Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-10

the central hall of the United
States National Museum. This
event marked the closing session of
the eleventh annual convention of the Photog-
raphers' Association of America, held in Wash
ington from August IL to Is. This elegant
statue, provided by the association, was formally
dedicated to the memory OF Louis Jacques
Mande Daguerre, the illuStrious Frenchman
who discovered the process of catching images
in the camera and holding them permanently.
Hence it has been said of him, That he
harneSsed the sun and made it record the ike
nesses of objects, living and otherwise
The memorial embraces an exquisitely fash
toned combination of granite, marble and
bronze, and stands IL feet high over all, huge
granite-based pedestal supporting large
marble sphere, symbolic of the terrestrial globe.
1t depicts the bronze figure of Fame placing the
laurel wreath about the medallion head of
Daguerre, supermposed underneath the marble
atlas; also encircled by the wreath embematic
of the universal benefits derived from his in
valuable contribution to civilization. And
chisled on the front of the statue is the lone
word-"Daguerre."
The following inscription is carved on the
Yight-hand side of the pedestal:
Photography the electric telegraph
and the steam engine are the three great
discoveries of the age. No five centuries
of human progress can show such strides
as these"
And on the reverse side is engraved
ITO commemorate the first half century
of Observation-Disclosures Erected by
the Photographers Association of Amer
lea, August, 1890"
lust why the memorial was set up inside the
Museum building is conjectural. 1t was
originally intended as an outside piece and so
designed Peradventure for sentimental rea-
sons, or otherwise, the delegates were loath to
leave it at the mercy of the weather man. Be-
that as IL may, the statue has since been trans
ferred to the Museum grounds and seems little
the worse of for its exposure to the elements
The memorial presents striking example Of
clever handiwork of Jonathan Scott Hawley,
eminent American sculptor and the organizer
of the Salimagundi Club. Mr.. Hawley attended
the convention in person TO witness the un-
yelling ceremony, and his ears must have
burned at the satirical comments made by
some of the delegates. Apparently the Western
group opposed its erection. They were also
displeased with the statue and made no bones
about it. One delegate was quoted as follows:
"I would gladly give money for Daguerre, ouC
not for such monStroSity as has been erected
Then a Mr.. Pickerell injected harmony into the
delegation TO the extent that $4,000 toward the
memorial was klckSu III at q oOAAI"AS 1N''A0iN'
And Mr. Hawley was affored the opportunity
to get even with the ridiculers of his sculptural
finesse when he delegated to criticize the
craftsmanship of the picture-takers.
Following are excerpts from the dedicatoiy
address of H. McMichael, one-time president
of the association, as reported in The Evening
Star under date of August Is, 1890:
although it may seem extravagant appre-
citation of the man TO whose memory we offer
TODAY a lasting and substantial tribute, trust
I do not misrepresent the voice OF the aSsocla-
ton when I say the unwilling Of this memorial
ifs one of the most significant events ever to
happen in this American Capital.
1.-THE statue in conception is entirely out OF
the commonplace or the conventional It pre-
sents a simplicity in keeping with the camera.
The camera has been the headlight of science.
It has explored the moon and the planetary
system. To the newspaper, the court and the
surgeon it has become useful assistant. II
human kind be here considered, may 1 not
ask is this not better than steam by land or
sea, electricity or dynamite projectiies?"
president J. M. APPLETON of Dayton,
Ohio, who presided at the convention, was
succeeded by George Hastings Of Boston; L. G.
Overpeck Of Hamilton, Ohio was named sec
rotary and DR.. G. M Carlisle of Washington
was reelected treasurer. Price-cutting, the per-
sistent octupus Of all merchants, was greatly
deplored and vigorously denounced and crafts
men engaging in the pernicious practice were
charged with sinking their art into the very
vortex Of the mire.
1t is interesting to note in this connection