Evening star., 1924-02-28
SCIENTISTS FAVOR
NATIONAL GALLERY
Priceless Collections Now
Pressed Out of Way by
Great Museum Art Exhibits.

The scientists Of the United States,
who have noticed with apprehension
the way in which the visual history
Of mans occupation Of the world is
being crowded aside in the National
Museum to give makeshift space to
priceless art collections that are being
given to the federal government, are
now supporting the campaign of the
American Federation Of Arts for a
National Art Gallery
This is emphasized by Charles D.
Walcott, secretary Of the Smithsonian
Institution, under whose administra-
and the National Gallery of Art. The
Smithsonian institution" DR. Walcott
explains, was founded through a be-
quest by James Smithson, an Eng
lishman, in 1886. Art was included
among the branches to be cultivated;
but science and history claimed prin-
cipal attention in the early days.
The collection of American arche-
oIogy, brought together by more than
half century Of devoted labors, ts
now one of the most important arch
Biological collections in the entire
world and is visited annually by
scientists from practically every other
nation. II should be constantly ex-
pandine instead Of being restricted"
DIR. Walcott points out.
Demand for More Space.
During recent years the art col
Iections given to the United States
government for preservation and
81. .0o0, 900 have been demanding in
creasing Space The Smithsonian
institution, having no special provf-
sion for the housing of art works.
cares for It's collections in such
the four buildings of the smithsonian
group, which were intended and de-
signed for scientific and historical
exhibits Finally it became neGeSI
eshibits-fgure I groups illustrating,
the Indian tribes-from tn g main
central hall OF what is known as the
New National Museum.
"The more recent problem has eeen-
TO provide still further space Tor the
collection of portraits. including the
twenty-one portraits OF diStlnSulSnea
leaders OF America and the allied
nations in the war with Germany.
ranged by taking q part or the Han
of American Archeoiogy on the
second floor Of the Natural History
building. thus crowdrng, archaeology
and side halls.
Hovsea in Dark Corridors.
scientists have been fearful that
the arowing acquisitions OF art
treasures would before long supplant
the anthropoIogical specimens when
are recognized as the best coilectlon
tIiey are housed in one Of the dark
uprer corridors Of the museum.
"For this reason, and because
science and art should both have
buildings Of special design in which
served for posterity could be suit
ably displayed for study by scientists,
artists and historians, the scientists
have Joined with devotees of art and
exhibits In urging the necessity Tor
early erection of q specially designed
national home for art" DR.. Walcott
say; N.,,.n.. Gallery now pos
sesses paintings by Titan. Luini,
Rueens. Rembrandt, Macs, Gains
borough, Reynolds, Turner, Romney,
Raeburn. Hogarth, Constable and
many other artists Of note. Charles
eminent the most important art COL
lection it has yet received and pro.
yided a gallery building at cost
Of $1,250,000 when he discovered the
entire lack Of suitable national ac-
'"The United States cannot expect
other citizens to provide a building
Of suitable size to accommodate not
only the existing gallery. but the
scores Of valuable COLLECTIONS that
Will be given to the United states as
soon as the government IS able to
properly display them
sim Awaits Buildine.
America Is the only great nation
in the world without an adequate
gallery building, and national pride
should be deeply stirred by this fact.
The United States government has
granted the Smithsonian Institution
a. site on the Mall In the city Oh
Washineton for a building to accom-
modate the art collection OF the ma
tion," continued DR.. Walcott.
A fund of $4,000 has been raised
by leading art lovers Of the country
FOR the purpose of securing. archi.
tects' plans for a national gallery OF
art. A noted architect, Charles A.
,ho An