Merkelbach discusses the policy of the B&W of Amsterdam regarding K. Appel's mural in the coffee room of the City Hall. "A government that wishes to commission art should seek the advice of experts in this field, who have such a broad view of the art of our time, that no matter what their personal tastes may be, they may be considered capable of spotting important artistic expressions and discovering talented artists and recommending them for commissions. "There is a committee for the assessment of murals of the City of Amsterdam. Ben Merkelbach is a member of this committee. This committee unanimously gave a favorable opinion of Karel Appel's mural in the Town Hall. B&W nevertheless decided to remove it. Merkelbach's piece addresses the policy issue: Karel Appel, at his own risk, instead of making a sketch, immediately created the final mural. Upon completion, the committee (which also commissioned the work) recommended that the painting be accepted, "as it was of the opinion that it fully lived up to the expectations set." The College of B&W, however, rejected it, finding it not beautiful. "If one suddenly starts ignoring this (expert) information when it goes against one's own inexpert and uneducated understanding, one wonders where art in Amsterdam is headed!"