The New York herald., 1922-06-14
Berolzheimer Says Project De-
pends Upon the Sale of
the Opera House.
HYLAN ASSERTS CULTURE
Notes Rumor That He Hasn't
It. but Says He's the First
Mayor to Take 1t Up.

Mayor Hylan. other city officials
publishers of musical publications and
representatives of art organizations
talked over the s3o,ooo.oo0 music and
art center peace memorial proposal last
night at the annual dinner which Philip
Berolzheimer. City Chamberlain, gives
the Mayor. The dinner was served in the
Astor Gallery Of the Waldorf.
Health Commissioner Copeland pre-
sided. and introduced Mr.. Berolzheimer
to the 100 men and women who com
posed the party. The City Chamberlain
who Is head of the Mayors committee in
charge of the project said:
1T depends entirely On the Metro
politan Realty Company whether this
project we are discussing here tonight
goes through. We hope that the Metro
politan Realty Company will sell its
present property and make possible the
Peace Memorial"
Ten art organizations had already
expressed approval OF the pan. said Mr.
Berolzheimer, and had offered to help
He then gave the Mayor a drawing OF
the proposed building which has been
designed by Arnold w. Drummer. archi-
tect, and introduced Mr.. Drummer. The
latter said that the drawing was q
prophecy. The site chosen. on Fifty
ninth street at Seventh avenue, is he
said, the finest in the city for such build
ings as are proposed
The group, he said, would include an
opera house. an auditorium, civic
theater and fine arts building and
these would stand well apart There
would be three levels for entrance and
exit, one underground for the subways.
one on the level for pedestrians and one
above for automobile traffic. New York,
he declared. needs a great opera house
and has not one. the present opera house
being surrounded by flats. shops and
noisy streets.
Harry w. Watrous. president OF the
National Academy of Design, spoke of
the fact that while half of the artists In
the United States are In New York, this
city has poorer accommodations for
artists than twenty other cities. Mayor
Hylan, he said. would make this the
great art center of the world II the
proper support is given him.
Joseph Haag. who is on the commit
tee with Mr.. Berolzheimer, and Cor
poration Counsel OBrien also spoke
briefly and then the Mayor delivered a
prepared speech in which he said in
part:
Now and then I have been referred
ture' and particularly scientific culture
This reference has been made for the
most part by those who had ample op-
portunities. both in leisure and in money.
in their youth to acquire culture. II
has also been made by those in high
financial circles who are interested in
exploiting the people for personal and
private profit
However. / dare say ii will not be
denied that during my administration
OF the office of Mayor the first genu-
Inc move was made to advance the cul-
tural life of this city through the
creation of a great musical and enter
tainment center. Nor can it be success
fully gainsaid that we have made the
first effort to bring certain exclusive
within the compass OF the common
people.
The project Of a center for the ad-
vancement of education in music. drama
and other arts will undoubtedly receive
the hearty support of the people. and
this support will be manifested In the
tangible form required by the statute
under the provisions of which the build
ings are to be erected.
We must have the cooperation OF the
representatives of every form OF art
particularly tne people lueHtineu with
musical interests. as well as the people
at large. Without such complete CO.
operation. of course. the city can do
little TO accomplish the object sought
under tho law enacted at our request.
Might / just add for the benefit of
those who entertain any scruples as to
the project becoming subject 10 politicaI
manipulation that the personnel of the
committee In charge will be lmi.ed e.
those of ability and sincere interest In
the arts regardless of political. per-
sonal. racial or religious qualifications.