Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-31
ELK|NS ART TO Be
ACCEPTED BY CITY
CounciImen Favor Terms of Fin
ancier's Will Making Bequest
to Municipality
GALLERY IN FIVE YEARS

The So, 500 900 collection of ITO mas
terpieces Of art left to the city by the
will Of George w. Elkins will be ac-
cepted by Mayor Smith and Councils
upon the passage OF an ORDINANCE
which will be introduced in councils
November 6.
Because of bill passed at the last
session of the Legislature, exempting
beauests of this character to the city
from state tax, the cost of the gift to
the city will be much smaller than was
the case in taking over the wonderful
collection of the late John G. johnson.
1t is probable that the city will be
called upon to pay only a federal tax on
the collection.
Mayor Smith expressed much gratif
cation on learning of Mr.. Elkins's gift
to the city.
"I have not conferred with Chair
man Gaffney. of Councils finance com
mittee,' he said, 'but / believe a bill
should be introduced for acceptance of
the gift without delay. This may have
good effect toward influencing other men
TO make similar bequests.
81 was especially pleased to hear of
the $500 900 bequest for maintenance of
the art collection. There is little
doubt of completing the art museum in
time; in fact, / think it will be fin
1shed within Two years.
Quarters for johnson Art
Incidentally, the Mayor spoke of the
collection left the city by the late
John G. Johnson and said he believed
his successor would arrange to pro
vide quarters for it.
City officials today characterized the
gift as generous in the extreme, espe
cially as it carries with it fund of
5000, 600 for the preservation and for
additions to the collection. The one
restriction-of completing the Art Pal
ace on the Parkway within five years
they feel can be easily met.
Joseph p. Gaffney. chairman of
Councils finance committee. tcdav an =
nounce6 that he would prepare an or
dinance accepting the gift If members
OF the Fairmount Park Commission do
not forward such a measure to him be =
fore the next meeting of Councils.
The effect of the passage of the ordi =
nance would give the city the collec
tion with the proviso that it be re =
turned to the Elkins family if the art
palace is not completed within the
stipulated five years. In the meantime
it is understood that the paintings will
remain in their present gallery.
WIN save 8aOU,UUV
No sooner had the bequest becom,
known than the question of the cos
to the city was carefully gone into. |
y believed that the bill sponsored b,
Councils legislative committee EXEMPT
ing cities from state taxes on bequests
OF this character will apply in this cas-
and will save the city an outlay of ,
quarter Of million dollars. The ques
tion of what federal taxes will have tt
be met in accepting the collection an,
$500 900 fund will be determined later.
In discussing this phase Chairman
Gaffney said: 81 believe the city will
not have to pay a state tax on the be
quest, as was the case when it tool
over the famous johnson collection. Th,
most recent legislation would seem t.
leave us out Of that expense.
'The gift itself, with the reasonable
nifcent one for Philadelphia. This city
is rapidly taking front rank as an art
center and the Elkins collection. added
to the johnson collection, the Wilstacf
collection Of early American portraits
puts us near the head of the list.
Work Now Under Way
'There should be no trouble in com
pleting an art palace in the time speci
fled, as work is now underway anC
several millions have already been au
thorized in loans. A new loan coulC
easily take care of any balance tina
will be needed to press the work to al
early completion as possible. TIL,
proviso placing five year limit on tn,
gift is eminently fair and just and tn,
city would have no excuse or reason
for not making good"
The city in taking over the johnson
collection was forced to pay take
amounting to between 100000 an,
81 600 900 at time when the none.
could be ill afforded. The fact that th
cost entailed in taking over the Elkin
collection will be relatively smal
serves to enhance the value Of the gif
In the eyes Of city fnanciers, as wei
as Of members of the Fairrnount Par
Commission, who will have control c
the gift once it is turned over to tn
city.
Sidney W. Keith, member of th
Fairmount Park Commission, said b
was glad to hear that the city would &C
cept the Elkins collection without della,
IT think that the provision that a
gallery must be completed within fly
years will be easily met" said M
Keith. "In fact, l think It will |
completed much before that time. A
Z