Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-05
The Fair Piano Muddle Threatens to
Become a Scandal.
WILL INVESTIGATE MR.. THOMAS
He is Said to Have Not Only
Used a Contraband Piano, But
to Have Boycotted Other
Makes-The Sunday Opening
Question Undur Discussion
Mrs. Palmer's Threat to Re.
sign.
,.oeiat,d er.,, Korla,, Ralr sp.ciaL

Assoeidtsd frys Worlds Fatr Special
CHICAGO, May From the present
indications the music trouble az the
Worlds Fair is about to become scan
dal. Evidence wasAroduced at the
meeting of the com missAo to-day which
| tends to show that Musical Director
Thomas. not satisfied with uNQg con-
traband piano, is bent upon boScotting
harps in his department that arc<uade
by firms making exhibits at the Fain
The evidence was Of such forciolA
nature that the Commission adopted
resolution directing President Palmer
TO appoint n special committee 10 inves-
tigate the matter.
just before an adjournment was taken
this afternoon Commissioner Lannon,
OF Utah, got the floor aud announced
that he had some interesting evidence
in connection with the piano enbroglio
which tended 10 show that there was
bribery and corruption In the music de-
partment OF the Fair.
He then read two letters In support
OF the charge.
Prof. Wilson, Director Thomas's
agent, was seen by reporter for the
Associated Press in regard TO the mat
ter.
"Mr. Thomas will not talk about the
affair" he said. 1T Is beneath his
dignity to notice such trivial things
He Is too great man 10 even listen 10
foolish charges. will not allow any
one to approach him on the 81 bject."
The National Commissioners are OF q
different mind, and many OF them do
not hesitate TO say that II Musical Di-
rector Thomas does not make salts
factory explanation he will be removed.
When the National Commission met
to-day the regular order OF business was
dispensed with and tho matter OF con-
siderlng the report OF the Judiciary Com
mittee on the piano difficulty was taken
up. Commissioner Massey, OF Della
ware, chairman OF the commltte, spoke
against the adoption OF Commissioner
Burton's resolution. which said that the
Council OF Administration did not have
Jurisdiction ever the piano question.
When Commissioner Massey had hn-
ished his argument. Mr.. Burton>spoks>
I'm favor Of the minority report he
continued his argument at great length
and when he finished, Commissioners
ST. Clair, Huntley, Allen and others
spoke so that the discussion was pro.
tracted until late In the afternoon.
When all had finished, Mr.. Burton
moved the adoption OF tho minority re-
port and the motion prevailed by vote
Of A yeas TO 10 nays.
BY this the commission decided THAI
the council OF administration had no
Jurisdiction in the piano trouble.
The Sunday opening question will
probably be taken up tomorrow. The
talk that the local directors may at
tempt TO open the Fair next Sunday and
keep IL open on Sundays TO the close or
the great exposition has caused q good
deal OF comment among the National
Commissioners. Even those who would
like TO see the gates thrown open 70
the public Sunday say they will make
vigorous protest against opening tho
Fair in open violation OF the rules.
The Council OF Administration has
a determination 10 put stop TO the ex-
tionate prices charged by some OF tho
restaurants at the Fair. The public
has been making such loud complaints
in the matter that President Hiegen-
botham and Director Schwsb, OF the
Council, made q tour OF the eating
houses to-day 70 ascertain for
themselves the eIt-at OF the evil.
They will report In the mofninr.
and according to the statement
of a member Of the council. the ,testau-
rant keepers will be compelled either To-
reduce their rates or close up their es-
tabllshments, II is probable that the
Fair grounds will be open at nlght for
the arst time next Saturday. and ~ the
time the electric fountains VIII make
their initial public display. 10 the Ad-
miulstratlon building on that occasion
the Worlds Fair officials will give re-
cep,ion to the visiting military ana
naval officers and to the Duke and