New-York tribune., 1911-12-29
RE-ENCAGE Mr.. STRANSKY
To Conduct Philharmonic Or
chestra for Next Three Years.
CONTROL NOW IN QUESTION
Pulitzer Bequest of 100000
May Bring About Retirement
of Guarantors' Committee.

Josef Stransky, who is now the con
d,ctor of the New York Philharmonic Or
chestra, has been re-engaged to lead the
orchestra for the next three years. Mr..
Stransky's re-engagement was made orig
insllv by the guarantors' committee of the
society. and was confirmed at a meeting of
the members Of the society, held on Tues
dav afternoon. The guarantors' commit
tee which three years ago. after raising a
rind of sS00,o00 took charge of the affairs
of the orchestra for period Of three years,
made the proposition of Mr. Stransky S
engagement to the society members. agree
Inc 10 pay the conductors salary for three
Years, with no responsibility from the So
ciety. The members at the meeting on
Tuesday voted unanimously 20 accept the
Cusrantors' offer.
Whether or not the society's action fore
bodies a continuation of the orchestra's con-
troll by the guarantors' committee-a con-
troll which, under present conditions. lapses
after this season--is as yet uncertain, being
rendered doubly uncertain by the terms of
the will of the late Joseph Pulitzer, in
which he left $5oO0c to the Philharmonic
Society under certain conditions
Richard Arnold, vice-president OF the
Philharmonic Society. said yesterday that
aS vet nothing was known in regard TO
what would have TO he done TO meet Mr.
Pulitzer's wishes
We have accepted the guarantors' offer
of Mr.. StranSky's services as conductor, be-
cause We all think most highly Of him as
man and musician" said Mr.. Arnold.
He has done a great deal for the orches-
ira. The guarantors' committee have under
certain conditions the right of renewing
their control Of the OrcheSra's affairs,
which we gave them three years ago, but
as vet nothing has been decided as TO
whether they will do so or not. We have
heard nothing from the Pulitzer trustees as
20 the bequest left to the society, and We
DO not expect to hear anything until the
affairs Of the trust are Strengthened out"
Carl Hauser, one of the directors OF the
Philharmonic, said he did not believe there
would be any difficulty with regard to the
bequest
The Philharmonic Society is still in ex-
istence," said Mr.. Hauser. and l suppose
before the bequest is received We will have
20 go back at least once to our old organi-
zstion. inasmuch as the money is left TO
,he Philharmonic Society. We have all
Oteu plSdStu Win MI. StTdHShN "Oih'
and when the guarantors offered us his
services free of expense 10 us for three
years, We naturally accepted the offer. We
all hope that Mr.. Pulitzer's bequest will
nut the orchestra OH a permanent footing,
but as yet We do not know exactly what
form of organization will be required by
he terms of the will
Mrs George r. Sheldon said for the
-uarautors that Mr.. Stransky's engage
ment was generally pleasing to every one.
We have liked Mr. Stransky's work and
think he has done great things for the or
chestra," said Mrs. Sheldon. The Pulit-
Der bequest will be of great help 10 the So
ciety, but as yet no steps have been taken
In this regard"
Josef Stransky is now in his first year as
conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra,
having been engaged last summer to fill
he place left vacant by Gustav Mailer.