The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-10
WANTS LOCAL TALENT.
Topeka Man Makes a Few Suggestions
About Pipe organ.

A reader of the State Journal sends
in this comment on Frank Fosters
Pipe Organ association report:
To the Editor of the State Journal:
noticed with much interest the re-
port of Mr.. Foster of the pipe organ
committee in Fridays State Journal,
and I beg leave to make few com
ments and a suggestion. from the
standpoint of a member of the mass
es;' a laboring man who has the good
of his community at heart. es
In the first place, Mr. Foster says
that the executive committee ARE re-
solved to make no more contracts
guaranteeing the payment of any
specified amount" then adds as an
item in connection with the latest
scheme, that Mr.. Charlton's contract
provides that all the expenses shall
first be paid out of the receipts, and as
one item of expenses he is to receive
So, 400 for the talent.
Nearly half Of the $4,000 due is to
be carried out of Topeka in the pockets
of strangers as expense and then II
there happens to be anything left, give
the promoter TO per cent of that And
the committee hopes to have $1,000
as their 60 per cent of 1.-THE remains
But suppose the ticket sales did not
amount to $3,406. The association
would have to make another trip to
Helen Hunt for the money TO make up
the deficit
It appears that the lyceum courses
have paid their way. They were given
at prices which the common people
the labOring men-cOuld AFFORD Also,
they were entertainments which we
could all enjoy. On the other hand the
artistic society element were not suf-
ficiently so to support high priced
grand opera singers and prima donnas,
and probably would not do so In the
future.
rtr,-r on
money to hear some noted singer, who
injects so much affectation into her art
that the auditor can understand neltn-
err the language nor the theme OF the
song, whose singing not only mas the
scope but also the penetrating qualities
of a steam siren; Instead OF paying out
the price of our oragn to long haired'
III tempered ARTISTS" to hear them
make noises such as we can hear Tree
of charge in the ''tone color depart
ment Of the Santa Fe boiler shop, why
not give home talent concerts at popu-
lar prices?
Why not let US hear the organ llsel5
oftener? The writer hereof would
rather hear Mr.. Roehr play the great
organ than to listen to any travelling
viclinist pianist or celHst VINO ever
and instrumental performers OF our
Think Of exploring the country for
a concert troupe to come and sing IN
the home OF the nn6Sl COHApe1hy -
singers in the Union-our Modocs-
Think of bankrupting ourselves Tor the
sake of Damroschs orch estra. Wnen
we've got Steinburg's orchestra ana
Marshal's band
OF course I admit I have not the
artistic taste fully developed as yet
nor an educated musical ear Still,
great audiences have wept whlle nedr
ing and thinking of Home, Sweet
Home" Men have cheered the strains
of 1.-THE Star Spangled Banner 6u-
man hearts have expanded under the
smell of NV Old Kentucky Home,
asEan Rolt'' and annie Laurie, ana
,,1,,,,s1 eouls have attained to more
exalted heights through the singing OF
Cardinal NeWman's hymn, and eSus,
Lover Of My Soul" Give US an Ola
time concert which we can all ENJOY
one more suggestion: believe tnat
among the men of Topeka, who, ike
~ = writer. have no other income save
o1,r daily wages. one thousand men can
,,a found who will give 81 each to the
nine organ fund. without the allure
r,,ant of "a ticket" to anything. out only
for the sake and good it viii pc 70 our
home citv ONLY let US feel that 1t be-
io11r-s ~ i,s all. that 1t is not to be kept |
Locked IN and silent save on great or
state occasions, but that its beautitul
tones may often be heard by the poor
est and hardest working men ana
women of the city. and l belleVe you
viii flnd that our artistic sense, the
lack of which has been often deploreo
In the city papers, will suddenly de-
ve1on to such an extent that 1t will be- |
come a matter Of personal pride and
Joint labor of love to keep and main |
tain our splendid organ as it should De
kept-free from debt, the property and
pleasure of US all.
STATE JOURNAL SUBSCRIBER