Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
FINE ARTS BODY GIVEN
NEW DUTIES BY WAR
Designing of Soldier and Sailor Medals and
Recommendations for Changed Models
Among Other Accomplishments.
BY LEONARD oRMEROD.

BY LEONARD ORMEROD.
Congress when 1t brought
the Commission Of Fine Arts
into being nine years ago
have been laid on that group
Of seven men as a result of
the war with Germany. and considera-
ton Of war memorials and medals
medals has included everything from
the simple victory button that the ex-
service man wears on his lapel to the
landscape effects to be followed in
laying out the great American ceme-
teries in France.
Under the subtitle Of THE Great
War" twenty-six pages in the annual
report Of the commission, made pub
lie last week are given over to de-
signs and projects. some of which
have been accepted. some of which
are awaiting action and one recon-
sional medal for the Navy-which has
been definitely rejected by Secretary
Daniels.
L. 9. Medals Below Standard.
in view of the fact that the medals
and insignia bestowed upon AMI used
by the Army and Navy of tn. United
States are below the standards of
those of most Of the nations with
which our country was associated in
the world war" says the report of the
commission. the artists appealed to
the authorities in Washington TO give
heed to artistic qualities in the many
| new designs called forth by the crea-
| ton of large army. In letter
to the Secretary of War and the Secre-
| tary Of the Navy more than a year
ago the commission accordingly said
| that most of our badges have not
| been much above the plane OF those
sod on the streets during celebru-
TONS" and since that time no design
for badge. button or medal has been
approved without the advice of the
commission being asked. although this
advice has not always been followed.
In the case Of the victory medal
which will be given to every man and
woman who served in the Army, Navy
or Marine Corps during the war. the
| commission even went SO far as to
select dn artist to make The design in
accordance with the general outline
laid down by the allied and associated
governments IN Paris. and this work
by James E. Fraser, has met with
universal approval
Commission Approved Five.
In making the choice of q design
for the now familiar victory button
| the commission approved five designs
from which the War Department Sc
lected that by A. A. Weinman. Like
procedure was followed in obtaining
designs for the provost marshal collar
ornament, the Army Transportation
Corps insignia and certain insignia
for the air service.
THE entire subject Of medals deserves
serious consideration" says the an
nual report of the Fine Arts Com
mission. Medals are not playthings
They represent valor, achievement
service. They are worn on occasions
of the highest ceremony. Consequent
| ly. they should be perfect works OF
art. They may be simple and mex
pensive, but they ought to be good
Our highest medals-the two congress
sional medals Of honor-are now badly
designed. ill finished and cheap look
| not be made at random or according
to the caprice of the moment, but
should be carefully studied in the
light Of numismatics. as developed
during many centuries and as prac.
ticed among enlightened nations"
In criticising the Army congress.
sional medal Of honor the report says
THE present medal Is open to Sc.
rious objections from the point OF
view Of the medalist. The medal il
finished on but one side; it has a
cheap and insignificant appearance
The star hangs from two points in
stead of from one. as is proper; the