Evening star., 1941-03-18

leredltn, 5. Inc young acrOpatS
rect Sc. Star Staff Photo.
speech, invited further gifts to the
gallery.
Donors may feel" he said, that
what they have collected with such
loving and absorbing interest will
give enjoyment and cultural advan-
tages to millions of their fellow
citizens"
One donors philosophy was ex-
pressed by Mr.. Kress, chain store
magnate, whose group of Italian art
was considered the most outstanding
held in private hands.
"Great Privilege" Says Kress.
ut is a great privilege to give our
best to our country" he said
"As an older person, feel this
particularly now when we are asking
our young men to place their lives at
the disposal and service of their
Government"
Il love my paintings, having lived
surrounded by them for many years.
Now the walls of my home are bare
of italian paintings and I shall
miss them. But I am happy in the
thought that during my lifetime my
collection, intact, is settled in my
country in permanent home"
In his invocation, Senate Chaplain
ze Barney Phillips asked that the
gallery might furnish an "inspira-
ton to high and holy living, looking
to the sovereignty of that quality of
citizenship which alone can reveal
the glorious splendor of our Nation"
The crowd which circulated among
the world-famous masterpieces be-
fore and after the brief dedication
ceremony was cosmopolitan.
Artist Sketches Guests.
It included Aaron Sopher, black
haired young artist, formerly of
Washington, who placed himself in
front of two Rembrandt paintings
and began to sketch with India ink
Curious guests who peeked over
his shoulder discovered he was
sketching them. not the works of
art.
Another visitor recorded the
scene with vest-pocket camera.
Included also was an enthusiastic
guest from Knoxville, Tenn, who
identified himself as purely a So
cialite." He said he had obtained
an invitation "after you don't know
how much trouble" and disclosed
the gallery SIS the first thing that
has interested me since the Worlds
Fair"
clothing and jewelry on these women
is not getting noticed" he observed
to reporter. They are smothered
in the magnificence of this place"
Dignity and Simplicity.
Representative Jennings RAN
dolph, chairman of the House Dis
trict Committee, bounded out of
the museum Immediately after the
ceremony, with the comment that
"too many people are in there"
About the building and collections,
however, he was enthusiastic.
They give feeling of tremend-
| our strength not usually associated
with art" he observed.
Another typical reaction came
from Ward M. Canaday, Toledo in
dustrialist. trustee of the Toledo
Museum of Art and chairman of the
WHY'S Motor Co. Board of Directors.
He was impressed by the fact that
paintings are "superbly displayed" !"
An effect of dignity and simplicity
is created, he said, that is really
representative of the Nation the
gallery serves. 1t is an inspiration" 3"
Five motion picture newsreel COM
panies were represented at the affair,
with a battery of "inkie" lamps
focused on the platform. Three
| radio networks broadcast the cere-
mony. A whole gallery chamber was
devoted to the working press, to the
right Of the President, Immediately
opposite a room reserved for dis
tinguished guests.
Dedication speakers emphasized
that the gallery is the creation of
many Observation-Disclosures, trus-
tees, financiers, builders, structural
engineers, lighting engineers and
landscape architects. Forty-five sub
contractors participated in construc-
ton.
President Roosevelt departed from
his prepared text to mention by
name John Russell Pope, who con-
ceived broad plans for the gallery
before his death in 1897. His work
was carried on by Otto r. Eggers
and Daniel Paul Higgins, until the
gallery was completed, built on $500
concrete piles upon what was once
swamp ground, three years and
three months after Mr.. MELONS
| death