The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-05-13
WAS ASKED TO LEAVE
Musical Director Of the Fair Round
" Oensured.
MANY CHARGES AGAINST HIM


cHicAoo, May iss--Aftcr two weeks
Of hard work. the committcr lnvestt
| eating IN tho bureau OF music Thurs,
day evening made report 10 the ma
tional commission. Tho report. IN cf,
feet, stated that Mr.. Thomas useful
ness as musical director Of the fair
hns ended, and that harmony In that
department required that hts services
BE- dispensed with. The rcpcrt n most
severe Arrangement 81 MI Thomas
and his methods az conducting the
bureau 81 music II gives fearful
rasping 10 Chief llnrpist Schneider,
who proposed 70 local firm ~ musical
linstrnmcnt manufacturers that he
would play their harf,s for d bonus 81
81 600 year. Schneider. In his tcsti-
mony. itappears, admitted having made
the proposition. and stated that II his
demands had been complied with Nc
would have continued 70 usc the harps
In question. and would not have changed
70 another manufacturer.
Before the committee Mr.. Thomas de-
nied hcing la any way connected with
any house engaged III selling or manu-
featuring musical Instruments. He also
denied any knowledge Of Schnecker's
proposition, but admitted that artists
accepted bonuses or pay for exploiting
instruments. but this WINS mono OF hts
business. Mr.. Thomas declared that
the authority Of the director general
over him was only nominal. II wns
shown that Director General Davis Ind
notified Thomas not to make engage
ments with personswho creunderobli-
cations to use Instruments made by nom
exhibitors Notwithstanding this Mr..
Thomas has placed IN music hall and
had played at the concerts the pianos
Of non-exhibiting firm. and the pro-
gramme 81 future concerts Ii 10 ar
ranged that II practically excludes
pianos of all exhibitors. Nor WINS this
fayorittsm confined 10 tho tsc 81 pi-
amos. II has been cnrrich ~ the nse OF
organs and harps. as the evidence com
clnsively shows rrof Peabody, chief
Of the department 81 liberal arts,
having jurisdiction to DO sd, APP
piled 70 Chicago firm. 70 have
them build nm orgnn to be
placed In the wofnanss building, tom
dering space for That purpose. The
proposition was accepted, and the organ
was built, ready for the delivery In
time. when Ii was stated tp the boilsa
that Mr.. Thomas would call ID examine
the instrument. the matter having been
referred TO him. Ilc did not call, nor
was the instrument taken; but IN Its
stead an organ represented by d nom
exhibiting house Is 10 DO placed III the
woman's building
II seems 10 be m admitted fact, the
report continues, that the use ~ piano
In the musical exhibit advertises far
more extensively the piano than II II
were placed In manufacturers hall on
exhibition.
In conclusion tho report says:
'sYour committee reitcratc the formere xpres
sion 81 this commission that no piano not ex-
hibited for award should be used In music or
choral hali during the fair That tho usefulness
Of Prof thomas At the bend Of The bureau Of
music 81 the Worlds Columbian exposition is
so impaired that, III our judgment, his SERVICES
should be further dispensed with, and We rec
onimend that the director general be instructed
70 request his resignation.