The record-union., 1893-05-05
ayers.
Special to the REcoRD-UN1ox.

CHICAGO, May 4.-The cloudy, cold
weather caused very light attendance at
the Worlds Fair to-day, only about 1000
entered the grounds during the forenoon.
From present indications the music
trouble at the fair is about to become a
scandal. Evidence was produced at to-
days meeting of the National Commits
sion which tends to show that Musical
Director Thomas, not satisfied with
using contraband piano, is bent upon
boycotting harps in his department that
are made by firms having exhibits at the
tair. The evidence was of such a forcible
nature that the commission adopted a
resolution directing President Palmer to
appoint special committee of six to in
vestigate the matter.
Commissioner Lehman of Utah brought
the matter up this afternoon, stating that
he had some interesting evidence which
tended to show that there was bribery
and corruption in the music department.
OF the fair. He then produced a letter
! written to Messrs. Lyon & Healy of this
| city, musical exhibitors, by Miss Brett
schuck, one of the members of the
Thomas Orchestra, stating that she was
very sorry she could not use the Lyon d
Healy harp which had been rendered her,
because Director Thomas had notified the
harpists that the Lyon & Healy harp
could not be used in his orchestra. Miss
Breitschuck expressed great personal
sorrow, but stated that there was no 60
| ing behind orders.
Then Commissioner Lehman produced
another letter to the same firm from an
other harpist, Edward Schuecker. This
young man stated fatty that if the firm ex-
pected him to take any interest in their
harps they must guarantee him fee of
$1,000 year and 10 per cent. on every
harp sold through his influence. Fur
thermore, he must have two new harps
placed at his disposal. The firm promptly
replied declining to have anything to do
with Schuecker, and directing him to re-
turn at once the instrument they had
rendered him for use in the concert.
The reading of these letters caused a
great sensation among the Commissioners.
Lehman said the matter should be thor
oughly investigated, and if the evidence
in the letters proved true the commission
ShOolu ACLiONC NIL HOIDdS.
This evening Professor Wilson, Di-
rector Thomas agent, was seen by an
Associated Press representative regard
ing the matter. "Mr. Thomas will not
talk about the affair."" said he. sit is be-
meath his dignity to notice such trivial
things. He is too greata man to even listen
to such foolish charges. 1 will not allow
any one to approach him on the subject
With this the Manager and Director en-
tered carriage and were driven away.
The Commissioners considered the
piano question at length again, and
finally adopted the minority report of the
Judiciary Committee, offered by Burton
of Kansas, declaring that the Council of
Administration had no jurisdiction in the
piano trouble.
The Sunday-opening question comes
| up tomorrow.
The Council of Administration has de-
termined to put stop to the extortionate
prices charged by some of the restaurants
at the fair. Vigorous action will be taken
tomorrow.
EVEN THE LADIES QUARREL.
CHICAGO, May Airs. Potter Palmer.
President OF the Board of Lady Managers
of the Worlds Fair, announced at the
opening of the meeting of the board this
morning that she would be compelled to
resign II the ladies did not quit quarrel
ing and behave in more dignified man
ner. The meeting was very interesting
and many members were in tears before
it was over. Some of the ladies' even
cried aloud, and speeches in support of
the President were made in broken
voices, accompanied by expressions of
heartfelt sympathy for Mrs. Palmer.
Finally resolution supporting the
President and thanking her for the noble
work she had done was unanimously
passed.
A resolution empowering the President
to appoint committee to formulate a
plan for great organization of ladies, of
which the present Board of Lady Mana
gers is to be the foundation, was adopted,
the ladies stating that when their Worlds
Fair work was done they desired to band
themselves together to further the
interests of their sex.
MURDERER HARRIS DOOMED,