Evening star., 1935-09-22

petus to increased culture.
These two points were seized upon
In the editorial, to level gentle irony
ct the plan. The writer declared that
perhaps the best way to keep Wash
ington provincial would be the crea-
tion of Federal department designed
to make it cultural center" and that,
this can never be gained by super
imposing an appearance of culture
upon a people by Government sub
sides. Neither genius nor an appre-
citation of it is a matter of legisla-
ton" And further, Minus the nee
essary human equation, art and let
- remain fiat and meaningless,
lacking the th-dimensional ap-
peal"
While music is not specifically
mentioned in either article and ref
erence is made solely to the Greek
founders Of tragedy and comedy, all
art plans must include music and
therefore it is permissible to take up
the defense of any outline for the
furtherance of art, however difficult
OF accomplishment may seem the first
draft. The point is that every project
should be considered with open-mind-
edness and with the idea of encourag-
ing rather than discouraging the
originators and those interested in
the idea. 1t is time that the old ap-
proach to a new art idea be dis
carded, for the currents of public
progress are flowing in the way of the
Nations Capital and its citizens must
be prepared to meet them.
Sirovich Chooses Stars.
Mr.. Sirovich made no mistake in
holding up the three great Grecian
writer's as an attainable ideal, for
one of the soundest bits of advice for
gaining success is the well-known
adInonition to choose nothing less
than a star to which to attach the
chariot of endeavor. The efficacy
of this counsel has been proven, not
only in the career of the forenamed
GrecianS but since their day, IN
countless instances. Also he is
founding his plea for Government
subsidy on precedents established
when the glory of Greece" was
greatest and others put into success
full operation many times and in
many countries whose civilization fol-
lowed the dimming of the Athenian
state.
Undoubtedly when Greece and
Rome first thought out some plan for
the encouragement of art there were
citizens who said 1T can't be done"
They, too perhaps argued that genius
will find its own way and that the
ordinary run of people could not be
benefited by having art thrust upon
them unless they yearned to have 1t
so. Art history, however, has proven
the contrary and we of the twentieth
century are the benef1ciaries OF the
vision and understanding Of the great
minds Of those far-off days. The very
fact that the writings OF the three
Greeks can still be taken as examples
of fine writing after the so-called
progress since the fourth century BIC,
the time of their flourishing, is proof
that if art is encouraged it will pro-
duce works that will live forever, even
after the decline of all other things.
Aeschylus, Sophocles-a musician
also of no mean ability-and Aristo-
phanes each gained recognition Wnen
in their early 2Os. Each fulfilled MS
duties as citizen, fighting for country
and serving it in diplomatic and gov
ernmental capacity. Yet they touno
time to write innumerable WORKS
which served, not only to develop Iile
art of the drama, but are today re-
garded as inexhaustible wells from
which can be drawn the style ana
material for great writing.
Geniuses and Opportunity.
Undoubtedly also, these young men
we're geniuses and would have oeen
heard from no matter what opposl-
ton they encountered. But they were
riyen the opportunity to enter con-
tests to prove their talent and tne
competitions were eagerly followed by
a public which had been encouraged F;
to think in terms OF art.
The writer of the editorial is right
when he says that the human equa-
ton" is necessary and that esteem for
art can not be forced upon the ordl-
nary individual Yet how can one be
sure that there is not deep, latent
desire among the masses in this coun-
try for art, and especially music.
which, if the way were opened, would
reveal itself. What artists have been
trying to impress upon the people OF
this country-and they bring European
Endorsement to their contention-is
that America is magnificently rich in
talent whether of the kind that seeks
public display or prefers to be passive
In the actual performance Of art. Ger
tain evidences of appreciation are
known, but there remains an un-
touched vein of true love of art ready
10 supply the human equation" How
to get at it? How to give it the i'm
pulse to function? Surely Government
subsidy Of art enterprises will help
solve the problem.
The psychology Of Government
handling of any question is great.
There attaches Immediately an impor-
tance and a value to the idea of the
kind that often is the only thing to
influence some minds. This makes a
good beginning for those who vaguely
desire but seldom do.
OF course the ideal procedure would
be for talent and genius to pursue
their way to the heights by their own
power, but that has seldom been the