Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-19
THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FIRM.
1t Does Not Change Its Attitude of Opening
the Exposition on Sunday.

1t Does Not Change Its Attitude of Opening
the Exposition on Sunday.
Mr.. Theodore Thomas has been asked to re-
sign his position as musical director Of the
worlds fair. Director General Davis sent
special messenger to Mr.. Thomas house with
the following message:
NJ. Theodore Thomas, musical director
department liberal arts, worlds Columbian
exposition.
Sir: In compliance with the instructions en-
bodied in a resolution adopted this day
May II, by the Columbian commission,
have to request your resignation as musical
director in the department Of liberal arts. Yor
will please turn over all property, records and
documents belonging to and appertaining tc
your office to the chief of the department O,
liberal arts Very respectfully yours.
G. II. DAVIS.
Director General Davis notified the national
commission OF his action and the body was
called into session to hear his communication
HIS letter, enclosing the request sent by him tc
theodore Thomas. asking for the latter's resig-
nation, was read and placed on file.
As soon as the communication was tucked
away the commission listened to another re.
quest from President Higinbotham of the ex-
ecuttve commission. who transmitted to Presi-
dent Palmer the resolutions adopted by the ex.
ecutive committee Wednesday asking for a con-
ference on the Thomas matter. President
Higinbotham said in his communication that
subject of difference had arisen between the
commission and the local board. and he sug.
gested that the board of reference and control
hold meeting today at $3.50 O'Clock in the
Rand-McNally building.
The committee took a recess until 2:3C
O'Clock. which hour was fixen to consider the
Sunday question.
THE SUNDAY OPENING QUESTION
The Sunday opening ghost came in the form
OF special report from the judiciary commit
tee. The report declared that the opinion OF
Director Walker, counsel of the exposition. in
regard to the grounds not being part Of the ex-
position and therefore exempt from the Sun
day closing rule adopted jointly by the direc-
tory and commission last October was based
on manfestly mistaken notion as to what the
rule provided for" The opinion of LAWYER
Walker was declared to be clearly erroneous
and the Sunday rule could not be changed ex-
cept by action of the directory and concurrence
Of the commission.
The report was unanimously adopted by the
commission.
resolution was presented providing for the
appointment OF committee Of two to confer
with the United States district attorney in re-
gard to any suits which might be premeditated
in regard to forcing Sunday opening.
President Higinbotham's Communication re-
garding the Thomas matter was taken up. After
long discussion it was agreed that the COM
munication be received and that the members
OF the local board be respectfully asked to hold
an informal conference with a committee from
the commission. the result of the conference TO
be reported to the commission.
resolution was adopted that Saturday.
session Of the commission be an executive one
and that the general director and the heads of
departments confer as TO the best methods to
be pursued Tor the proper carrying on OF the
exposition.
The commission then adjourned until noon
today.