Evening star., 1937-08-27

lery OF Art-Whlch he stipulated
should not bear his name but which
nevertheless will be lasting monu-
ment to his memory.
As he lay on his deathbed at South
ampton, steam shovels and trucks
were tearing a great hole in the Mall
where the $l5,oOo.ooo depository for
the financier's priceless collection of
old masters will take shape as he had
so carefully planned it over a period
OF years
Not long before he left his beloved
Washington for his daughters home
on Long Lland-never to return-he
took one last, lingering look at the
excavation crew in action and, his
friends said, smiled in satisfaction
over the incipient realization OF his
cherished dream.
He had hoped. some months hence,
to stand there again and witness the
dedication Of the ediflce. Those who
knew his fond. unceasing interest in
the gallery said that would have been
the happiest moment in Melons life.
Excitement Sapped Strength.
There is little doubt that his ex-
citement and over-exertion. following
acceptance by his Government OF the
magnificent art gift. tended to sap his
already failing strength and lessen
his resistance to the inroads OF pneu-
monia.
His energy had been taxed to It's
peak since the last Christmas holi-
days, when he started the machinery
which was to lead to partial realiza-
ton Of his dream
Shortly before last Christmas ne
wrote 4 dignified but friendly note to
President Roosevelt, offering as a gift
to the Nation his huge art collection,
the value of which has been estimated
at figures ranging from $4,000, 900
upwards, and an imposing gallery in
which to house it.
In addition. he offered to esta blish
a $4,000 900 endowment to provide for
administrative expenses and for ac-
QUESTION of additional works Of art
of caliber equal to the rare master.
pieces he had assembled from the
SICdt SA1lCINS Oh Europe.
Called TO White House.
President Roosevelt. deeply I'M
pressed, asked Mellon to come to the
White House and discuss details Of
the gift. The meeting-which White
House attaches was long and friend
ly one and which was held with the
greatest secrecy-took place on last
New Year eve.
Mellon came here from his home in
Pittsburgh for the purpose, reopening
the large apartment on MaSsa chusetts
avenue which he has maintained
| since leaving public service here
The President thereafter made pub
lie Melons letter and q cordial reply,
in which Mr.. Roosevelt expressed his
surprise" and gratefulness and PROM
ised to recommend to Congress formal
acceptance of the gift.
! The only strings" which the phil
, anthropist tied to his offer was that
the gallery should not bear his name
and that it should BE supervised gen.
| orally by the Smithsonian Institution
nS"81HCu III ScClUS1On.
Mr.. Mellon himself refused to see
reporters or to make any public state
ment regarding the project. He re-
manned in seclusion in his apartment
here, while Congress considered his
offer and. after minor debate, enacted
| the necessary legislation by which the
Government will take over the COM
pleted enterprise.
His falling health had kept him in
doors most Of the past few months.
He summoned his remaining vieor
last May, however, to make = trip to
Pittsburgh where he spoke briefly at
the dedication Of the Mellon Institute
| Of Industrial Research.
He was saving all his strength for
that other dedication ceremony on the
Mall to which he had looked forward
so eagerly.
Before making the trip to Pitts
burgh, Mr.. Mellon increased the value
and attractiveness of his are collec-
ton by purchasing from the Goldman
Collection four noted paintings and
= rare sculpture.
The additions were Duccio's ma
tivity," Mantegna's "st. Jerome" Bel
linis Flight Into Egypt" Masolino' s
"Annunciation" and Donatello's statue
Of Madonna and Child"
Collection Under Guard,
Much Of his collection reposes under
guard in vaults Of the Corcoran GAL
lery Of Art, hidden from the public eye
until the unveiling in the National
Gallery.
The vaults were opened more than
q year ago, however, to permit Lord
Duveen, famous English art con-
noisseur, to appraise the painting prior
to his appearance as = witness for
Mellon at the income tax hearings
called by the Internal Revenue Bu-
reau.
At that time Duveen testified the
collection was without q peer in the
world. 1t was brought out that for
one painting alone. Raphaels ALBA
Madonna" which Duveen declared