The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-07-10
BY J. Mach.

4
| in America! 1t is not a fairy tale,
nor is it'a dream. An ardent music
! lover Of New York city, the late Au-
| gustus D. .Juilliard. financier and pa
/ iron of art, has left this munificent
| bequLst to music in his will, to be
! used for the advancement of music
| under the name of the 'Juilliard
! Music Foundation"
1t is the largest endowment ever
made in the interest of music.
The news of this great benefit to
| the country comes hand in hand
with a new draft Of a bill in Con-
gress for a National Conservatory of
| Music and Art, with headquarters in
Washington, that has recently been
| presented by Congressman Jerome +.
Donovan, OF New York, who has aim
! ed to overcome the difficulties that
the Fletcher bill for the same cause
| seemed to embody.
Thus, almost in q moment-Gnd
| with Peace bringing new energies to
the culture Of the land-do two new
opportunities await the best efforts
OF the trustees Of these great enter
prises.
Augustus D. Juilliard was for many
years a director and boxholder In
the Metropolitan Opera Company. He
came originally from Burgundy in
France. as did his wife, who shared
his philanthropic ideals.
So great a gift from an American
OF French birth, for the high art OF
the nation, comes as an suspicious
testimony, at this time, of the art
ideas that may further link the sis
ter republics together.
How Money IL To BE Spent.
The administration OF this vast
trust is no slight thing. And there is
wide latitude allowed the executors
OF the will, in its application TO music
for America.
Specifically. the will directs that
the income OF this large sum be used
as follows: |
Cal To aid worthy students Of
music in securing a complete and
adequate musical education either at
appropriate institutions now in ex-
istence or hereafter to be created,
or from appropriate instructors in
this country or abroad.
(b) To arrange for and to give
without profit TO it musical entertain
ments, concerts and recitals of a
character appropriate for the educa-
ton and instruction OF the general
public in the mGsical arts; and
(c) ITO such extent as il may be
lawfully entitled so to do without af-
Iecting the validity Of the trust by
this section OF my will created) TO
aid by gift or part Of such income at
such times and to such extent and in
such amounts as the trustees of said
foundation may in their discretion
deem proper, the Metropolitan Opera
Company in the city of New York, for
the purpose of assisting such organi-
cation in the production OF operas,
provided that suitable arrangements
can be made with such company so
that such gifts shall in nowise inure
to its monetary profit.
Otto Kahn's Opinion.
The opinions OF leading influences
in opera in the United States are
quoted in Musical America on this
great musical outlook OF the country.
Otto II. Kahn, chairman OF the Met
ropolitan Opera Company, says:
The Juilliard Musical Foundation
is worthy of the man who conceived
and made it. one Of the most high
minded and public spirited as he was
one of the wisest, kindliest and most
unassuming men that it was my priyt-
elege to come in contact with.
The value of this bequest is not
Its worth is greatly enhanced by its
significance and example" Then he
speaks of theNgenerosity Of our men
Of wealth TO universities. hospitals,
etc. adding:
But to the immensely large and
important field of art relatively scant
attention has thus far been given by
such men. except in the matter OF
legacies to museums. Very few only
have recognized art as the potent Cdu
cational and social factor which it is.
and have taken il as serious as il de-
strongest among the agencies having
power to form and guide the thought !
and sentiments and conduct Of the
people.
"That so wise. cooI-hcaded. conserv-
ative. and universally respected a !
business man as Mr.. JuillIard has
given such conspicuous and resound- |
ing testimony 10 his recognition of
the place of art in American life and !
Of its civic value, is of suspicious sig |
nifcance. What he has done for mu-
steal art in New York others may and !
probably will do in other cities. What
he has done for music others, it is |
greatly to be hoped. will Go for the |!
arts of painting, sculpture, acting, and |
so forth.
And five will give to art more |
and more scope and place Of honor to |
which it is entitled-fostoring atten- |
ton and adequate opportunity to |
genuine aspirations and talent. and |
due reward to genuine merit. We |