The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-14
Strange Story of Intrigue and
Schemes.
WILL BE TAKEN INTO COURT.
Correspondence Which Throws {
Peculiar Light on Anderson's
Methods of Work.


and recognized the association under the
name of the Iowa Military Band it seems
as if the law will step in to stop this little
arrangement
There are two sides 10 every story. and
that of the split in the Iowa State Band is
no exception to the rule. Director Phin-
ney claims that O. s. Anderson is not and
never was business manager Of the band,
and that bis assertion that he has dis
charged Phinney is all false. As matter
of fact Mr.. Phinney is the original organ
izer of his band. 1t is to his hard work that
its efficiency is due. 1t gained considerable
fame at the Worlds Fair, and it would
seem, according to Mr.. PhinEey's story.
that Anderson is trying 10 use this name
and fame for his own selfish ends.
According to Phinney the band is duly
organized incorporation under the name OF
the Iowa State Band Association. The
association includes some of the leading
citizens of Des Moines, Iowa. Mr.. Phin-
ney owns a goodly portion of the stock and
has been for years general manager and
musical director. Anderson, who Is very
smooth business man, got in with the band
before the Worlds Fair. and represented
that he could get IL an engagement at the
Midwlnter Fair.
Phinney put up $1,000 and Anderson
some $1,000 10 bring the organization out
here. Anderson did secure an engage
ment for one month for $1,000 and he made
il out in his own name. In fact. the fair
directors supposed all the time that they
were dealing with principal and not an
agent. At the end of the month it was
found that he could not secure an extended
engagement as he represented, but the
band was engaged at $500 a week. In the
meantime Anderson had been tomenting
disturbances in the band, and finally, when
c. ii. Hubbard proceeded TO attach the in
struments and music, he enticed away
from their allegiance some thirty OF the
musicians aud has started what he calls
the Iowa Military Band" Phinney has
employed lawyer and an injunction will
be taken out to restrain Anderson from
using the name.
The trouble between Anderson and
Phinnev dates back as far as December
last. The former was usurping all author
ity and so Phinnev complained to the
directors. Through ID. 3. Lyons the asso-
citation wrote a strong letter to Anderson.
In this epistle they say, among other
things:
The Iowa state Band Association is not a
myth. Ii is duly Incorporated body with
$4,000 cash capital all paid in. OF which Mr..
Phiuney owns gOodly portion, which was paid
for by him In cold cash some years ago. The
association has board OF directors. who have
entire control of the business. The association
owns all OF the property and good will OF the
Iowa Stale band. ii employed MIR. Phlnney
several years ago 10 be general manager and
musical director of the band, which position he
rightly deserved on account of having gone
through more throes of agony during tile three
years prior 10 his appointment than you could
possibly 90 through in twenty-five years With
the band as IL now exists. MT. Phinney and
his wife struggled against fate and haZarded
every penny they owned on earth In order TO
ham al Iafn NJ i'm kra
formed. or course l personally stood behind
him in those days and helped him 10 get dona-
lions, etc, from the people. Nevertheless II Is
a WellkIoWn and weil-recOgDized fact that 10
Frederick Pninney alone belongs the credit of
having fought for the existence OF that band
until IL was able 10 secure recognition from
The State of Iowa. Therefore the first point
wish you TO have clearly in your mind is that
Mr.. Phinney VIII be sustained first. last and all
the time by the association and by the people
of this city whether he Is poor or itch. sick or
WELL sane or insane. Under no circumstances
VIII any mans name ever appear In way that
viii deIract whatever from any glory that be-
longs TO him.
After insisting that every man in the
band. from Phinney down. is salarIed
emplOye, and that each IS subject to him as
general manager. the letter goes on to
state that the credit Of making the band
what ii is is entirely due to PhinDey. 1t
continues:
In fact. Mr.. Phinney is pretty much OF a man,
and nobody cOnld convince the citizens OF Des
MOines that he is nor. | feel sure that you
nave got an erroneous impression of him. be-
cause at the time you had your principal deal
iugs with him he was well nigh Frustrated, a
condition from which he is quite recovered.
The only thing for all OF you 10 do, as sensible
men. is simply to work faithfully in the various
departments 10 VIII eh you have been assigned.
neither of you seeking nOtOriety, but only
the success OF the band. There is no trouble
about credit being given where it belongs in
this world. For instance. we all recognize in
ordinary tact in managing committees and sun
dry people In the amusement line particu-
larry.
We have no doubt there are several hundreds
OF others who would be just as capable and
whom we could easily employ, and the same
remark would apply 10 Mr.. PhInney CT 10 NJ r.
Ulch. We however, have no desire TO be cast
Ing about for new people so long as those In
our employ continue TO serve us faithfully ana
well. 1t has always been a principle in my
business ana In the business OF the gentlemen
composing our board of directors TO ask no
man TO work for us any longer than lie is per-
fectly satisfied with his compensation and with
his TIRE atment. Neither do We expect 10 con-
tlnue any one in our employ with whom We are
not satisfied. One particular thing have al
ways carefully watched Is TO promptly dis
charge any man who gets sn idea that he Is
Indispensable 10 the business. This remark IS
of course entirely general and you VIII do me
wrong If you take II personally. Ii, however
Will apply 10 any person In The Iowa 81 ate Band
Association or In any other business with which
Notwithstanding these explicit instruc.
lions from the association Phinney says
Anderson has done all he could to f0men:
discord among the musicians. The local
press criticized the band so severely thai
the MUSICIANS got dissatisfied and Ander.
son took care, he alleges, to lay the blame
on the leader. Mr.. Phinney in order tC
allay this feeling resigned the baton, but
retained his post as general manager. The
friction got so bad that Phinney tee-
graphed to Des MoiDes and received the
following dispatch in reply:
DIES MONIES. Iowa. March 10. 18 "a.
Frederick Phinnsy, Director IoicG stat
Band, san francisco: You have full authority
10 discharge Anderson, or 10 do anything per
tanning 10 proper management of the band. &c
good lawyer quickly and let him pilot you
First, get on friendly terms with the fair man
agement if possible. ID. b. Lyons,
For directors.
Upon receiving this Mr.. Phinney SEN
the following letter to AND erson:
SAN FRANCISCO. March 10, S94.
Mr.. O. s. AHderson-SIR: Pursuant TO Irle
dfFaatfona this daV rqfPiyed nv