The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-10

CHICAGO. May 2.-There appears to be a
decided clash of authority between the
national commissioners at the worlds
fair and the council of administration.
The vexing piano question is the bone of
contention and each OF the above men,
toned official DO dies claims to have the
Jurisdiction IN the matter and each officer
appears TO be determined that they shall
withdraw. So far the council of admins
tration seems to have tho best of the
wranRle. IL is in favor of allowing Direc-
tor of Music Thomas and Herr Paderewski
TO use piano made by a non-exhibitor.
Today at a concert given in the music
hall at the fair grounds such piano WIS
used against orders enanating from the
commission and with the ca1sent of the
council of administration.
The question came up at the regular
meeting of the national commission to-
day. Commissioners Burton announced
that notwithstanding the commission had
ordered Director-General Davis to cause
all pianos made by non-exhibitors to be
removed from ali the public buildings
there was still such en- instrument in the
hall. He further understood that the OBJ
Jectional piano was to be used az IA concert
In few hours A committee was at
once sent for Dlrector-General Davis 10
ascertain why he had not complied with
the order OF the commission.
Mr.. Davis Statement
The director-general appeared before
the commission in few minutes, and
haf f,efo 81
for, replied that upon. receipt of the in
structions he had ordered the director of
works to remove the Objectionable piano
He had taken it for granted that the di-
rector OF the works had obeyed him He
had been 30 busy that he had not had
time to see the director OF works in person
as 10 what had been done. commits
sioner called the attention OF the director
general TO the fact that the Objectionable
piano was still IN the music hall. Col.
Davis replied that If this Was true he did
not know it. President Palmer OF the
commission then read a communication
from terd W. Peck, acting president of
the worlds Columbian exposition In
which that gent emsn said as a difference
had arisen regarding the conduct of the
ing OF the joint board OF reference
and control for April % In re-
spouse TO this call the board had
adopted a resolution 10 the effect that the
matter OF difference between the local di-
rectory and ths national commission be
referred to the council of administration.
Council OF Administrators Report.
Meantime the council of administration
completed its investigation and sent its
report. 1t is said. in effect, that the coun-
Gil had thoroughly investigated the piano
question, and it had concluded the special
committee report adopted by the national
commissioners last Friday, by which non
exhibitors pianos were excluded, should
not be the law in the situation. III nom
exhibitors pianos were excluded it would
cause a failure of the musical program in
large degree. 1t further declared the
carving out of such an order would not
be for the best interest either of the piano
exhibitors or the fair In conclusion it
said the council of administration would
formulate rules to govern the matter
This report was not kindly received bv
large number of the commissioners 4
heated and at times acrimonious Discus
sion lasting for an hour or more followed
AZ result Commissioner Burton of Kan
sas offered a resolution declaring that the
counsel OF administration had no urisdic-
ton in the piano question, as it had never
been legally referred to that body The
resolution was referred to the judiciary
committee, and the commission adj
jourred.
Awaiting TOdRy's Meeting.
While the commission and council of
administration were wrangling over the
problem, the fret concert ever gwen at
the fair began and was concluded. Di-
rectors of music Thomas and Paderewsky
were both there and used the piano. which
was made contraband. The piano exhib-
itors were greatly eZasperated over the
matter, and while none of them will with
draw, they express themselves in any,
thing but pleasant terms regarding the
turn matters have taken. They are await
ing the outcome of tomorToW's mseting of
the national committee with great anxiety.
Banquet tn the Duke Of veragua.
President Thomas w. Palmer of The
worlds Columbian commission gave a
banquet at the auditorium hotel tonight
In honor of tie duke Of Versgua. The
diners met in the banquet room on the
parlor floor of the auditorium. The long
apartment was decorated in scarlet and
yellow-the colors Of Spain-fags and BAN
ners of that hue were arranged along the
walls and over the doors. On the tables
were magnificent nosegays OF flowers
scarlet and yellow-and each guest showed
respect to SPANS representative by wear
ing q boutonnaire OF the same colors
The whole affair was Castillian as far as
possible.
All the dishes in the long dinner were
such as the duke Is accustomed to having
in his native country, and the menu card
was printed In Spanish from end to end.