Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-07

caeo orchestra, founded by Theodore
and it vas not until April Il.
1908, tHa, the title Theodore Thomas
orchestra was adopted without any
reference whatsoever 20 the gift OF the
Iibrarg. Subsequently, at Mrs. Thorn .
as request, the more valuable scores, .
consisting Of manuscripts, rare edi-
lcns. etc, were transferred TO the
Newaerry library"
Mrs Thomas said in her letter:
''3s5 Park avenue, New York, March
l, lgI3-To the President and Trus-
tees of the Chicago Orchestral asso-
citation:
Gentlemen: The announcement
that the trustees OF the Orchestral as
sociation contemplate changing the
name Of the Theodore Thomas Orches-
ira has shocked and panied me, as l
an sure it must shock and pain every
music lover who honors the memory
OF Theodore Thomas, and although
am not officially connected with the
association | cannot refrain from pro
testing with all the earnestness os
which / am capable against this act
o. injustice.
NOT do I think that the trustees
now have the moral right TO change
the name without the consent OF the
Thomas family, after having accepted
from Us the great gift Of the orches-
tral library which We rendered not 10
[ the Chicago orchestra but 10 the Thee
dore Thomas orchestra.
/ This library is the largest and
most complete modern orchestra. T.
brary in existence and represented
four-fifths of Mr.. Thomas entire es-
tate. His heirs were not rich people
who could afford 10 lightly toss away
the greater part Of their Inheritance.
but the contrary But when We were
assured that the orchestra was TO be
named after him We thought no sacr.-
fee too great II We could thereby help
10 establish permanently the noble in
stitution which should preserve his
name and mis- art standards 10 future
generations.
We did not make the retention OF
the name stated condition Of our
gift, because such a thing was never
heard Of as an institution first honor
ing a great man publicly and later as
publicly reversing that honor and il
did not occur TO us as even a possible
contingency
But the trustees are none the less
morally bound 20 do what is right alC
just toward rs I'm the matter aud can
not justly nullify the whole object o.
our gift 10y changing the name Of tn,
orchestra now.
The proposal 10 call Mr.. Thomas
the founder OF the orchestra is no
feasible. for he did not found the tn.
nagO orchestra. He founded the Thee
dOre Thomas orchestra of New York
the Chicago orchestra was founded b,
its 81 original guarantors and he wa
simply its musical director. s,andinj
in the same relation to its founders a
Dr. William r. Harper stood in rela
ton 70 the founder Of the Chicago uni
d yersity.
Nor should the name of Thomas b
, left on the facade Of the hall if III
name Of the orchestra is changed. 10
II would be as much of a mockery L
keep the words Theodore Thomas On
chestra hall on a building in whicl
? there was no Theodore Thomas orche:
I ira, as it would be 10 entitled him tn
Z founder of an institution which wa
founded by other men.
4 NO. gentlemen. If the name q
Theodore Thomas is no longer goo
& enough for the orchestra which unde
his baton was raised to not only M
z final bur international fame as tn
. standard bearer Of American mus,
q then / must respectfully request. a
8 he would, were he here. that his nam
may also be erased from eyerythin
else connected with the Chicago o
q chestral association forever.
4 ROSE FAY THOMAS"