The Washington times., 1910-02-02
WHY A LOCAL DIRECTOR?

To the Editor OF The Washington Times
Certainly no one viii consider seri-
ousIy the comments OF "A Former Il
rector, appearing in your Mail Bag
on the 2gth instant, concerning local
orcheStras- A response. however, 10
some Of the statements seems OppoI-
tune
That there is but one sO-caIIed Wash
inston Symphony Orchestra all are
well aware who have given any thought
at all 10 the subject. It scarcely seems
pertinent 10 bubble over the name OF
that organization, its rise and fail, its
resuscitation, and its present status.
All these matters are entirely foreign 10
the real issue. None of them solve the
problem Of securing for Washington an
orchestra ranking with those of the
capitals Of other nations. That is the
business in hand. And the merit OF
the Washington symphony Orchestra
as IN organization representa- tive Of the
highest art which the Capital Of the
great nation can aSsimiiate and apprc-
cis5e might well be passed upon al this
time
The other organization is uumista Ea bly,
ard very appropriately denomiuated
The Heinrich Hammer Symphony
Orchestra There can be no coufG-
-
sion Of purpose
II should be distinctly understood that
the conductor of this last named or
ganlzauon has no quarrel with any
oJner organization He Is an artist.
awe 10 the needs Of Washington. and
ne IS giving o. his time, his vitality. his
wide experience and learning. and
considerable amount Of his funds fu
the nope Of awakening the civic pride
OF JhiS city and, through the co-oYera-
non ~ IT'S citizens, peTfectinz a musical
organ cation Of educationar and s-ffssf.
value The orchestra : the co7dg.-o--s
instrument Through the Heinrich
hammer symphony Orchestra all who
nave taken the pains 20 inform them
selves are convinced that Al las.
FFashlnEIon has the opportunity TO
pace herself IN 4 position music % X
where II can no Longer be said --f--,
seeming warrant. that there IS no r--e
alt-Slc spirit in Americas Capi-ar Civ
hNSI ire general public be blinded -
me desired end and lose the orrtr--f----f
u which lies At our door f-, 49,
Thar the cause Of Il -.TVsSbfurro-4.s-7
norn and bred. may be expIoif44.
ltseLu.esS OF htnessI Does amy ono
suppose mat Boston. Philadelphia and
New York took into account +o-
one moment the birthplace Of the lead
erS OF the musical education iu their
cities when selecting their S--rrnrr-.--
orchestra CondUCtoTsg The question an
IT has neen well said that a stream
rises no higher than its source : evu-
phcEE orchestra viii he TO greater thar
IFS conductor
II IS not too much TO say nat Wash
lnEton cen maintain an orchestra rrrraT
az least. % any In this country. which is
proven 10y the reception accorded our-of-
town organizations. The time is rfue.
the conductor is in our midst Measure
him alone by the Beethoven Cvcfe- -
working SlnCle-ha ndef. against trpupr-
doUs ODDS. financial and local. and there
can De but one conclusion. Must Wash
inSjons enc opportunity 10 sacrificed
on the altar Of petty jealousy
No one who is in spirit "a IVaShfr---
icuia0- born and bred would allow
OCCASIONAL ealouSy or personal con-
sjferatiUns 10 rob his city Of the services
~ such man as Heinrich Hammer
be he native or foreign born
MRS LEONA r EIDWETT
1925 Euclid street