Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-12

CHICAGO, May l1.-After two weeks
OF hard work the committee investiga-
ting the Misunderstanding In the ou-
reau OF music late this evening made q
report to the National Commission. The
report, In effect stated that Mr..
Thomas's usefulness as musical director
of the Fair had ended and that harmony
in that department required that his
services be dispensed with. The report
OF the committee reviewed the whole
situation from the inception OF the dis
agreement that has been disturbing the
waters OF the musical circle.
Hon. 7. A. Goshorn. formerly Director
General OF the Philadelphia Centennial,
addressed the National Commission on
the subject OF awards, at the special In
vitation OF the commission. Mr.. Cos
horn outlined the system IS followed
by the Centennial management in 1876.
1t had been demonstrated, he said, that
the single Judge or examiner system OF
the Centennial was the most success
full that could have been brought for
ward. lie urged the management TO
appoint the judges as early as possible
In order that the work pf examining
and awarding medals could begin at as
early date as possible. The judges,
he said, ought to be the most scientific
and expert men TO be had In the various
departments.
Then at the suggestion OF President
Palmer, Mr.. Goshorn answered the varl-
Gus questions put TO him by the Com
missioners. One OF these brought out
a remark which was a body blow to the
National Commission and the local d.
rectory. Commissioner White. OF New
Mexico, asked the question as To who mad
charge OF the police or guards at the
centennial. Mr.. Goshorn replied that
the director general had, and he was
chief OF police. so TO speak, but there
WAS the most perfect harmony between
the national and local MANAGEMENT.
Whenever the latter required assistance
In the police line IL was readily granted.
The word "harmony" was rather sug-
gestive, and II will be readily under
stood that the deliverance created con-
siderable comment, when IL Is said that
there is not the best Of feeling between-
the two bodies here.
John Boyd Thatcher, OF New York,
then read long paper on tho operation
OF the award system as recently adopt
by the Commission, which provides for
the appointment OF single judges, who
will pass upon the exhibits and who
will then report TO the juries In each
department, where the report VIII be
passed upon.
In connection with this report the
foreign exhibitors got together to-day
aud addressed a letter TO Walker Fearn,
the chief OF the foreign department., Ia
which they protest against the indiyid-
ual or single Judge system. They out
line plan which they claim is superior.
They propose jury system for each ex-
hibit, the decision OF tho jury being sub
ject to revision by jury In each
department, and II necessary by q single
superior jury on which the foreign COM
missions are to be duly represented. In
making the suggestions, the foreign
commission reserve the right OF declln-
ing to take any part In the work OF
awards, and, IL necessary. OF placing
the exhibits OF their respective conn
| tries hOrs c01lcOurs and Withdrawing
them from consideration Of the judges.
This award matter promises 10 evolve q
disagreement Of consideraOss propor-
tions.
The report OF the music investigating
com mlttce is most severe arraignment
OF Mr.. Thomas and his methods OF con-
ductlng the bureau OF music. IL gives
fearful raspiog 20 Chief Harpist
| Schneider, who proposed 10 q local
firm OF musical instrument makers
that he would play their hsrps for bo-
nus OF 81, 900 year. Schneider in bis
testimony, it appears, admitted having
made the proposition and stated that N
his demands had been complied with he
would have continued 10 use the barps
| in question and would not have changed
10 another maker. Before the commit
tee Mr.. Thomas denied being IN any
way connected with any house engaged
In selling or manufacturing musical In
struments. He afro denied any knowl-
edge Of Schnecker's proposition but sd-
mltted that artists accepted bonuses
or pay for exploiting instruments,
| but this was none OF his bus
mess. Mr.. Thomas declared that the
| authority OF the Director General over
him was only nominal. IL was shown
that Director General Davis bad noti-
fed Thomas not 10 make engagements
with persons who were under obligation
10 use instruments made by non-exhibi-
tors. Notwithstanding this, Mr. Thomas
has placed in music hall, and had play
ed at the concerts, the pianos OF nom
| exhibiting firm and the programme OK
future concerts Is 80 arranged that 10
practically excludes pianos OF ali ef-
hIbitors. Nor was this favoritism con-
fined 10 the use Of pianos. IL has been
carried 10 the use OF organs and hsrps.
! The report closes with this:
"Your committee reiterate the former
| expression OF this commission that no
piano not exhibited for award should DO
used in music or choral halhduring the
Fair. That the usefulness OF Prof.
| Thomas at the head Of the Bureau OF
Music Of the Worlds Exposition Is 20
impaired that In our judgment bis SER
vices should be further dispensed with,
| and that we recommend that the DE-
l la,nrsI - fnsfructed N reQueet