Evening star., 1938-02-13
ART MEASURES IN CONGRESS
Comprehensive Proposal for Department of Science Art and Lit
erature Meets Obstacles-Bureau of Fine Arts and Sue
gested Smithsonian Gallery.

be tolerated for . moment by a free
people.
For a Smithsonian
Gallery of Art.
THE third bill, H. J. Res 2s0, to the
contrary. gives recognition On the
part Of the Government to a national
debt Of honor which should be paid
promptly and in full. 1t was introduced
on March IS, 1887. by Congressman
Keller as joint resolution. which was
referred to the Committee on Library,
and is at present somnolent. Framed
at the time that Congress accepted the
munificent gifts of the late Andrew
w. Mellon, it was designed to meet
one Of the conditions that he made
with the purpose Of upholding in the
National Gallerys collections the high
est possible standard.
1t provides a site and the sum Of
$4,000, 900 for building to be erected
on the south side of the Mall. between
Twelfth and Fourteenth streets on
Constitution avenue, to be known as
the Smithsonian Gallery OF Art, TO
house the collections already in the
possession of the Government, given
to National Gallery Of Art (aside
from Mr.. Melons gift). and such
other works as may be later donated
or purchased. Administrative funds
for the conduct OF such . gallery are
also provided.
When Harriet Lane Johnston died,
she left her collection of works Of art
to National Gallery of Art provided
such existed, or in the event it did not,
to the Corcoran Gallery OF Art. A
friendly suit was instituted with the
result that a decision was handed
down in 1906 by Justice Stafford Of
the Supreme Court of the District of
Columbia, to the effect that National
Gallery Of Art existed under the Smith
sonian Institution by virtue Of the
wording of the Smithsonian gift.
Shortly after this declaration, Viii
liam T. Evans Of New York presented
to the National Gallery of Art q val
liable collection Of paintings by Amer
lean artists. and later still, his friend.
Henry w. Ranger left his entire estate
to create fund for the extension and
perpetuation Of this collection through
additional purchases Immediately
following the Great War, a self-consti-
tuted committee presented to the Ma
tional Gallery Of Art distinguished
group Of portraits of leaders in the
war, painted by the foremost American
artists, under commission.
Finally, Ralph Cross johnson Of
this city left his small. but superb
collection by old masters to the Ma
tional Gallery Of Art and John Gel
latly Of New York transferred to the
National Gallery of Art by deed Of
gift the collection which he had spent
his life and fortune in accumulating.
In compliance with Mr.. Melons
request, when his gifts were accepted,
these previous gifts were transferred
from the National Gallery of Art to
The National Art Collections" and
so styled. They are today, as when
they were given, homeless. A limited
amount of space in the National
Museum, Natural History Building,
has been assigned for their exhibition,
but the majority are in storage In the
basement. After making these gen.
erous gifts, by an unfortunate turn
Of circumstance, two Of the donors,
William T. Evans and John Gallsnty,
lost their fortunes and died in COM
parative poverty. Their gifts had
been given. and received, In good
faith, for q national gallery tor col.
lection) of art to be seen freely by al
the people.
As for the National Gallery Of Art,
obviously many Of the works included
in these collections do not uphold the
standard set by Mr.. Melons collec-
tion, which is, incidentally. Of incom-
parable merit and value. Presumably
the donors would have approved the
action that has been taken by the
Government, but these facts do not
relieve the Government Of its obi
CATION to donors to provide for their
gifts adequate showing.
The proposed Smithsonian Gallery
Of Art, will, 1t is understood, stand in
relation to the National Gallery of Art
as the Luxembourg to the Louvre. 1t
would, in other words, be . testing
ground in which contemporary works
may be shown and prove their value.
There is no reason why works should
not eventually be transferred from the
Smithsonian Gallery Of Art to the
National Gallery Of Art If they stand
this test. Furthermore, it is under
stood that this gallery would provide
regiona. exhibitions of high standard
and in every way encourage the pur.
chase and display Of current produc-
tions by American artists.
1t is true that the majority Of art
institutions of this country have
been established and are maintained
through the munificence of private
individuals. But as the Government
maintains the Library Of Congress
and certain scientific departments,
there is no reason why it should not
likewise recognize the value of art
and support art institutions, such -
this. OF equally high standard. In any
event, suitable provision for the col.
lections previously given to the Ma.
tional Gallery Of Art, their housing,
their upkeep and display, is q matter
which should be regarded ~ Q m.