December 25-31, 2003

mailbag

Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Triumph of the Will?

I found it interesting that in last week's City Paper [Dec. 18, 2003], page 11 had the story of Dr. Barnes and his foundation's inability to follow his (1951) willed wishes, yet page 16 told how Andrew Carnegie's insistence continues to dictate the Pennsylvania Society's annual meeting place 84 years after his death. It makes one wonder what is the best way of preserving intent after death.

Allen Hoover
Via E-mail

For aesthetic and moral reasons -- given the presence of very viable alternatives, there really isn't a valid reason for breaking Albert Barnes' will -- the Barnes should remain as and where it is. The Barnes may be cash-poor but it is art-rich. Now, it needs to leverage this art to rebuild endowment and operating revenue, and to say no to the three area philanthropies who would help raise $150 million only if its art is moved. There are many good ideas circulating for doing this, have been for some time. Unused property in Chester County can be sold and generate $12 million, according to one estimate provided in court hearings the week of Dec. 8. A tour of its Renoirs could perhaps generate twice this amount, given what was earned from a tour of its art in the 1990s ($17 million). In relation to art education in the short term this is not desirable, but it may be necessary to assure the long term. Pieces of lesser art owned by the Foundation but not exhibited could be sold and raise millions. Barnes' art could be displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art during the summer months and not interfere with the Foundation's educational program. Both organizations could share in the revenue generated by this arrangement. A lucrative arrangement could be negotiated with ARTstor, a nonprofit that sells institutions digital images of world-class art collections.

I recommend that the Barnes create a small restaurant on its property -- similar area institutions have done this -- and create an appealing stand-alone collection of items from its own store that would be displayed and sold at the Philadelphia Visitors Center, the Philadelphia Art Museum, the Atwater Kent Museum, Winterthur and other locations. These displays will spark visits to the Foundation -- and additional purchases of food and gifts. Licensing agreements would indicate how the Barnes and these institutions would share revenue. The Barnes, of course, must be tough in these and other negotiations.

Access to the Barnes is not difficult. The Foundation is only 20 minutes from downtown Philadelphia by car and is served by bus and train as well.

I suggest to Judge Stanley Ott of Montgomery County's Orphans' Court, who will soon rule on a petition by the Barnes board to set aside primary elements of Albert Barnes' indenture of trust or will, that he require the Barnes board to pursue this path to solvency. Should Judge Ott perceive the current board and management as not having the will to undertake such measures, I suggest he appoint a special master to oversee the Foundation's resurrection.

Gerald D. Klein
Elkins Park

Bad Altman

["Jew Gotta Be Kidding," Howard Altman, Pretzel Logic, Nov. 13, 2003] grossly misrepresented an event of historic importance for all people who believe in social justice, which took place right here.

The 12th World Tribunal on Reparations for African People in the U.S. brought together people from throughout this country to testify before a people's court whose legitimacy is based on international law of the United Nations. It was a court for the African community, which is consistently denied justice at the hands of the U.S. court system, to hear testimony, to gather more evidence to the growing body of documentation in support of the demand for reparations to the African community.

There was testimony from mothers and fathers whose sons were murdered by the police, such as Queen Carney, whose son, Edward "Boo" Pickens, was shot to death by the Operation Safe Streets undercover cops in August of this year, from Temple professor Ella Forbes, whose son, Erin, was murdered by the Lower Merion police, as well as mothers and fathers and friends from New York, California, Maryland and other states.

An elderly African man, Robert Davis, who, while in prison, was a victim of medical experiments lead by doctors from the University of Pennsylvania, told his story. Mothers and sisters told the stories of young African men unjustly imprisoned throughout this country. So many stories that are never told publicly from the experience and perspective of the African community itself were brought before a panel of judges from around the world.

Two days of moving testimony as well as information from journalists like Temple professor Linn Washington and historians such as Dr. Leonard Jeffries, N.Y.C. Councilman Charles Barron and African People's Socialist Party Chairman Omali Yeshitela proved that reparations is a just demand.

Contrary to your editorial, this event was free, open to everyone and attended by people of all nationalities who were interested in justice for African people. This people's court was sponsored by the International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement, an organization that is African working-class-led and open to anyone who supports justice for black people. A reparations commission was established to continue this work throughout the U.S., and another tribunal will be held next year.

Ruby Gittelsohn

Uhuru Furniture and Collectibles
Philadelphia