The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-05-03
GREAT COLUMBIAN FAIR.
Thousands of Workmen Putting
on the Finishing Touches.
THE PIANO QUESTION AGAIN.
1t Causes a Decided Clash OF
Authority.
The National Commissioners and Council
of Administration at Loggerheads-
Director-GeneraI Davis Called
to Account.

CHICAGO, May 2.-Work on the I'M
finished portion Of the Worlds fair was
resumed this morning and thousands of
men were soon busy putting the finish
ing touches on the great show while an
other thousand were at work putting
exhibits in place. Teams loaded with
wonders from the four quarters of the
earth passed here and there among the
buildings and locomotives with loaded
trains pulled and steamed through the
grounds. In the midst OF all, throngs of
sight seers strolled through the grounds,
mostly engaged in getting an idea of the
architectural Splendors on the position
OF which so lar as outward appearances
70 is complete. This alone is more than
can be accomplished In a single day. The
immensely of the work grew on the spec
tatcrs as they moved from point to point
and found an amount OF eXertlOn was
necessary to merely walk around the great
structures. a mere sight of them does
not afford fair gauge of their size as the
buildings are all so large that nothing of
ordinary dimensions is in sight to furnish
q standard of measurement.
Director General Davis has been sum-
moned before the national committee to
explain why he had not carried out the
instructions of the committee regarding
the use of piano made by non-exhibi-
tors. This VeXing piano question seems
to have caused a decided clash of author
ity between the national committee and
council of administration. Each of these
official bodies claims to have jurisdiction
on the matter and each are determined
that the other shall withdraw. So far
the council of administration seems to
have the best of the wrangle. 1t is III
favor of allowing the director of music
Thomas and PadereWski to use piano
made by a non-exhibiUor. Today at a
concert given in music hall at the fair
grounds such piano was used in open
violation of the orders eminating from the
commission and with the consent of the
counsel of administration.
When Director General Davis appeared
before the commission this afternoon, he
stated that upon receipt of instructions
be had ordered the director of works to
remove the Objectionable piano. He had
taken it for granted that his order was
obeyed, and he had been so busy that he
had not had time to see the director of
works in person.
President Palmer OF the national COM
mission then read q communication from
Acting President Peck of the local direc-
tory in reference to the discussion had by
that body over the matter, and stating
that it was on April % referred to the
the cauncil had completed its in
vestigation, and reported to the
national commission. This report
excluding non-exhibitors of pianos should
not be law in the case. If non-ex-
hibitors of pianos were excluded it would
cause failure of the musical programme
in large degree. Furthermore the car
Tying out of such order would not be for
the best interests of either exhibitors of
the fair, and added that the council would
formulate rules to govern the matter.
This report was not kindly received by
q large number OF commissioners and
heated discussion ensued as a result of
which Commissioner Burton of Kansas
offered a resolution declaring that the
council of administration had no juris-
diction in the piano question. The
resolution was referred to the judiciary
committee and the commission adjourned.
While the wrangIe was going on Messrs.
Thomas and Paderewsk were busily en-
gagged in music. All but one of the
pianos were declared contraband by the
national commission. Piano exhibitors
are greatly exasperated over the matter
and while none of them viii withdraw
they expressed themselves in anything
but pleasant terms regarding the turn
matters have taken. They are awaiting
the outcome of tomorrow's meeting.