Evening star., 1941-03-18

a good part of her life running
around to art museums of America
and Europe, lectured on the paint
ings and sculpture. She carried with
her sheaf of magazine and news
paper clippings on her subject, to
which she referred in exclaim1ng
over the color of Rembrandt or a
Pieter de Hooch.
A force of 95 coat-checkers was
taxed last night to care for silk
hated gentlemen and their wives in
fur wraps, although guests troopeo
in for two hours before the
ceremony.
Speakers found themselves con-
fronted by a sea of faces stretching
from the east hall through the state
ly rotunda and west hall to west
garden court, scented by golden
mimosa blossoms. Side galleries were
filled to the corner of the building
Mr.. Mellon, 33, of Upperville, Va.
was visibly affected as he told the
throng he was turning over my
fathers collection to be dedicated
forever to the use and enpoyment
of the people of the United States.
In presenting the building an6
collection to President Roosevelt. Mr.
Mellon recalled that a national gal.
lery of art "is the realization of q
plan formed by my father many
years ago, soon after he came tC
Washington"
Center Of Scholarship.
He announced that this building
will contain, eventually, a library
of books and photographs available
for students" In this way, he de.
clared 1T may serve more fully
the cause of education in art, and
become a center of scholarship in
this country"
Tribute was paid to Andrew Mel
lon by Chief Justice Hughes. Mr.
Hughes spoke as head of bureal
under the Smithsonian Institution
and chairman of gallery trustees.
He declared the treasure house
does not bear the name OF Mellon
las he requested it should not, but
it will nonetheless always be q
memorial to his public spirit"
The crowd did not hear another
tribute to Mr.. Mellon, paid by a
small, white-haired man nearly lost
in the throng. j. A. Irwin, who
identified himself as Mr.. Melons
first clerk-way back in the 1880s,
had come from Pittsburgh, where
he hao worked under Mr.. Mellon for
half century.
Il can't take it all in," he said a.
he looked at the paintings, some Of
them valued at over 81 100000. Blu
I'm impressed by peoples happiness
when they walk in here. Mr.. Mellor
has done great good.'
Rotunda Impresses Guests.
AS the hundreds of art lover.
poured into the magnificent building
for the first time, they were appar.
emily most impressed as they cams
upon the lofty vaulted rotunda, il
whose center plays a fountain
topped by the famous statue O.
Mercury, by Giovanni Bologna
Heads were tipped back as gazes rar
up and down the great green marble
pillars, quarried in Italy and shipped
out at the last minute before Rom'
went to war, and given their perfec
finish by Vermont craftsmen.
Here stood Senator Glass of Vir'
ginia during the Presidents speech
Friends urged the octogenaria1
| statesman to take seat at tn,
fountain edge during the ceremonies
but he refused. Also observed among
the guests was Charles Francis Ad
ans, former Secretary of the Navy
Guests walked to the music o
three separate sections of the Marin'
Band Orchestra, playing in various
corners Of the museum. The sec
tions were directed by Capt. William
H. Santelmann, Second Leader Hen
~ Weber and Musician Andrew
Bodnar.
Many old Treasury Department
associates Of Andrew Mellon werl
present. Among them was DAME
| w. Bell, career man who ros'
under Mellon and who is now Under
secretary of the Treasury.
Further Gifts Invited.
President Roosevelt, in his ad
dress, declared that Mr.. Mellon, IL
giving the building, has matched
the richness of his gift with thu
modesty of his spirit"
At the same time he declared
that great works of art have ,
way of breaking out of private own
ership into public use. They belonl
50 obviously to all who love then
- that the private rooms ant
houses where they have lovingl,
hung become In time too marrow
for their presence. The true col
lectors are the collectors who under
stand this"
Ohts1 Justice HUGHES, n Q buls