" building to house the new
art museum. music hall and school
OF design on the square bounded by
Woodward, Farnsworth and Kirby
ayes. and John R-st., and attempted
TO have rescinded the action accept
ing the plans drawn by Mr.. Donaldson.
Nine of the II members of the board
were present, and all but Mr.. Weber
voted 10 stand by Mr.. Donaldson s
plan. on motion Of w. G. Leland,
however, the board decided to rescind
the motion instructing the architect
10 proceed with the construction OF
the building The discussion develop
ed the fact that many OF the trustees
are not satisfied with Mr.. Donaldson 5
plan, but believe that 1t can be alter
ed. II was stated that a committee
OF the school OF design has gone TO
New York to confer with architects
regarding the Donaldson plan, In the
hope OF finding that alterations re-
garded necessary can be made. II Is
probable also that the boilers, which
in Mr.. Donaldson plan are located
iff-the- heart of-the- building WILDE
removed to some other place.
These are. In the main, Mr. Webers
objections to the Donaldson plan:
That separate buildings would be
more beautiful than one big "monu-
mental structure.
That the school OF design and the
engine room would, by their noise, n
terfere with the comfort OF people
using the music hall and the art gal
leries
That n boiler room In the heart OF
the building would create fire risk and
would cause loss and annoyance by
dirt and dust.
That the expenditure Of 100000
under the Donaldson plan would not
provide adequate facilities for the
school OF design, and would set ic
back for long period unless another
81 100000 were forthcoming immedi-
ately to finish the monumental
scheme. Isl
That the plans Tor the school OF
design are inadequate In lighting,
that they neglect important neSds,
and do not allow for future expansion.
That a three-story art museum Is
two stnries being the
limit OF modern practice and advice.
That the music hall, planned with
an entrance from John R.-st, would
be inconveniently located, since us
patrons would arrive on the Wood
ward-ave. side and would have to
traverse q long block TO enter the
that the auto drives would
interfere with pedestrians; that safe
ty from fire is not adequately provid-
ed for, either for audience or per-
formers, and that no organ Is planned.
Mr.. Weber recommends the expendi-
ture of the arst 81 10000 In the fol
lowing way: Power plant sufficient
for both the art center and the
library, $4,000; school Of design,
500, 900; music hall, 100000; first
unit of a fine arts museum. s350,O0O;
Sl2,50o. He believes that
under this scheme 1t would be per-
haps 20 years before the second ST.
300 900 would be needed.