The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-06
IT MEETS A sure DEATH
Open Air Concerts Knocked on the
Head by the Musicians.
BAND STAND GETS A QUIErUs
Secretary n. b. Athcrton Was Busy Yes
terday Refunding the Money to the
Men Who Subscribed-His.
tory of the Trouble.

The band stand project for the pro-
posed free Open-air concerts, which
| were to be given by the musical talent,
vocal and instrumental, Of the city, has,
| died a-borning. At 3 o'clock yesterday
| morning it wrapped the drapery of its
| couch about 1t and laid down to pleas
ant dreams. Secretary d. b. Atherton,
of the board Of trade, chief promoter
| OF the movement to secure a place for
the concerts to be held, and who de-
voted good deal of time and attention
In soliciting subscriptions. in which he
succeeded to the extent Of collecting
$l06, sent word out yesterday morning
to adj who had paid him for the project
that their money had not been touched.
and that they should call or send
around for what they had subscribed.
"The season Is getting late. the show
houses will open soon, and lastly. the
location was not a satisfactory one"
Further than this Mr. Atherton would
not declare himself He wished ohave
1t distinctly understood that he has no
criticism to offer concerning the musi-
clans that were to give the concerts
The inside history Of the matter was
learned from somebody else beside Mr.
Atherton. and 1t is an interesting story.
Over 500 Was Subscribed.
Mr.. Atherton informed the musicians
of the city that II they would formulate
a programme and assure him a series
Of open-air concerts, he would get a
stand built. He told them to get
programme ready and place it in his
10 10 hn n To
of the cost and next procured sub
scriptions. William Connell started the
list with $10 and other representative
citizens gave literally. The amounts
were published from day to day in The
Tribune, and on Saturday the total was
| s1O6.
Yesterday morning Secretary Ather-
ton saw r. ]. Bauer and wanted to
know when the programme would be
rendered. Mr.. Bauer said he did not
think any Of the members Of his or
ganization cared a great deal about
playing at such location; they per.
ferred the court house square. They
went Immediately to the county COM
missioners and got point blank refusel
from them to put up the stand on the
property. lHe TltIIlDtTS VI IouueT >
band had a new scheme; they suggested
that seats be affixed and 10 cents
charged for each. This proposition did
not meet with appreciation from Mr..
Atherton.
InactiOn All Around.
As none of the vocal musicians made
any great effort to get programme
arranged that would assure concerts
when the stand would be built, Mr..
Atherton lost no time in undoing all
the work he had previously done. His
first step was to notify the contractor
that the jig was up: that 1t could never
be: that the band stand would be a Sis
ter to the next Scranton boom for gov
ernor. Next, the men who contributed
the money We're sent for and their
money returned.
At 4 o'clock Mr.. AthertOn had refund
ed alp but $14 out of the sum subscribed,
and waited In his office whistling,
| Take Back the Dollar You Gave Me-"
-
Released on Bail.
Peter Sweeney. the young chap who
| was arrested Saturday by Patrolman Mar
i,, 20 hor ha