Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-10
PLEADS TO SENATE
TO ADMIT ART FREE
Attorney for League Here With
Bound Volume of
Arguments.
HOUSE WOULD EXEMPT,
UPPER HOUSE HAS TAX
Confidence Is Expressed That Demo-
Gratis Will Not Impose Duties
on Works.

Pleading that the Senate should recede
from it's position on the provision in the
tariff bill that works of art under fifty
years old should be taxed % per cent
ad valorem, Myron E. Pierce, attorney
for the American Free Art League, Is in
Washington with bound volume of ar
guments and great fund of informa-
ton on the subject.
The tariff bill, as it now stands, has
art objects on the free list on the House
side and taxes them on the Senate side.
Mr.. Pierce expresses the opinion that in
asmuch as many democratic senator's
favor the Underwood version Of the art
| schedule the Senate may be prevailed
| upon to accept free art.
The American Free Art League has
a long and distinguished list of members
and officers Bryan Lathrop Of Chicago
is president, George L. Raymond of
president for the District of Columbia,
and directors for the District are Charles
J. Bell, John Joy Edison, Charles M.
Ffoulke, Edward M. Gallaudet, Charles
G. Glover. Frederick B. MCGUIRE. Rev.
DR.. Wallace Radcliffe, Frank Sewall. A.
H. Snow and William A Slater.
Provincialism q Disgrace.
Speaking Of the merits of the argument
that art objects be allowed to enter free
Of duty, Mr. Pierce said:
I'm the backwoods stage Of develop
ment q tax on works Of art might con-
ceivably be permissible, but when a ma
ton has reached the degree of civiliza-
ton that we have such provincialism ia
disgrace. No nation can have a well
rounded out development which goes out
- n dfccor1ra ~
1.-The art Of Europe is one Of its great
est financial assets. attracting as 1t does
each year SO many travellers and stu
dents. The French government has spent
artistic and skillful In design, and the
result is shown in the good taste dis
played In their manufactured articles.
such as their dress goods. pottery and
china ware. The investment has been a
very profitable one for the government.
.'If our manufacturers are to compete
with these countries in the manufacture
of goods In which design plays an i'm
portant part, our government must GER
tainly not discourage art education in
ings and sculptures by means Of a %
per cent tariff duty. Art objects are
educational necessities and should be SO
classified in making up the tariff bill.
Williams Gliding.
''Sena(OT JONu koHdEp WuA1hIuS, 10U6
chided the republicans in the following
language: You republicans have a tax
upon paintings. a tax on statuary, a
tax on engravings. You are doing your
utmost to retard the humanization and
refinement of the American people. What
justification can there be for taxing
every man who wants to learn what the
great geniuses of the world have ex-
ampled OF art and its glories and its
beauties. How any man can defend it
even for the purpose Of retaining his
seat upon this floor I do not under
stand. :.
and art culture. We have been engaged
for wears in conquering the forests and
then we have engaged In conquering the
industrial world. Now at the n time when
We begin to acquire the rennSmen e OF
With q custom house obstruction to their
free entrance to this country.
'.The democrats have never imposed