The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-01-31
ASK THAT OLD ART
MAY COME IN FREE
American Painters and Sculp-
tors Plead With House
Committee.
MAY BAR BIRD Pit MAGE.
strong Argument by Natural
lists Takes a Cost of Iiv-
ing Twist.

WAsnINGroN. Jan 30. John quinn Of
New York. counsel for the Association
OF American Painters and Sculptors.
presented an argument before the
House committee on WAYS and Means
tonight in favor Of the removal Of all
duty on original works Of art
Mr.. Quinn opposed the existing stat
utes on the ground that a tariff on
works Of art more tnan twenty wears
of age did not ben"f, the country. nor
did it have the support of any artist
OF standing and reputation, either
Americans or foreigners.
The only supporters OF tariff on
art" said Mr.. Quinn. Eat the time the
law OF 1909 was framed We're the
American artists of mediocre ability.
Th" great ARTISTS are not afraid "
foreign competition, they court It,"
The witness expressed the opinion
that the revenue of less than $50 600
a year from the duty on works o: art
less ihan twenty years old would hc
compensated for In the benefits ac-
,ruinS 10 the American public through
the fostering Of the artistiC spirit. He
called attention to France as a hatlon
that had had the foresight to capt
talize the artistic temperament of It's
people.
Mr. Quinn pointed out that in
many instances masterpieces Of modern
sculptors were reproduced ny the
original designer several times. He be-
leved that u restriction to two or at
most three replicas would he a satisfac-
tory solution. He cited what he con-
sidered the too frequent reproduction OF
Rodin as an instance OF this sort.
"Etchings." said Mr.. Quinn. should
have the benefit of the free art pro-
visions of the suggested bill. ON this
form of art there should he rigid
provision that only the first impressions
should enjoy the removal OF the duty
The first twenty impressions should
in the opinion of the American associa-
tion, have the privilege of free entry.
The law should make adequate and
rigid provision for the protection OF
the public from fake proof copies.
With regard to autographs IN" same
general rule az that to bc applied 20
etchinys should be made and enforced "
The impression prevails that Mr.
.luinn's suggestions will receive the
practically unanimous support of the
committee.
William T. Hornaday. representing
the New York Geological Society. and
Pearson T. Gilbert Of New York. secre-
tary OF the Audubon Society. appeared
before the Ways and Means Committee
earlier in the day and urged the incor-
poratlon into the new tariff law of an
absolute inhibition OF tho importation Of
the plumage OF birds for millinery pur-
poses. They suggested that in place Of
the revenues obtainable from millinery
importations there might be substituted
tariff on game which would afford
ample compensatory revenue.
Ma iority and minority OF the commit
tee are apparently united in a friendly
attitude toward the contention OF the
two naturalis.s. Said Representative
Kitchin of North Carolina: That is the
first suggestion OF protection that has
been made before this committee that
has my entire approval"
Il speak not only for the American
bird but for the American husband"
said Mr.. Gilbert, Few can afford these
feathers and the prohibition Of their i'm
portation would be the surest method Of
driving them out of fashion and saving
TO the American wage Garner a slice OF
his income that he can III afford TO
waste"
When Mr. Pearson pronounced his
doctrine OF sumptuary tariff on game he
said:
THE Sunday dinner of the itinerate
clergyman Ia taxed. for there is n pro-
tective tariff on poultry, but the man
who has a hot bird after the theatre in
New York pays nothing"
But the cold bottle II taxed
heavily" interposed Representative
l-ongworth. laughingly
IL am glad to get that information
from such an authoritative source" re-
torted the witness.