Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-12
ITBAP0PULAR PLAN.
The Exposition Society Directors viii
Boom the Concert Idea.
As TO ESTIMATES ON TIE HALL
Definite Action to be Taken Next Tuesday
and Nr. Johnston to 60 East.
TIE BEST MUSIC IN AMERICA In IT

'sHow does the popular concert idea sug-
gested by THE DISPATCH come on, so far
as the Exposition directors are concerned?'
inquired a representative of this paper of
Manager Johnston, of the society, yesterday
| afternoon.
I'VE are all holdovers," replied the
urbane hustler who has been booming the
Exposition Society, "and until the newly
elected board meets on Tuesday and selects
officers for next year, none of us are qualified
to speak by the card. But everything is
plain sailing, I fancy, and everybody
anticipatesjust what the result ofthe election
will be. In answer to your question can
simply say that the newly-elected board is
in dead earnest about the popular concerts
idea. They will be arranged for in most
thorough and comprehensive manner 30 far
as our means will allow, and the scheme
viii not be touched at all unless handled
properly"
"what action will be taken atthe meeting
of Tuesday, Mr.. Johnston"
tI took Messrs. Murphy & Hamilton, the
contractors, down to the main hall this af-
ternoon, and went through it in the most
thorough manner. The erection of parti-
ton to divide the hall and bring it down to
the dimensions Of music hall which would
not absorb the music out of sight; the seat
ing of portion Of the floor room, the erec-
ton Of stage and a sounding-board, and,
in fact, every detail of the transformation of
the big building into concert hall shape,
were most thoroughly talked over and dis
cussed by us.
''Messrs. Murphy & Hamilton will make
their estimate on the work which will be
submitted to the board on Tuesday, and if
reasonable adopted. There Fill be an in
teTchange of views upon the subject, and
am expecting to leave Tuesday night for
New York to close negotiations pending for
several weeks with q magnificent musical
organization which may furnish the nucleus
of the concerts.
A FIRST-CLASS ORCHESTRA.
1--WE shall positively insist on obtaining
for the Pittsburg season complete orches-
ira Whether it is Damrosch, the Boston
Symphony, the Seidl or the Thomas orches-
trs, the public may be assured of the genuine
thing. The contract will be SO drawn that
the failure to bring out to Pittsburg any
regular member Of the orchestra, or any at
tempt to palm of substitute musicians, will
invalidate the terms. We are not going to
be ptivy to any of the prevalent or usual
musical impositions. Everything will be Of
the very best, As to vocalists that will be
matter for subsequent arrangement. As to
soloists, instrumental or orchestral they can
be easily secured afterward."
''What period will be covered BY the con-
certs according to present plans?"
Probably the entire month of June. In
this climate June is a delightful month.
neither too hot nor too cool. It has the addi-
tional advantage of being a summer
month in which there are very
few departures Of families for
their annual outings. The general exodus
seldom commences until July. With a
handsome hall, portion of which would
be accessible tor prnmenaders, with the
grounds inside of the main hall Chinese
lanterned and prepared for night-sir music,
with perhaps brass band stationed outside
in such manner that the music would not
conflict it occurs to me that large enough
crowds could be attracted to our June
festival to make the financial receipts
thoroughly satisfactory.
"This, Of course, like last years Expo-
sition, will be an experiment, but / feel
assured that the public will flock to our
support generously. So long continued a
season of music, and the best Of music at
that will be of high value as an educator,
and if the public feels entirely satisfied
that the society has provided the
best in the country-the best that
money can secure-they will feel
justified in patronizing such an enter
prise. 1t is matter of slow
growth and Pittsburg has reputation for
taking up things cautiously, but am con-
vinced from last years experience that if
We give an honestly good article in the line
of entertainment the public will quickly
enough come to our support, and hold up
the hands of the society.
FAITH IN CONCERTS.
Like the Exposition scheme, there are
serious risks to be incurred, but they went
ahead on that scheme with faith in the out
come, and so, I hope, it will prove to be
with the present and future plans of the So
eiety. The popular concert idea is Justly
named. It is popular desire, and the So
ciety feels that in adopting it they are in
sympathy with progressive public, and
are inviting sure support for the plans"
Concerning the general plans of the society
Manager Johnston stated that Just as soon as
the meeting for the election of officers has
been held active preparations will be made
for the Exposition of 1890. Assignments of
space etc., will be made, engagements or
new buildings carefully considered, and the
ball set rolling for en- Exposition which will
discount that of 1889.
Two committeeman from Cleveland have
been In the city for three days past leaving
Friday night for their home. They took
with them mass OF figures and statistics in
regard to the recent reports of the local
Exposition officials, and also made critical
and exhaustive examination of the buildings
on Duquesne way.
A report was made by the committee to
the Cleveland Exposition General Commit
tee which met yesterday afternoon at 8
o'clock at the Stillman House on Euclid
avenue. The Cleveland people want an ex-
position, and are not too proud to pattern
after Pittsburg. A duplicate of machinery
hall may be purchased here to be used for q |
like purpose in the Cleveland Exposition
scheme.
TO CLEAN Up THE STREETS.
An Exposition Director said that he sin
eerely hoped that an official so attentive to |
the manifest needs of the public as Chief |
Bigelow, of the Department of Public |
Works, would take little stroll down to |
Duquesne way, almost any day in the near |
future, and take look at the condition of |
the approaches to the Exposition building
If it is intended to allow the public to reach !
the building at all, something must be
speedily done. The director said also that |
1t would stand to reason that by getting at |
the streets in time TO have them completed, |
the interests Of the Exposition would be best |
subserved, and that the interests of the Ex-
position were identical with the people.