Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-16
rt Club Directors May
Refuse to Accept
Resignation
APOLOGY is SUGGESTED
2. M. Burns, Famous Archi-
tect, Supports Etcher in
His Views

chbrges Of disloyalty and anti-Brltish
criticism against him and Charles NJ
Burns. noted architect, Civil war veteran
and fellow member
Indignation at the aspersions cast
upon the patriotism Of the famous artist
and the veteran architect was expressed
In. no mincing terms In art circles.
Friends of the accused rallied to their
defense. pointing out as significant that
the names of the accusers are bcng
= wkhheld by the house committee,
- They demand a Showdown" in the
rtpnpus. first news of which was pub
ii4ned yesterday in the EvEXISd PUBLIC
LtpGER.
~ was intimated around the art clubs
that strong pressure viii be brought on
thk board of directors Of the Art cub
to- refuse to accept the resignation of
Tho distinguished artist. Some went so
fst as 10 say that apologies to Mr..
P&nnel and Air. Burns were due from
thu house committee.
An analysis OF the events that led
uIf to the situation was made this after
noon by Il well-known member of the
Art Club. who attributed the affair TO
the infusion of younger blood In the
membership and consequent friction be-
tween this type and the older circle. Of
which Mr.. Pennell and Mr.. Burns are
leaders. The friction resulted in an
open blaze when in very outspokon Ian
EuRge the artist objected to the pres
ence OF British army officers. who he
said. were making q rendezvous of the
club for drinking purposes Mr. Burns
and others supported him in the stand
that he took. holding that drinking by
officers in uniform is contrary to the
regulations of both the British and
American armies.
Fuel was added TO the flames when
the report spread that the University
offPennsylvana would be asked TO with
hold the honorary degree OF LII. y.
scheduled to be conferred on Mr.. PEN
ne}l on washingtons Birthday
Asked TO comment on this. Provost
Edgar Fshs Slnitls said;
q do not know what will be done in
the matter I really have nothing to
saS at this time"
Edward Robins, brother-in-law of
M Pennell and secretary Of The trustees
OF the University OF Pennsylvania, con-
fefred with the artist today. but when
asked about the degree referred the
mttter to the provost.
WELSH DEFENDS PENNELL
sThe appearance in town of IL. Dewitt
wslsh. assistant secretary of the COM
mtttee Of public information's pictorial
department.. gives Jhe laugh. Mr. Pen
nSls admirers assert, to those who
have made inslnuations against his
Avnerlcanism.
Afr. Welsh Is here to confer with Mr..
Pennell in the matter of the patriotic
.pFters the latter has done for the
Gdvernment. a..S
Joseph Pennall is a pa triot," he said
With emphasis. Il was outraged to read
tlMt any insinuation against him could
hfre been breathed. He has worked
cqisistently for the Government since
tn declaration OF war. lie has come
tqs New York for conferences on the
posters, has paid his own expenses. has
dTe everything without n cent Of re-
rihneration.
The poster he has done for the next
i-Perty Loan Is a marvellous bit OF art
~ one, VINO had any anti-.Ally feelings
colld have done 1t.
sMr. Pennell has been in close cor
repondence with Secretary of war
Beker and Secretary of the Navy Dan
leF He has letters Of the highest praise
irtn both OF them Few men are as we'll
tnPusht of in Washington as Joseph
Ptnnell
Tin little while he and Charles Dana
Gpson will start Iecturirg throughout
tbR country on the patriotic posters r.
arf not critic.zing the Art Club. but 7
capnot understand how this Thing came
abtut.
~ have talked with some OF the mos,
prominent members of the club TODAY. /
Ttpy are outraged that apy action
shSuid have been taken against Mr.. PEN
f1l- . 1T
heard that Mr.. Pennell commented ON
fht drunkenness of officers. Is a man
TO be reviled for that? II doesn't matter
wlpt uniform they wore. Suppose they
were British. IL was not the uniform.
II was the condition OF the men that
provoked the ire OF pennell, If what
ne4r is right
Nr Welsh said that he knew nothing
4 Che reported commission given to Mr..
perneil to make sketches In the navy
ind doubted its existence.
Nr, Pennell maintained his silence fol-
owing his statement yesterday, that hc
lad rendered his resignation
{ Mr.. Burns, who is to have hearing
,efpre the board of directors next Thurs
lay. also declined TO talk about the case
'xdept to say:
*Only half the truth has been told
'bQut me, and a half-truth is more dan
lerous than a whole lie. I can say moth.
Nc more than that now"
Ne refused 10 take the charges seri-
'usly. joking about them. Some of his
I1ends. however. were particularly in
ersed at the charge of disloyaIty made
g4inst the veteran.
Mr., Burns. who is naval veteran of
he Civil War. was one Of the first
nembers admitted to the Art Cluh
'otable among examples OF his work Is
he Episcopal Church of the Advocate
'igfreenth and Diamond streets, which .
q designed. He was a blueiacket I'm ,
he' United States navy under Admiral
'arragut.
Apart from admitting that he had r..
Ixned, Mr.. Penne.l would not comment
q xhe action Of the Art Club, He IeSt
In the Wlndermere Hotel
nz1y today. Mrs. Pennell characterized
% auair as "a disgrace and outrage
~. Thomas Fenton, president of the
rt Club. declined ID make a detailed
|>fsment regarding the action Of tho ,
0Qse committee.
The Office that I hold. regret 10 say
r6yents me from taking" he said j
e4ei u Mr.. Pennell had made remarks
~ could be construed as antl-Eng-
~ he replied:
<fhese facts are common broper,y,
m@Hg the members"
". Pennell's stand IN this matter,
&1tlrely justified" said a friend or
artist today. II know the inside .
~ shout what led to these absurd
~ Mt. Pennsll, In his own positive ,
onjected strongly 10 the presence
iflsh officers who were being served
1Qucr In the cafe of the club. Per- 7
he was not as diplomatic az he 6
have been. But he made The
very stnogly that thete ofaicers !
not be served with Liquors while !
of our cwn army were denied \
<IieHo He also intin,a 49,