The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-06
\ oNcERNINa the postpcroment
of the exhibition of American

- ONCERNING the postporcnent
Of the exhibition of American
paintings in the Luxembourg
Museum In Paris William A. Coffin,
who has just returned from France.
has the following explanation:
Some little time after receiving last
October through the Ministry Of Pub
lie instruction and Fine Arts tho off,
cial invitation from the French Gov
eminent to form a committee for the
exhibition we were informed that the
galleries in the Luxembourg set apart
for our collection would be ready early
in May, and acting on these advices
we shipped the 124 paintings and
twenty-four small pieces Of sculpture.
In order to attend to the necessary
business and arrangements I sailed on
April with Mr.. Ernest Rosen. the
secretary of the committee.
Conferences at the Ministry and
with Mr.. Benedite, director of the
Luxembourg Museum, were held fol-
lOWl1lS our dTTlNdl, tHt TcSuil VI Which,
was that as more time was needed for
getting tho galleries ready and the
working stan and attendants COM
pleted. and as the summer season was
rapidly approaching. a most unfavor-
able time for art exhibitions. we agreed
that 1t was best to postpone the open
ing to the first OF October. Our busi-
ness at the Ministry was in the hands
OF Mr. Jean d'Estournelles de Constant
the Minister for Fine Arts, and the
Chef de Cabinet, Mr.. Robert Brussel
These gentlemen as we'll as Mr.. Bene-
dite showed us the greatest consid
Grafton and courtesy. and left mat
tiers in the best OF shape and the ways
all smooth.
while in Paris a small committee OF
American artists was formed. who will
select some twenty or more works
over there to be added to the collec-
ton made up in the United States.
We held several meetings and COM
posed a list of names. To secure a
proper representation Of the artists
abroad also required more time. This
committee includes the well known
artists Walter Gay, Alexander Harri-
son and II. o. Tanner. Mr.. F. c.
Frieseke, who was invited to be
member, was unable to accept. With
respect to the opening, / had inter-
views with our Ambassador, Mr.. Wal
lace. and the veteran head of the
French school, Mr.. Leon Bonnat, en-
listing their cooperation in the official
ceremonies. and at a luncheon on
June there were speeches by the
talo hrt
liant success for this exhibition of
American art. The postponement was
made for the best interests of the ex-
hibition. and 1t is hoped that our con-
tributing artists will not be iucon-
venienced by the delay in the return
of their works. The only difference is
that they should be back here by the
end of the year instead of in October.
as at first expected. Our insurance
covers the extended period"
Who would believe that the average
family in this country. in which the
manufacture of furniture has assumed
such Importance, spends no moro than
SIS year for this purpose? Yet
Good Furniture comments more In
sorrow than anger on this discourage
ing disposition Of the American.
That Is all that Is being spent an
nually for furniture by our 100000
of families. Tho American people
never have spent much for furniture.
Furniture has never been made to
mean much to them. Made and sold
as q necessity, It has not yet advanced
far beyond that stage of appreciation.
The national expenditure for furniture
did not even keep pace with the
growth OF population during recent
decades Of our expansion.
From 1870 to 1890 the annual per
family expenditure for furniture ac-
tually decreased from 1885 in 1870
to $500 in 1890. In spite OF this de-
crease the increase in population
during this period was great enough
to cause the value Of the furniture
manufactured In America to increase
from SOS. 500. 900 in 1870 to $S6,5o0,-
900 in 1890. During those twenty
years the furniture factories Of Amer
lea were losing an annual business Of
about 100000 900.
Since 1890 the population has about
doubled and the per family appro-
priation for furniture has done a lit
tie better. Meanwhile the national
income has increased more than six |
field, according to the most reliable
statistics available. Making proper
allowances for the great concentra-
ton of wealth during this period. the
average sum which an American fam
fly could and would spend to-day. in
comparison with what 1t could spend
thirty years ago. has increased at
least threefold. Its expenditure for
furniture has gone only from 1855
to SIS, showing that does not shed