The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-05
Director Thomas, Not Content with Using O
Contraband Piano, is Now Charged with
BoyeOtting Certain Make of Harps
Protest Against the Sunday Opening
Scheme of the Local Directors.
Eighteen Thousand Paid Admissions Yester-
Checked-Tears Shed By Lady Managers.
WORLDS FAIR MUSIC ROW.
Theodore Thomas Now Accused of Boycott
ting Harps Made by an Exhibitor.

Theodore Thomas Now Accused of Boycott
ting Harps Made by an Exhibition.
CHICAGO, May 4-From present indica-
tions the music trouble at the worlds fair
Is about to become q scandal. Evidence
was produced at the meeting Of the COM
mission to-day which tends to show that
Musical Director Thomas not satified with
using q contraband piano. is bent upon
boycotting harps that are made by firms
making exhibits at the fair. The evidence
was of such forcible nature that the
commission adopted resolution directing
President Palmer TO appoint special COM
mittee of six members to investigate the
matter.
just before an adjournment was taken,
this afternoon, Commissioner Cannon. of
Utah. got the floor and announced that he
had some interesting evidence In connec-
tion with the piano imbrogiio which tended
TO show that there was bribery and currup-
tion In the music department. of the fair.
Il have here letter." he said, "a letter re-
ceived by local musical exhibitors. that
will explain in part what / mesn." With
this he read the following letter. dated May
1, from Miss A. Breitsohuck, harpist ID
the Thomas orchestra:
Dear Sirs-I am very sorry to let you know
that this morning, Theodore Thomas gave us
notice that he would not allow Us 10 play the
- & - harp in his orchestra. was de-
lighted with the harp which you so kindly sent
10 my disposition, but as you yourself know
that we cannot do otherwise. 1 myself will see
that the two harps will he packed carefully; thon
you will please send for them. II possible, /
will come to Your store in few days to thank
you personally.
Having finished this epistle. Mr.. Cannon
read another from Edward Sohnecker, an
other harpist OF the Thomas orchestra. TO
the same firm, as follows:
Dear sir-I take the liberty of inquirIng if you
are desirOus OF my taking any interest in the
harp LIZ SO. must insist that you giye me a
$1,000 q year aud 10 per cent on every harp
sold through my influence, whether the party is
buyer or a scholar. Furthermore, must have
and one for solo use. For all OF which promise
TO play the harp in or ont OF Chicago and inspect
and approve all harps leaving the factory. Ii
naturally will lose interest in the harp, mas
much as have a prospect OF representing
European firm during and after the world fair.
He concluded the testimony by reading
the following reply made by the firm TO
the foregoing letter:
Your worthy proposition has been received
hy us and we must decline the same. We desire
that you shall return onr harp. and shall send
u.
should the harp not be in your residence then
please have the goodness to let us know where it
Is that We can obtain ii.
The letters caused general sensation
among the commissioners After await
ing for n few moments Mr.. Lannon won't on
to say that be thought the matter should
be thoroughly investigated. and If the evil
deDce shown in thr letters proved to be
true the commission should remove Mr..
Thomas and secure a new musical director.
.fUxft inn fhAva nd 0fAd ltrnfr f<sH
the appointment of q special committee to
carry on the inquiry.
Professor Wilson, Director Thomas's
agent, was seen by a reporter In regard to
the matter. Mr.: Thomas will not talk
about the affair."" be said. lit is beneath
his dignity to notice such trivial things.
He is too great man to even listen 10 such
foolish charges. / will not allow any one
TO approach him on the subject" With this
the manager entered carriage with the
musical director and drove away.
The national commissioners are of q
different mind, and many of them do not
hesitate to say that if Musical Director
Thomas does not make n satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION he will be removed.
When the national commission met TO-
day the regular order of business was DIS
pensed with. and the matter of considering
the reports of the judiciary committee on
the piano difficulty was taken up. After
debate Mr. Burton moved the sdoption of
vailed by q vote OF "A yeas 10 - nays. By
this the commission decided that the
council of administration had no jurisdic-
tion in the piano trouble.
The Sunday opening question will prob
ably be taken mp tomorrow. The talk that
the local directors may attempt to open the
worlds fair next sunday and keep il open
on Sundays to the close of the great expo
sitIon has caused a good deal of comment
among the national commissioners. Even
those who would like to see the gates
thrown open to the public Sundays say
they will make vigorous protest against
opening the fair in open violation of the
rules. Commissioner ClendenninR. of Ar
kansas said he would object TO
this sort of procedure. even to
calling upon the courts to prevent IL.
Others of the national commission talk
the same way. If the report that the local
directors intend to open the fair Sunday.
regardless of the rules of che national
comm ission. is true. there will. in all prob
ability, be another clash of authority tn ut
will surpass in vehemence the piano
trouble. Commissioners gathered about
the corridors of the Administration Build.
ing to-day ana discussed both questions
with great earnestness. Both President
Higinbothsm aud Director-geDeraI Davis
were noncommittal when questioned to-
day. The fact remains that the employ es
at the gates have received no orders to close
on Sundav