Evening star., 1925-07-19
BY MARGARET b. DOWNING.

bl MARCAhEE b. DOW N1NG.
Mr.. Charles Moore. the chairman of
the Commission of Fine Arts, created
some 10 years ago by act Of Congress
to maintain the high standard of
beauty embodied in L'Enfant's orig
inal plan for the Federal City, with
his colleagues, faces veXatious prob
lem in the acceptance of worthy and
appropriate gifts of furniture for the
White House. The members of this
commission are, in addition TO Mr..
Moore, Nr. James l.. Greenleaf. Mr..
Louis Ayres and Mr.. William Adams
Delano of New York City, Mr.. II.
Siddons Mowbray of Washington.
Conn; Mr.. Milton h. Medary. jr., of
Philadelphia, and Mr.. dorado Taft of
Cincinnati. Associated with this
group of artists, architects, sculptors
and experts on art in the broadest
sense are Col. Clarence Sheriff. and
his recently appointed aide, Col. L. 5.
Grant, Sd. Col. Sheriff. will have the
last word on what actually Is taken
from the White House and what is
added to the rather miXed-up collec-
tion of household equipment, after
the Commission of Fine Arts has rem
dered an opinion in each instance.
But it has been Indignantly pointed
out that a knowledge Of true values
in all art has not been limited by the
Alleghanies For ii will be noted that
every members of this commission,
except Mr.. Taft. is domiciled within
the boundaries of the thirteen orig
inal States. Mr.. Moore, the chairman,
is from Detroit, but he has lived IN
Washington more than 30 years ana
now calls it home. Mr.. Taft is the
youngest member Of the board ana
was appointed few months ago to
4, .n6 nf
New York Chicago has scores OF
splendid architects. artists and sculp-
tors. vet their ideals are unrepresented
on this board. which will have the
task of refurnishinG the most reVered
home within the boundaries of the
American republic.
Mrs. Coolidge. in her praiseworthy
ambition to restore American con-
cepts in this most conspicuous OF
American homes, faces many dlfhcul,
ties, so far as the first floor is con-
sidered. The meagerness of the ap-
propriation-S50 .000-will exclude ann
changes of moment. However, there
can be no doubt that her wish to re-
store the portraits of the hrst
ladies of the land and to rehang
some of them in the east room Will
be respected. Mr.. Charles +. Mchim
covered the walls of this historic
chamber with enameled panels OF the
fables of La Fontaine, such as adorn
the French royal palace at Com
peicne. But the beautiful canvases
of the former mistresses of the White
House would make a far more last
ing appeal to the visitors to the man
sion in the present time as they dld
before the MCkim restoration. Inc
State dining room is stately apart
ment which could not be improved.
But it is the private apartments OF
the Chief Executive which are I'M
peratively in need OF consideration.
What gifts will be accepted out OF the
avalanche which has descended upon
Col. Sheriff. and the Fine Arts Com
mission will certainly make for con
troversy for many a day. But no
matter from what source comes a
proffered gift for the re-equipment oil.
the White House, it will have TO pass
the ultimate test of possessing heauty
in itself. of being harmonious with It's
surroundings, and built Of durable
material.
Mr. Hugh d. Auchincloss' marriage
to Miss Maya de ChrapoVltsky III the
Russian Cathedral in New YORK
brought a large contingent of New
port society to that edif1ce July ".
MANY of the guests had never at
tended a religious service In the
Cathedral of st. Nicholas and they
found il a most wonderful experience.
Flowers are never used on the altar
of Russian churches or for that mat
ter on any in European countries,
hut their absence is atoned by the
beauty of paintings and of stained
glass. Above the marvellous golden
altar in St Nicholas is a painting OF
Christ walking in a field of wheat
and the light from deep yellow
glass window streamed over 1t dur
ing the nuptiaI service and with a
beautiful effect. The bride is the
daughter of a prominent eXiled Rus
sian of New York. Mrs. christopher
Derfeldeu. Mr. Auchincloss, who is
a member of one of the most notable
IA miles in New York State. was the
earnest assistant of his wife in the
Russian Refugee Relief Society and
he aided her in arranging The Dance
IN the Cherry Orchard" on which art
critics lavished such praise and which
was inspired by the famous Chekhov
play in Park Lane Theater. Mr..
Auchincloss is the son of the late
Hugh D. Auchincloss owner of the
splendid Hammersmith Farms at
Newport, and his mother was Miss
Emma D. Jennings of Baltimore. His
cousin. Gordon Auchincloss, married
Miss Janet House and was with her
frequently in Washington when Col.
House was. an intimate friend of the
late President Wilson.
The managers of the national horse
show in New York City, admittedly
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