The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-07
MAY RECONSIDER
MUSIC CONTRACT
KEssNICR DECLARES HTRsCHBERG
MADE SUGGESTION FOR
Low-PRIcED BID.
NEEDED FOR LIGHTS
BID Is HELD DOWN BECAUSE COM
MISSIONER STATED FUNDS
WE'RE NEEDED BY
THE CITY.

Owing to the fact that the contract
for music in the parks was awarded
to the highest bidder by the admins
trative board. and also to the fact that
the unsuccessful bidder drew his bid
at a suggestion OF a member OF the
subcommittee Of the board who
awarded the contract, 1t is quite likely
that at the meeting OF the admins
trative board this morning the matter
may be reopened. and the question OF
the contract be discussed by the full
board.
Professor Joseph Kessnich. whose
bid for the music was $3.50, left the
city last week with the veterans from
Lee Camp for Gettysburg with his
band of thirty. This was the day
following the award. He returned on
Saturday. 1t was learned then that
he had framed his bid according to
a suggestion made by Commissioners
Hirschberg, who. according to Mr..
Kessnich, advised him to make his
bid two or three hundred dollars less
than the amount of $500 appro-
priated, so the board would have
enough left out of the original appro-
prtation to place lights in the parks
so the musicians might see their way
through the concerts.
Hirschberg Suggests Low Bid.
"Mr. Hirschberg told me this in the
City hall elevator" said Mr.. kessnich
last night II am making no special
protest on the award OF the contract,
but / cannot see why l should be
advised by a member of the board to
make II lower than the original ap-
preparation, and then see the contract
20 to a bidder who asked the fun
amount of the appropriation"
The subcommittee named by the ad-
ministrative board embraced Messrs.
Hirschberg and Mccarthy. As Mr..
Hirschberg had suggested the sub
committee he was named as chair
man.
When the contract was awarded by
the board last week. the explanation
was made by the subcommittee that
the reason 1t was given the highest
bidder was because the personnel OF
the Stein band appeared to be higher
classed than that of the Kessnich
hand. The Kessnich band has been
in existence a number of years and
supplied concerts In the parks several
seasons. There has heretofore been
no Stein band. Professor Stein has
for years conducted orchestras at
various theaters in the city. Pro-
lessor Iardella, who liz associated with
Professor Stein In the park concerts.
directed the park concerts a number
of years ago and is recognized as a
musician and bandmaster of high
class. He left here TO 60 TO the SOL
diers' Home at Hampton. and remain
ed there about Eve years He re-
Gently returned
Commissioner Beck said last night
that he knew nothing about any sug-
sestion made by Commissioner
Hirxchherg
Beck is Surprised.
When the report of the subcom-
mittee was made" said Mr. Beck. II
voted for the report. believing that
everything was satisfactory to all con-
cerned. But II this is true that the
suggestion was made to Mr.. Kessnich,
then different situation exists"
He did no, say he would bring the
matter up, but 1t has been intimated
that the question will be brought TO
the attention of the board this morn
ing.
A report went the rounds last night
that the reason the Kessnich band
was not given the contract was that
the uniforms Of the hand were pur-
chased from non-union shop.
Mr.. kessnich denied this, The
uniforms were brought from the great
hrm of Liliey & Co. who make a
specially of supplying uniforms. We
paid good prices for them. I asked
for prices here. but found none OF the
local houses IN condition to furnish
the uniforms"
In the meantime Professor Stein
and Professor Iardeila have gone
ahead In their arrangements for the
concert at Chimborazo tonight, and
have announced the program.