New-York tribune., 1903-05-22
MRS. sUTRO PROTESTS.
She Claims Musical Federation Was Born
in New-York and Not in Chicago.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF Inc
Sir: Feeling that truth crushed to earth VIII rise
again" and that justice ultimately prevail
have not, during the five years that have elapsed
since organized the National Federation OF Wom-
ems Musical Clubs, cared TO write or menuon
the fact that ii was started in New-York have
stood hv in amazennent watching Mrs Theodore
Thomas accept honor upon honor for the work
which she not only did not do. but which, In $685.
she tried her best to destroy.
Many years ago. at a meeting of Soross, heard
Mrs Jenny June Croly suggest the plan OF form
ing q na tional federation of clubs The Feoerauon
Of Clubs Qiterary) was started by Sorosis. and
low numbers over two hundred tnousdnu
women. Sorosis may also claim the idea, impaired
TO me at that time. OF starting nadonai teoeTa-
ton of women's musical clubs. The work and ex-
nenses Of arranging the National Federation or
wonen's Musical Clubs. however, did not nave the
assistance or treasury OF a club. / myself paid
the expenses Of stamps stationery. printing secre-
taries. etc. and did the work OF organizing
When I was q child once heard my father say
that q woulan's brains were deficient, and in proof
Of this recied the fact that while so many women
were practising the piano and oevotng so rnuch
time to music yet there were no women composers
This passing thought has formed the keynote to
my life Ever since have been trying to encourage
women as composers. j say with absolute PROOF
that although Mary Atwater Kelsey has stated IN
her letters to the press that the National Feoera-
ton of Women's Musical Clubs was founded by
Mrs Theodore Thomas. Mrs. William s. Warren,
Mrs Frederick rTluan and Mrs Edwin s. Uhl of
Grand Rapids. Mich at the time OF the Columbian
EXPOSITION In 1898, these women had nothing to do
with the forming building up Of the federation.
1t was only after great many efforts and many
letters on my part that 1 persuaded Mrs William D
Warren, then president of the Chicago Amateur
Musical Club. Join this national federation. and
I quote from her letters. In January Of 1888 Mrs
Warren wrote me:
Ny surprise and disappointment are unbounded
and nv own on the temporary board OF directors
Mrs. Thomas only New Year Day expressed her
self most forciby on the subject. and now wneq
she sees her name on one of the new circulars
don't know W hat she VIII say. As 10, Iog my ny name
to be used. can act after the meeting here
In that same month. six months after her cleo
ton, Mrs. Theodore Thomas sent to The Associated
Press a letter in which she said:
Mrs. Thomas wishes to state emphatcally that
she is not and never has been connected with the
federation In capacity whatsoever
At the same time the corresponding secretary. at
Mrs Thomass request, was 10 send out circular
letter stating that Mrs. Thomas was not and never
had been connected with the temporary committee
Of the National Federation of Womens Musical
Clubs.
1t might have been expected that I. the founder
and organizer would have been elected honorary
president. But this honor was given to Mrs. Theo-
dore Thomas, who still has it.
The 262d concert Of the Amateur Musical Club
was given in honor of the National FEEDER
alton of Women's Musical Clubs on Janu-
ary 25 1903 At the annual meeting the word
woman" was stricken out some clubs having
men members had been admitted. Although the
federation was started in 1898. 1 surprised TO
learn that at It's biennial only one hundred and
ttirty-odd clubs are to be represented The mem
bership must have decreased in the last five years
Also the object for which ii started seems to
have been entirely lost It started for the benefit OF
American composers. yet the programmes only
such names as Beethoven, Allitsen. STANCE Del
Riego, Della Aqua, Moszkowsh, Tschaikowsky'
Saint-Sa9ns and Chopin are seen 1t grieves me to
think that the object of this federation has been
entirely lost
write correct the statement made by lts sec sc
retary Mary A. Kelsey. that the federation is the
out tgrowth OF the work done by the womens anna
feuT clubs at the time of the Columbian EXposl-
ton / did not receive the names Of any clubs ana
no complete list OF musical clubs was In eXlsteilce
until appointed Mrs. Virgil 10 work n connectqln
with the woman's department OF the MUSIC ietcn-
ers' National Association, and formed this IeoeTa-
fion of which ! the president H. as me me So
retarv saws Mrs. Thomas at the Worlds falr hao
resnonses from thirty-fve clubs let her prove II;
FLORENCE CLINTON SO1RO
New-York City. May 30 1908