![Transcription Center logo](/themes/custom/tc_theme/assets/image/logo.png)
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
^[[✓]] ^[[RL]] [[preprinted]] THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF ARTS BARR BUILDING, FARRAGUT SQUARE, WASHINGTON, D. C. 40 EAST 49TH STREET NEW YORK, N.Y. UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA LINCOLN, NEBRASKA ELIHU ROOT, HONORARY PRESIDENT FREDERIC ALLEN WHITING, PRESIDENT ROBERT W. DE FOREST, CHAIRMAN OF BOARD F. P. KEPPEL, 1ST VICE-PRESIDENT GEORGE D. PRATT, 2ND VICE-PRESIDENT C. C. ZANTZINGER, 3RD VICE-PRESIDENT FREDERIC A. DELANO, TREASURER LEILA MECHLIN, SECRETARY HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTS CECILIA BEAUX, NEW YORK W. K. BIXBY, ST. LOUIS E. H. BLASHFIELD, NEW YORK ROBERT WOODS BLISS, WASHINGTON HOWELL C. BROWN, PASADENA TEMPLETON CROCKER, SAN FRANCISCO WILLIAM O. GOODMAN, CHICAGO MORRIS GRAY, BOSTON EDGAR L. HEWETT, SANTA FE FRANCIS C. JONES, NEW YORK JOHN F. LEWIS, PHILADELPHIA FRANK G. LOGAN, CHICAGO A. W. MELLON, WASHINGTON JOHN BARTON PAYNE, WASHINGTON GEORGE DUDLEY SEYMOUR, NEW HAVEN OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT BARR BUILDING, FARRAGUT SQUARE WASHINGTON, D. C. [[/preprinted]] March 14, 1931. Mr. Germain Seligmann, 3 East 51st Steet, New York, N. Y. My dear Mr. Seligmann: On May 1st, I left the security of a recognized professional position as Director of the Cleveland Museum of Art to accept the Presidency of the Federation, because I was convinced that the new office represented a very great opportunity for service to the art interests of the country. After these few months of study I am further convinced of the importance of the work the Federation has to do, but I want to test the rightness of my judgment by learning how you and other leading art lovers of the country feel about the future of the Federation under my leadership. I recently wrote one of our Honorary Vice-Presidents, who has been contributing ten dollars yearly as an active member, asking him to become a sustaining member (paying $100.00 or more yearly). I quote from his reply: "I was pleased to receive your letter of August 29th, regarding the broader plans you have for the Federation. I want to take occasion to thank you that you are adding your energy to its activities as it seems to me that the Federation has a place which when aggressively filled will increase its usefulness, which always has been good. Regarding your plan for increasing the revenue, I will be glad to be one of a number to change my membership into a sustaining one provided the movement in that direction amounts to anything.*** I will agree to pay $100.00 yearly when and if 100 such subscriptions are received by you." It seems to me that this is not only a challenge to me, but perhaps more particularly a challenge to the friends of the Federation and art lovers generally. I have already over thirty new Sustaining Members enrolled, and hope you will also join me in meeting this offer, by becoming a sustaining member yourself, as I have done, and possibly by persuading a few friends to do likewise, or by sending me names of friends who might be interested to whom I may write. Of course such annual contributions are subject to cancellation at the option of the donor, if later payments are not convenient; and they may be included in your 15% deductible in making up your government income tax report. I enclose a list of the new sustaining members already enrolled to meet Mr. Logan's offer. There are splendid days ahead of the Federation provided additional funds can be secured. If this first effort to increase our income in a substantial way is successful, I shall be greatly encouraged. I am sending you a copy of The American Magazine of Art, published by the Federation and included with each membership. Faithfully yours, [[signature]] F. A. Whiting [[/signature]] President. FAW/GD