The New York herald., 1922-09-03
By ). K. MUMFoRD.

Siers' memorial In Kansas City, the
plans for which have been made by
81 Van Buren, Magonigle OF this city.
It Is estimated that three years will
Be required for the completion OF the
work. on which about two million
dollars will be expended
But when the soldiers memorial is
6nished Kansas City viii only have
arted on her new program OF de-
Kelopment. Behind this initial un-
eertadng. impressive both In con-
pept and the popular fervor with
Nhich it Is launched. there is story
= civic pride and wakened ambition
which has deep significance.
There is no sectional bias displayed
D the admission that until now Kan
Gas City has not BEEN conspicuously
forward In devotion to the higher
forms OF art. and the impulse which
has found its first expression in this
memorial shaft is without doubt the
most definite step that has yet been
taken in the United States toward
she Identification Of a city.
It is perhaps the first large demon
stration of the ancient thesis that
war Is a stimulant TO art, for Kansas
City. moved by q desire to make fine
acknowledgment OF appreciation to
49, l. 10 Of
Improvement in which. when II is
complete, the soldiers' monument
vim be only one. and perhaps not
the greatest, factor. It confirms also
the contention TO give inspiration
firm and being . Maecenas Is in
dispensable.
In this fnstance-which Is even
more interesting-the Maecenas hap
pens to be the people. who to the
number OF $4,000. residents Of the
city. have gone down gladly into
their pockets to pay the bill: and it
q going to be some bill. since the
construction planned will require,
and almost certainly receive. a total
sum in the neighborhood Of fifty
million dollars.
Beef Center Seeks Art Crown
Kansas City has never been beau
rfuL II grew up where IL did. not
because the location had any appeal
TO the aesthetic sense or because in
It's site or environment there was
an initial asset OF beauty: but
rather because. In spite Of the some
what cherries background, the situ-
alton bespoke convenience to busi-
ness and industry. In the upoulding
of a pioneer West And It has be-
come, In the course OF the years. a
sort OF synonym for material pros
perity.
Kansas City has grown rich. but
= has never gons In for the accu-
mutation Of "pretties- or the tnau-
Aentic dewdads which litter so
many homes and 50 many cities OF
the East Having acquired the
means. It seems now to have come
logically definitely and In due sea
son-to the conclusion that the time
has arrived 10 adorn its habitation.
n put Itself on the artistic map and
acquire the finish and the art treas
ures which it is more or less the duty
e wealth to possess
It h starting to do the thing in
he large Western way. with a clear
6sion OF the goal and a calm dis
Dgard OF the cost Kansas City as
afras to be the art center, as II has
= time gone by been the beef and
Sork center, OF the United States.
Ind Il makes no bones whatever
Shout saying so
Years ago Morrison Mumford.
Suner Of the Kansas City Times,
dreamed dream OF some such
sAing. but the West which Kansas
City typified. and In whose nervous
system It was such an important
-angton, was still In the making. 1t
Gas not ready for art-or even for
elaborate homea Tho Restricted"
Sktension OF those early days. the
Gavely outlined system of wide
gn cts and better buildings, in what
cas- then the new portion OF the town.
Femain as a record OF premature
aspiration and endeavor. II the