New-York tribune., 1903-03-01
FUND OFFER REJECTED.
DGmrosch VII Not BE Candidate
for. Reelection.

A meeting Of the comraittee appointed by the
Philharmonic Society to consider the gift OF a
subsidy OF at least $4,000 annually vas held
yesterday, and 1t was voted not to accept tne
gift. The result will Be that the Philharmonic
Will continue to raise money, conduct It's analFs
and give it's concerts az heretofore, ana also
that Walter Damroseh will not even be candi-
date for reelection as conductor Of the band
Over this offer of a permanent fund there has
been much discussion. and the action OF the
Philharmonic socIety in rejecting it was by
no means unexpected. When Samuel inter
myer, who is the chairman Of the committee
that gathered or subscribed the fund and an
intimate friend OF Walter Damroscn, who first
started the movement, sailed for Europe. few
days ago. he left his committees ultimstum
with the Philharmonic. and though the society
would doubtless have been glad to get the
money it would not take it the terms OF
the ultimatum.
In the main these terms were as follows: A
fund Of at least $25OO0 year was guaranteed
for four years, with what amounted to prom
isa Of $4,000 or $4,000 more each year should
the Philharmonic ACCEPT the offer. This fund
was raised through a committee which had no
connection with the organization OF the society,
and it was felt that the subscribers to the fund
should be represented In the governing board OF
the Philharmonic Accordingly the society was
asked to alter it's constitution and vest the gov
ernment of the society. which is now co-opera-
tive, in board Of directors, seven of whom
should be laymen, subscribers to the fund, and
eight "a ma jority) members Of the society, that
ig, musicians of the band. The election OF the
director, concertmeister,. and so forth, now IN
the power Of the whole society, was to be given
to this board of directors.
This was the ultimatum of those offering the
(yvoS To fNa nnia ~ EnCiG1y
fused to accept it. 1t may be stated that In
the society were many men. especially the
younger musicians, who wished to accept. AS
one of them said, it would mean more busi-
nesslike and up to date method Of admintstra-
ton, weekly concerts and rehearsals frequently,
a sure basis for the orchestra, and enough
money to accomplish great results. But the
older members, those who affirm that the So
ciety has run its affairs as at present for sixty
one years and needn't worry about the future,
won the day. Among these older men are
many, it is said, who do not wish frequent re-
hearsals, as their musical lessons. source Of
income for them, would be affected, and be-
cause many Of them fear that they themselves
would be displaced from the orchestra for
younger and more pliable, If not better known,
musicians.
Mr. Damrosch's name was kept out of the
discussion yesterday. It is fair to- him that 1t
should be so, for the acceptance OF the fund did
not mean as some have said, that the society
would have to accept him as conductor. willy
ntlly. The plan Of a permanent fund was his
but some months ago. when it was suggested
by the Philharmonic directors that he be elected
director for three years, he said mo-, the year
ly election should continue, as he was working
for the betternent of the orchestra, not for his
own gain. And no such condition was laid down
in the ultimatum. OF course, Mr. Damrosch
would have desired to continue the work he
had started, but there was no compusion on the
society to elect him had the gift been accepted.
Now that It has been refused. however, he will,
without question: withdraw from the candidacy
for reelection.
Who the new conductor VIII be IS as YET quite
unsettled. He will not be chosen till April Nor
pared to state what course they will now take.
one OF them said for felt that it was for
chestrai music in this city. The changes in the
government of that society which we demanded
WERE we felt not only necessary. but in line
with modern methods. Mr.. Damroseh, too was
working in what he felt confident was the wise
and far sighted way, and unselhshly. To utilize
the fund, if that were pososible, for the organi-
feel, seriously to split the musical forces in the
city, resulting in crirpling all around. So what
will be done Is as yet unknown.