The New York Times, January 30, 1910
EZEKIEL REFUSES TO MOVE
----------------Will Not Vacate His Studio In the Baths of Diocletian.
Special Cable to the New York Times.
ROME. Jan. 29 - Moses Ezekiel, the well-known sculptor from Virginia, was notified recently to evacuate within ten days his magnificent studio in the Baths of Diocletian, which he has occupied for more than thirty years. So well known is his studio that strangers of all nationalities do not consider that they have known the Eternal City until they have seen it.
The lower section, or the studio proper, is an immense room with a half cupola fifty feet above and lighted from one side. Half way up a platform has been built on which the sculptor works at his pieces. The upper section is full of pictures and statues, the work of distinguished friends all over the world, and of bronzes picked up when such things could be obtained in Rome. For instance, he has one fished out of the Tiber, which evidently dates from before Christ. Here on Fridays he gives magnificent musicales to half of Rome, and so popular are they that no hostess dares to have Friday as a reception day.
The baths are being evacuated for the purpose of isolating them and using them for a monster museum in 1911. Hence the ten days notice.
Mr. Ezekiel, however, is sitting tight just to see what will happen. The ten days are already over and a profound silence reigns among the powers that be. The sculptor declares - and he usually means what he says - that he will not budge an inch, and if they do so much as lay a finger on his new work "Maccabeus" or anything else he will shoot them where they stand. His friends are on tiptoe with excitement, and some people take him so seriously that they have implored him to be prudent.
