The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-06


board as reasonable and wise. partfc-
ularIy If they will take pains to com
pare the cost of our season tickets
with that of kindred organizations.
The community now expects this as
ISOLATION to give the best examples of
the art in all the forms it is competent
70, and rightly expects it to provide
the best opponents available. The
managers admit the reasonableness of
this demand and have always en-
deavored to secure one or more of the
greater, WOrld-famed artists for every
festival of course having regard for
( the means at its disposal. This | be-
lieVe, all will admit. Nine Eames was
in that class. She was engaged at the
! greatest cost. The failure of her con-
tract was duly announced in the most
public manner and so became the most
deterrent influence We had to contend
with. Many Of our patrons regard the
prima donna as the chief feature of
these festivals We were obliged to
open our sale with none engaged, and
such was the announcement at the
time Under such conditions l think
we had reason for cOngratulation when
the results of the sale did not show
a larger falling off. Considering all
these things, the support was a trib-
ute to the association and was CRATE
fully appreciated. Look back to the
first year Nine. Gadski was selected
then she had no reputation here; the
new management had not been tested
and confidence was lacking, The loss
that year was over $4,000. Another
factor operating unfavOrably was the
great fair in Buffalo.
Now all this by way of explanation
is not apologize, but to show why it
is 1 contend there is no permanent" loss
of interest" in these festivals, nor any
danger of ultimate disaster" to the
association. But I do admit that a
condition confronts us now that should
be met in some manner. For a better
understanding OF the matter I will give
a few figures. Thanks to the public
spirited generosity of Charles H. Davis
of this city, we have funds sufficient
to meet the deficiency of the last Fes-
tival but it win be reduced to about
$1,000 when all bills are paid. find on
referring to the treasurer's books that
the total Of receipts for the last four
years was $50, 1874 and of expenses S53,-
20S, the loss for that time amounting
to $2454, the average annual loss be-
ing $613; two festivals netted a gain.
The receipts for 1895 and three pre-
ceding years amounted to S43,S10. and
the expenses were S46,734. a loss of
1924; two Of these festivals Melted a
gain. My purpose in spreading these
figures before you Is threefold First.
to show that the managers have spared
no reasonable expense in their effort
to provide the best forces attainable:
second, that the public has shown ap-
probation by increased patronage; and
third. to show that the income is in
adequate for the outlay upon present
lines.
Personally, I feel that any retrograde
movement from the schemes that have
prevailed Of late would be disastrous,
and I know of no other way than to
reduce expenses. The association has
made steady gain in reputation, which
has now become unique. There can be
no backward steps in its exposition of
the character of music it stands for
and for which it is SO admirably
equipped As an exponent of the art
there has been constant progress on
right lines. Its aims have been ex-
allied and its attachments creditable to
its manager and generally satisfactory
to its patrons, and its fame is so ex-
tended that its patrons come from all
parts of our country. So let US do
what we can to at least hold the asso-
citation where it now stands by main
( tanning the festivals at their present
( standard. If we cannot do this with
our present means, cannot we resort
: to some legitimate methods to increase
them? I presume if we were to enter
upon the work energetically and sys-
I tematically we might secure a small
permanent endowment We have had
+ encourag cement from three sources al
ready A well invested fund of 500. 900
would make US secure. as the income
would be more than sufficient to meet
the annual deficit. and its increment
would be large enough to meet such
conditions as now prevail. But the
time may not be ripe for this, and fail
ing that large scheme I suggest that a
small guaranty be secured, not exceed
ing $500. payable pro rata in case of
loss. for the next festival only. 7 have
faith to believe that the guarantors
would not be called upon. but I think
It wise to be prepared for any emergen-
cy. and I believe you will regard the
suggestion as good business. Biennial
festivals have been suggested: they are
a possibility. but there are grave OBJ
jections and I believe their adop-
ton would not cure the evil But I
must hasten 10 subjects more interest
ing.
1t was universally conceded that the