The New York herald., 1922-04-05
music CENTER BILL
SIGNED BY MAYOR
City to Supply Site; Build
ing to Come From En-
dOwment.
MIGHT DETER CRIME
Hylan Grasps at Kahn's
Proposal of Emotional
Outlet.
TO BE WAR MEMORIAL
Huge Project Contemplates
Housing Common Enter
prise Of All Arts.
TO BE WAR MEMORIAL

Steps toward the creation of music
center in New York We're taken yes
terday when Mayor Hylan signed the
bill passed by the last Legislature au-
thorizing the municipal government to
take the initiative in bringing together
musical societies and institutions in a
common enterprise all devoted to
higher education in music and the dra-
matte arts.
Otto H. Kahn, chairman of the
board of directors Of the Metropolitan
Opera House, and others prominent in
the musical world were enthusiastic in
urging the Mayor to sign the BILL
There was no opposition. A committee
representing the city administration
had reported favorably on the project
and outlined generally the kind of
building needed. 1t is suggested that
a permanent committee of leaders in
the art world now be formed to carry
ahead the work. Mr.. Kahn said:'
"The purpose OF democracy means to
get not only larger wages for the people
Out diSO 10 get lOT lllNti Whae Nh>S 'sNN--
in the artistic world. Some of the reck-
lessness, restlessness and, indeed, some
Of the crime of the day springs from the
desire to give impulse to this emotion OF
the soul. Most of the lives of the people
are spent in dullness and monotony. and
crime may be due to the desire to get
away from that monotony."
do YOU think that music might deter
the people from committing crime?' the
Mayor asked eagerly.
Mr. Kahn said that music would pro-
vide an outlet for destructive forces.
"Of course / am in favor of keeping
down crime" the Mayor said seriously.
"One of the newspapers suggests we
ought to put cop in every home"
II would rather put piano in every
home" said Mr.. Kahn.
"Pianos for Burglnrs.'
Leonard Liebling, editor of The Mnsi-
cal Courier, said that such an institution
as is proposed would go far toward max
ing better citizens and therefore making
a better city. He added:
Mr.. Kahn says to put pianos in the
homes of the people. ] would go further
and say put pianos in the homes Of the
burglars. IL we erect a building to
house monkeys and give them parallel
bars on which to exercise why can't we
provide a building for musicians and
give them musical instruments to ex-
ercise on?'
There was a large attendance at the
N N afz1 irtA ~
Chamberlain. and Joseph Haag. secre-
tary of the Board OF Estimate. reported
favorably on the bill. Letters approving
the project were read from George Cor
don Battle, Felix NJ. Warburg. DR.. WILL
lam c. Carle and David Belasco.
DR.. John G. Freund. editor OF Musical
America, said he was Republican but
was thankful to have lived to see the
day that such a bill as this Is under
consideration by n Tammany Mayor"
Don't you know that Tammang pro-
crosses like everyone else?' the Mayor
asked sharply. DR.. Freund said he
hoped so.
Other speakers were DR.. Eugene
Noble. director of the Juilliard Founda-
ton: Miss Isabelle Louden, Edmund
Franko Goodman and Joseph p. Hen
messy. Park Commissioner of The Bronx.
"a Musical village"
In their report on the enterprise
Messrs. Berolzheimer and Hoog stated:
The building itself should be an
Architectural triumph. erected upon
lost desirable site, as near the center
OF the city as possible. The building
would represent a peace memorial. 1t
sShould contain auditoriuins for the pro-
sduction Of opera. others for concerts.
another large auditorium for the pro-
sduction OF the classic drama and comedy
and small auditoriums for chamber mu-
sic and the intimate theater: rooms suf-
ficient for practice rooms for both vocal
and instrumental and rooms TO accosno-
date the Conservatory OF Music: build
ing TO accommodate a musical village
SIS expressed by one OF our distinguished
citizens and patrons OF music.
Provision might also be made for
salon at which the native artist could
exhibit his creations. The enterprise
would embrace every branch of the
musical and the dramatic arts.
The city could well afford TO con-
tribute the site. The endowments all
ready made and those that may be
nsade-and very likely will be--together
with the already existing activities, could
well furnish the building. and its income
could provide for its maintenance"