The morning call., 1893-10-19
COGGIN A WINNER
Dissensions With Spadina
at an End.
LOOKING FOR A NEW LEADER.
The Reorganization of the Park Band
With the Conductors Friends
Left Out.

i lie TeOTgaOlZatlOn OF the faTk pauu
has been practically completed, and
contracts have been signed with the
members to be retained for two years
service from November 1. Id the differ
ences which have existed between Director
A. Spadina and Business Manager /. G..
Coggin, the latter has been completely vic
torious. Coggn was the founder and
organizer Of the Park band. and for years
MS authority was supreme. When Joseph
ID. Redding was made trustee for the joint
interests OF the street railroad companies
and the Park Commissioners he selected
Spadina as conductor. and the latter. 1t IS
charged. attempted to usurp the authority
OF the manager. 1t was said that he de-
sired to exercise the functions OF both
offices. The relations between the two
became decidedly strained, and Spadina
for the time was in the ascendant.
With the reorganization of the band
Coggin gets his innings. and the relative
positions of the two are now reversed.
Coggin has been the special protege of
Joseph L. Willcutt. secretary and general
manager of the Market-street cable sys-
tenn, and now secretary of the consoi-
dated roads. Willcutt's power is .su-
preme, not even excepting the authority
of Joseph d. Redding. The railroad sec
retary made IL peremptory condition
upon the renewal of the contract for the
railroads assessment, that as Coggin had
done so much for the band, and was emf
nently qualified to manage il, his author
ity should be untrammeled. This was
shown in the changes which have taken
place during the last few days-tbe per-
sonnel of the band. Four players have
been dropped-S. Davis, the drummer;
Henry Kaufman, the clarionst player;
Fred Mundwyler, bass. and Richard Emer-
son, alto. Davis was specially friendly to
Spadina, and two weeks ago attempted to
get the other bandsmen to sign state
ment that the leader was emiDently quail
fed, and requesting his retention. Only
fifteen out of forty members signed the
statement. In his efforts to save his
chief Davis was himself decapitated.
Several players not on Spadina's list
have been reinstalled Among these are
Charles Schubert. the bass clarionet
player. and Alfred Roncoviere, from bone
soloist.
AS each re-engaged musician signed his
contract in Redding's Office, the trustee
requested the bondsman's opinion of Spa
dina's ability as director. Many scored
Spadna and others declined to answer on
the ground that their criticism might be
considered spiteful. As result Of all
these opinions. Redding offered the lead
PISUlD 10 musiCldu OutSluc VI
the band. simultaneously the railroad
people approached another well-known
orchestra leader. Both musicians de-
clined to accel t the position. giving as a
reason the rule requiring programmes for
concerts to be submitted to Mr.. Redding
for his approval. They desired sole
authority regarding the selections aud
would take the position under no other
arrangement.
In addition to those reinstated George
Blake has been engaged as drummer, F.
Spiller as bass; G. Abbiati is transferred to
Kanffman's place as clarionetplayer, c.
Schubert replacing Abbiati.
A point gained by Coggn for the bands
men, and which the latter hail with Joy, is
the suspension OF the rule requiring each
musician to pay 70 cents a month for the
rent of the room occupied as q business
office and band headquarters. Hitherto
$50 of the rent has thus been paid by the
bandsmen and the balance OF $40 by the
railroad companies. Hereafter the con-
soidated roads will defray the entire ex-
pense. Each player will receive the same
remuneration as formerly plus Is cents a
month.
The Thursday concerts, which 1t is con-
tended have always proved improbable to
the cable lines, will be discontinued, at