James E. Homans, editor

“ Kahn's projects for the advancement of art, and which has met with universal approval, is to establish in America a counterpart of the Luxembourg gallery of Paris, a place where the work of contemporary American artists can be exhibited free to the people, where the artist can go for recognition, and where the people will gain a better understanding of art. It is characteristic of Mr. Kahn that he is ever ready to aid genuine talent, especially in the young, and that he takes time to seek opportunities to do real service in the cause of art and culture in America. ”

“ Kahn. From his father, a prosperous banker of Mannheim, Otto inherited a love of art in its various developments which caused him to become internationally distinguished as an earnest advocate and liberal supporter, not only of what was excellent in music, painting, sculpture, and literature, but of all that promised to become so. He always has been broad, democratic, and catholic in his artistic judgment, a judgment that has seldom been questioned, and never successfully controverted. ”

“ Kahn drives a four-in-hand, and likes riding, automobiling, golfing, and sailing, and has a proper respect for the great American game of baseball. Also he understands cricket. He plays both violin and cello with the skill and taste of a virtuoso, and is an omnivorous reader. One of his inviolable rules is to read for one hour every night before retiring no matter how late it may be. ”

“ One must learn to obey before he is fit to command. It instilled a proper sense of one's place, and emphasized that the most humble duties must be performed conscientiously and without any loss of self-respect. I suppose I must have wiped the inkwells fairly satisfactorily, for it was not long before I was promoted and had another novice to clean my inkwell and fetch my lunch.” For three years Otto Kahn remained in the bank at Karlsruhe, advancing until he was thoroughly grounded in the intricacies of finance, and could properly be called a good banker at that time. ”

“ He grew up in an atmosphere of art, for his father's home in Mannheim was a rendezvous for a wide circle of artists, musicians, singers, sculptors, and writers. His own ambition was to be a musician, and he learned to play several instruments before he was graduated at the high school. ”

“ He is chairman of the Metropolitan Opera Company and he gives a great deal of valuable time to its affairs inspired only by his genuine love of music, coupled with the determination that what is offered by the organization shall be of the finest quality it is possible to acquire, no matter at what expense or labor. ”