The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-05-06
The Worlds Fair Piano Mud
die Promises to Become a
Vulgar Scandal.
Mrs. Palmer Scolds the Women. who Melt
Into Tears and Resolve to Behave
Themselves.


cations the music trouble at the Worlds
| Fair is about to become II scandal. Evi-
dence was produced at today's meeting
of the national commission which tends
to show that Musical Director Thomas.
| not satisfied with using ii contraband
piano. is bent upon boycottin" pianos
in his department that are made by
firms having exhibits at the fair. The
evidence was OF such fnrcible nature
that the commission adopted a resou
tion directing President Palmer to ap
point II special committee oi six to inves-
tiga;e the matter,
Commission LanLnn. Of Utah. brought
the matter up this afternoon. stating
that he had seen some interesting evi-
dcnce which tended TO show that there
was bribery and corruption in the music
department of the fair. He then pro-
duced Il letter written to Messrs. Lyon
4 Healy. Of this city. musical exhibitors.
by one of the members OF the Thomas
orchestra stating that she was very sorry
she could not use the Lyon " Healy
harp which had been rendered her. be
cause Director Thomas had notified the
harpist that the Lyon x Healy harp
could not be used in his orchestra Mis-"
Breitschuck expressed great personal
sorrow. but stated that there was no
going behind the orders. Them Com
mission Lannon produced another let
ter to the same firm from another har-
pst. Edward Schuecker. This young
man stated fatty that if the firm expect
ed him to have any interest in their
harp they must guarantee him IA fee of
81 eco year and 10 per cent on every
harp sold through his influence. Fur
thermore. he must have two new harps
at his disposal. The firm promptly re-
piled. declining to have anything to do
with Schuecker and directing him to
return at once the instrument they had
rendered him for use in the concert
The reading of these letters caused a
great sensation among the commission
ers. Lannon said the matter should be
thoroughly investigated. and If the evil
denee in the letters proved true and the
commissioners should remove Mr.. Thorn
as.
This evening Prof. Wilson Director
Thomas agent, was seen by an Assoc
lated press representative regarding the
matter.
MIR. Thomas will not talk about the
affair said he. 1T is beneath his dig
nifty to notice such trivial things. He is
too great IA man To even listen to such
foolish charges. | will not allow any
one TO approach him on the subject"
With this the manager and director en-
tered a carriage and We're driven away.
The commission considered the piano
question at length again and finally
adopted the minority report of the judi
clcry committe. offered by Burton of
Kansas. declaring that the council of
administration had nojurisdiction in the
piano trouble.
The council of administration has de-
termined to put stop to extortionate
prices charged by some of the restau-
ants at the fair. Vigorous action will be
taken tomorrow.
The duke and duchess of Veragua and
members of their suite were honored
guests at d coaching party this after
noon, which concluded by a luncheon
at the Washington Park club.
Tonight President Higginbotham. of
the local Worlds Fair directory. tender
| ed the duke and duchess an elaborate
reception. 2ooo guests being present.
Mrs. Potter Palmer. president of the
board of lady managers of the Worlds
Fair, announced at the opening of IA
meeting of the board this morning that
she would be compelled To resign if the
ladies did not quit quarreling and be
have in more dignitied manner The
meeting Was YER. interesting and many
members Mere in tears before il was
over.
Some of the ladies even cried aloud
and speeches in support Of the presi
dent We're made in broken voices. accom-
panied by expressions Of heartfelt sym.
pathy for Mrs. Palmer. Finall, a reao-
luton supporting the president. and
thanking her for the noble work she had
done, Was unanimously passed \ reso.
luton empowering the president 10 ap
point d committee to formulate d plan
taf great organization of ladies, Of
which the present board Of lad, mana
gers IS to be the foundation, was adopt.
led, the ladies stating i.thatiw hen their