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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, February 15, 1968
Lax museum watch allows thefts?
By Pat Crawford Kansan Staff Reporter
One of the reasons behind the recent thefts at the KU Art Museum, including the theft last week of a valuable 18th century English ring, is improper surveillance, according to Bret Waller, museum director.
Waller said the building was never intended to be a museum. Until 1928, when it became the art museum, it was the University library. It has too many "nooks, crannies and corners" for proper surveillance, he said.
"Until we have the physical plant designed for this purpose," Waller said, "we'll always have problems." As a security measure, the museum has added more student guards.
The ring, a gold band with a set
containing a painted miniature eye, was stolen last Thursday. Waller said it was insured, but he would not state the amount.
It was the second museum theft of the school year. A bust of Renoir, by Maillol, a 20th century French sculptor, was stolen in December.
The sculpture was welded to a strap which was in turn bolted to a granite pedestal. During the night thieves broke the welding to free the $4,500 sculpture. A $100 reward for information or the return of the sculpture is still in effect.
No reward is being offered for the ring. "The reward hasn't helped get our sculpture back," Waller said, "so there is no reason to offer one for the ring."
Two other instances of vandalism occurred this year. In November a bronze fountain in the courtyard was knocked over causing about $300 damage to a sculpture entitled "Fountain Group." The sculpture was by Pierre Le Gros the elder, an 18th century French sculptor.
A $25,000 gift has been made to KU's Program for Progress by the Vendo Foundation of Kansas City, Mo., it was announced Wednesday.
Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe said announcement of the gift came from Elmer F. Pierson, chairman of the board of the Vendo Co.
Progress Program gets $25,000
Although not KU alumni, both Pierson and his brother, John T.
Pierson, vice-chairman of the Vendo board, are members of the Council for Progress, sponsoring group for the Program for Progress.
The statue "Resurrection" was pried from its pedestal in the courtyard in December and
The Program for Progress is a three-year funds campaign launched in September, 1966, through which KU is seeking gifts totalling $18,617,000. The funds will be used for various University programs and projects.
placed on the altar in Danforth Chapel. The altar cross was put on the pedestal in place of the statue.
After these incidents, museum personnel put all the courtyard art objects in storage inside the museum. They will not be on display until proper security measures can be found, Waller said.
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