The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-28

Trouble Between Orchestras Brings Out
Charges from Manager Morris Reno.

The board of directors of the May Music
al Festival Association are somewhat dis
turbed since receiving letter last Satur-
day from Mr.. Morris Reno manager of
Walter Damrosch and the New York SYM
phony Orchestra. The writer states that
he ANTICIPATED much pleasure in coming to
Indianapolis. and that, since they are not
to come, he will be pleased to negotiate for
next season. except through the secretary
of the board, Mr.. J. H. Stem. Mr.. Reno
further says that in order to appear here
last season, he was obliged to make con-
cessions to Mr.. Stem which were very dis
tasteful. and be does not propose to so
humiliate himself and people again. In
another letter Mr.. Reno explains himself.
submitting the following correspondence:
NEW YORK, March 26, 1893.
inclose exact copies of letters referred to In
last May. In explanation of his letter of May
II, in which he refers to O private agreement"
] will say that STEMS agent called on me. and
agreed with him that Stem should have $500 as
his commission for securing US the engagement.
Through this agent he had demanded 5000. but
never promised TINS s amount nd ana saw no CORE
There are a number OF other letters from Stem
on this subject in my possession. which were adj
dressed principally 10 our business manager,
Mr. John ]. Nolan. Yours truly,
INDIANAPOLIS, May IL, 1892.
Mr.. Morris Reno
Dear Sir-will you be in Indianapolis the week
of our festivals If not presume you will give
instructions to your manager about our private
agreement of the amount deducted for me from
contract. Respectfully, j. III. STEM.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 26, 1892.
Mt. Morris Reno:
Dear sir-Our festival was a great success;
every thing moved off well. Mr.. Damrosch cap
tured our people, and they, with one accord.
shout his praise. The amount received from
Mr.. Nolan is 5000 short of our agreement, which
trust you will forward to me on receipt of this
letter. 1 wish next year to engage your Orches-
ira and Mr.: Damrosch as director Of the entire
festival, and will communicate with you in ref
erence to the matter soon.
Books have been forwarded to you. Respect
fully, ]. II. STEM.
Mr.. Stem evinced 20 particular surprise
and accounts for it on the grounds of spite
work. he says that Mr.. Damrosch is jeal-
ous of the Seidl Orchestra, and now vents
his spleen because the board contracted
with the latter organization at q saving of
S1.100. Nix. Stem also asserts that Reno's
agent, j. j. Nolan, came TO him while he
was in New York last week and offered to
pay per cent. of the con tract price In case
the board employed the Damrosch orches-
ira. Mr.. Stem states that he refused to en-
terrain the proposition, and as soon it
became known that the rival orchestra had
been secured the agen Is of the other organ
ization began to threaten.
In regard to the correspondence, Mr..
Stem said: CAS- to the last years letters.
they refer to sums which Mr. Reno volun-
teered to pay me after all the propositions
bad been received and it was known who
would receive the contract. lt is general
~ understood. / think. that [ was largely
instrumental in organizing the Festiv 81 AS
ISOLATION. / have sacrificed time and
money every year. This year the assoca-
ton agreed TO pay my expenses to New
York. No commissions have been asked or
protfered except from Mr.. Reno. Hereto
fore have paid my own expenses. includ-
ing railroad fare and the cost of innumer.
able kilograms. II received money after
contracts had been signed to cDnpensate
me for this outlay. considered it was no.
body's affair. 1t would have been rascally
to receive money in advance to influence
the selection of musicians. Mr.. Reno's pur-
pose and hope ID that he may interfere
with the success of the festival simply be-
cause he cannot control It."