Evening star., 1916-05-17
Advises United Effort to Demon
strate to Federal Government
the Justice of Demands.

which brought forth unstinted applause.
The senator from Nevada dwelt on the
development of art as one of the high
est functions of the government, in
volving not only simply education in
art, but it's practical application to all
material things with which the govern
ment has any concern. After referring
in words of praise to the wonderful
work that has been accomplished in the
development of the artistic sense of the
country through the creation of art
federations. musical societies and other
similar organizations, which sense. he
said. has asserted itself in the keenest
appreciation and support of such won
derful creations as the San Francisco
exposition, he stated in decided terms
that the federal government has not
kept up with this national develop
ment, and that ignorance ana economy
are the main factors in this failure,
generally and specifically, In the pre-
vention of the existence of proper art
commissions and in the hampering of
the excellent one which now exists
Comments on Power Plant Site.
THE people of the United States, in
protesting through their various art
organizations against the erection of
the new power plant within the very
framework of the park system. which
Is lnlenueQ 10 De superior 10 any now
existing, have had neither the cooper.
alton of either house Of Congress nor
of the President of the United States"
declared Senator Newlands, who char
acterized the House more suspicious,
If not hostile, to the demands of art
than is the Senate.
You must demonstrate to the gov
ernmental powers not only the justice
of your demands, but their actual po-
litical results" he said, and he sug-
q Of he ivit
of the local art organizations through
out the country in such a way as to
show beyond a doubt what they want
and that they are determined to OBJ
tain it.
There should be an art commission
with some real power connected with
the national government" he contin-
ued. The one we have created has just
one poWer-that of giving advice-and
even that power may not be utilized at
| the right time, but usually only after
the plans are made and perfected and
when any change would result in the
abandonment of intervening labor.
Decisions Not Made by Architects.
Important decisions regarding the
erection Of federal structures are made,
under the present arrangement not by
architects, but by chief clerks and
chiefs of divisions.
"On this commission are architects
| who are as noted for their administra-
tive powers and practical knowledge as
| they are for their artistic ability, yet
| they are placed in the position of
| standing outside. and if they presume
to offer suggestions are liable to be ac-
| cused of meddling.
| Senator Newlands contended that
evervfhiNR n is f,,1 a
| insisted that mans work be not per-
| mitted to mar the scene, and that gov
ernr1ent work and structure of what
ever character, should unite the expert
ence and the knowledge of the artist
with that of the engineer and the con-
structor.
Senator Newlands paid high tribute to
the past work Of the commission and to
art-progress lines, and said the principal
| reason that he favored woman suffrage
was because he thought that the existence
of that right would work to the better
ment Of the conditions which he had been
discussing.
Nothing Senator Newlands said this
morning Is not borne out by his official
attitude. and labors for the progress of
| art" was a compliment paid him by sew
eral distinguished members of the feder-
alton at the conclusion Of the gathering
Address by President De Forest.
How can this Organization best pro-
mote the Introduction Of art into the
| home?' was the theme Of the address of
the president, Robert w. De Forest, who
is also president of the METROPOLITAN
Museum Of Art. He discussed the part
to be played by the federation in further
ing the means Of supplying the ever-in-
creasing cravings for objects Of art Of
the American people, and tentatively rec
commended travelling exhibits OF artistic
photographs, prints, casts. ceramics, etc,
which could not only be seen. but pur-
chased for reasonable amounts.
Miss Leila Mechlin, the secretary, in
her report emphasized the national
character of the organization and told
OF ITS existing travelling exhibits. its
specially adapted to general audiences
and the new departures tending to the
betterment Of the official organ, THE
American Magazine Of Art"
among IN ns. the services Of an extraordi-
ciety within the past year she men
toned it's work in obtaining the lower
Ing Of the prohibitive rates charged for
the Cummins' bill. and Of its protests
made in cooperation with the Ameri- |
can Institute Of Art and many local or |
ganisations agains the location Of the
The report Of the treasurer, Mr. Car
penter. described the satisfactory con-
dition Of the federation's finances. in |
GLIDING the nucleus Of an endowment |
fund. and tho showing, for the first |
time. OF q surplus in the funds of the |
magazine.
Welcoming Address.
DR.. Charles D. walcott. secretary of |
the Smithsonian Institution. delivered |
the opening address Of welcome to the
delegates. who filled tho small ball
room Of the Willard: Mrs. Herbert
Adams read a paper on The Fallacy
Of tho short Cut" and 3. r. Bos-
sange spoke on The Need Of Idealism
in Art"
Henry Marshall was appointed chair
man Of the committee on resolutions and |
Henry Adams to head the nominations |
committee.
This afternoons gathering was in Joint |
session with the American Association of |
Museums, now also convening here. Ed |
ward Robinson, director Of the Metropoli- |
tan Museum Of Art, presided. and among |
those contributing to the program were |
Margaret e. Sawtelle Of the Worcester |
Art Museum. J. q. Butler. jr.. Of Younss-
town. Ohio. and Henry Turner Bailey. |
Mrs. William Ritter will receive the dele |
40