The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-03
Director General Davis Hauled Over the Goals
by the National Commission for Permitting
Use of Tabooed Instrument
Fifteen Thousand Tickets Sold at the
Exposition Grounds Yesterday.
Over COG, 900 Persons Admitted on the Opening
Day-An Army of Workmen Putting the
Buildings and Exhibits in Order.
sOUABBLE OVER A PIANO.

Clash of Worlds Fair Authorities That
Doesn'r Worry Thomas and Pnderewski.
CHICAGO, May 2.-There appears to be
decided clash of authority between the
national commissioners at the worlds fair
vexing piano question is the bone of con-
tention and each of the above mentioned
official bodies claim to have the jurisdiction
in the matter and each officer appears to
be determined that they shall withdraw.
So tar the council of administration seems
to have the best of the wrangle. 1t Is In
favor of allowing Director of Music
Thomas and Herr Paderewski to use piano
made by nonexhibltor. To-day at . con-
cert given in the Music Hall at the fair
grounds. such q piano was used against
orders emanating from the commission and
with the consent of the council OF admins
tratIon.
The question came up at the regular
meeting of the national commission to-
day. Commissioner Burton announced
that Notwithstanding the commission had
ordered Director-general Davis to cause all
pianos made by nonexhIbitors to be re-
moved from all the public buildings, there
was still such an instrument IN the Music
Hall. He further understood that the OBJ
jectionaDle piano was to be used at con-
cert In q few hours. committee was at
once sent for DirectOr-general Davis 10
ascertain why he had NOT complied with
the order of the commission.
The eDIrector-generalappea before the
commission in q few minutes, and upon
beng formed why he had been sent for
replied that upon receipt OF the lnstruc'
tions he had ordered the director OF WORKS
to remove the Objectionable piano. de
had ken It TOR granted that the director
of works had Obeyed him. he had been so
busy that be had not had time 70 see the di-
rector OF works In person as to what had
been done. A commissioner called the at
tentlOn of the DlrectOr-general TO the TACT
the Music Hall. Colonel Davis replied that
if this was true he did not know It,
President Palmer. of the commission.
then read q communication from ferd w.
Peck, acting president OF the worlds Co.
lum bian Exposition, in which that gentle
man said. as u dIffeIen had arisen re-
garding the conduct of the matter of music.
he had called meeting of the joint board
of reference and control for ADril ~ In
response TO this call the board had adopted
q resolution 10 the effect that the matter OF
difference between the local directory and
the national commission be referred e. the
council of administration.
Meantime she council OF administration
com ted Its investigation and sent it's re-
port. 1t said. III effect. that the council
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. Ii nom
exhibit pianos were excluded 1t would
cause q failure of the musical programme
In large degree lt further declared the
carrying ont of such an order would not be
for the best interest either of the piano ex-
hibitors or the fair. In conclusion, IL said
the council of administration would formu-
late rules to govern the matter.
This report was not kindly received By q
large number of the commissioners. A
heated and. at times acrimonious discus.
sion, lasting for en- hour or more, followed.
AS a result Commissioner Burton. of Kan
sas, offered q resolution declaring that tho
council of administration bad no jurisdic-
tion in the piano question, as it bad never
been legally referred to that body. The
resolution was referred TO the judiciary
committee. and the commission adjourned.
While the commission and council of ad-
ministratlon were wrangling over the
problem. the first concert given at the fair
began and was concluded. Director of
Music Thomas and Paderewski were both
there and used the piano which was made
cOrtraband. The piano exhibitors were
greatly exasperated over the matter, and
while none OF them will withdraw, they
express themselves in anything but pleas
ant terms regarding the turn matters have
taken. They are awaiting the outcome of
to-morrow's meeting of the national CON-
mission with great anxiety.
President Potter Palmer, of the Worlds
Columbian Commission, gave q banquet at
the Auditorium Hotel tonight in honor of
the Duke of Veragua. All the dishes 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.
The usual number Of toasts were made. and
the discoverer of America and his descend
ant were specially honored. The Duke re-
sponde ed in aneatspeech which evoked much
applause and then the assembly drank to
"Spaln and America" the Worlds Fair"
and sundry other things. Among the
speakers were George X. Davis. Preside mt
Higinbotham. President Palmer and Gov
ernor Altgeld.
The Duke started out this morning to sec
Chicago, and the first thing he did was TO
call upon Mayor Harrison at the latters
office. The Duke and party then called on
Governor Altgeid at the Palmer Honse. and
after paying their respects TO the chief ex.
ecutive OF the State withdrew.