Evening star., 1928-05-16
Stresses High Ideals Before
Association of Museums and
Federation of Arts.
RAISING OF MORALS SEEN
IN BETTER SURROUNDINGS
Through Contact With Beautiful
We Are Brought Closer to In
finite" Says Mr.. Coolidge.

A plea for more art and beauty in
the daily lives of the American people
in order that their moral standards
might be raised was made by President
Coolidge this morning IN an address
opening the joint convention at the
Mayfiower of the American Association
of Museums and the American Fedora
ton Of Arts.
1T is especially the practical side of
art that needs more emphasis, the
President said.
we need" he added. Ito put more
effort into tranSlating art into the daily
lives of the people. If we could sur
round ourselves with forms of beauty,
the evil things of life would tend to dis
appear and our moral standards would
be raised. Through our contact with
the beautiful We see more OF the truth
and are brought into closer contact
with the infinite.
Becoming Actual Reality.
"Our country has reached a point
where this is no longer a visionary de-
sire, but is becoming an actual reality.
With general prosperity, with high
wages. with reasonable hours of labor,
has come both the means and the time
to cultivate the artistic spirit.
"Philanthrophy has given the people
access to all that Is most beautiful in
form and color. 1t is theirs without
money and without price, If they viii
but go and possess it. Out of our agri-
culture, our commerce and our industry
we can see already emerging new
spirit The potential is becoming actual.
Through science and invention grad
ually, but surely, We are banishing the
drudgery OF existence and bringing into
every avenue of living a touch of the
artistic. We are working out the ideal
under which every one will realize that
they are artists. in their employment,
In their recreation and in their relations
with one another"
Art Here Stimulates Nation.
The orderly and artistic development
of the National Capital, he said, mas
helped to stir the national art con-
seriousness" and has been an inspiration
for similar development of other cities
all over the country. He referred par
ticularly TO the impetus given to city
planning here and elsewhere BY the
Mcmillan Commission, created In 1901,
which mot only pointed the way back
20 flaes original LsEnfant plan for the
National Capital. but started national
for the more orderly and
artistic development of our cities
"The elaborate plans now under way
for the construction OF public puild-
ings, which win make Washington the
most beautiful capital in the world,
the President continued, lis one OF tnet
results of this movement"
How the zoning laws, which were In
tended originally to keep industry from
spreading through cities at random,
and the limitations placed on the height
and character OF buildings in recent
years have brought about the develop
ment of distinctive type Of American
business architecture was explained by
the President.
"If clothes make the man-and cer-
taiflly good dress gives one q sense oil
and poise--how much more
Is it true that clean. beautiful sur
roundings lend moral tone TO a COM
he said Gradually we are
getting rid of the soualor of the slums
Of our big cities and Of the oppressive
ualiness OF some Of the small towns"
Move to Coordinate Effort.
Prominent educators we're here today
TO join with the authorities on art.
science and history IN an effort TO CO.
ordinate the museum resources ot the
country in the interests OF education.
This is the first time such an organized
effort toward coordination has been
made, and the last day OF the meeting
will be devoted to open discussion oi
its possibilities.
lawrence Vail Coleman. director of
the Museum Association. urged special
training for museum personnel analo-
gous to that now given librarians. The
success of the "trailside museum"
method OF labelling trees and rocks In
national and State parks was also de-
gcribed by Mr.. Coleman, who announced
a grant Of $4,000 from the Laura
gpelluan Rockefeller Memorial for ex-
tending the work to the Yellowstone
National Park. 1t already has been in
alQurated In the Palisades Interstate
PARK. Grand Canyon National Park
and the Yosemite Valley, he said. and
a further grant OF $4,000 has been
made for the expenses OF committee,
10 be appointed by the Secretary OF the
Interior, for a survey OF educational
work In the national parks.
Travelling Exhibits Success.
The SUCCESS OF the American Fedora
ton Of Arts in sending out "A travelling
exhibitions of paintings during the past
wear was emphasized in the annual re-
port of Miss Leila Mechlin. secretary Of
that organization.
The afternoon session OF the two or
paulzationB is being devoted 10 a joint
meeting on art museum problems.
Flske Kimball, director OF the Penn
sylyania Museum In Philadelphia, said
that one OF the most important develop
menta hinges on the new relationships
being built up between museums and
industries In their immediate vicinity,
He outlined his plans for assisting
craftsmen and others engaged In the
industrial arls through the use Of spe-
ciaIly selected museum material,
Radical changes in the appearance OF
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