The sun., 1917-11-03
MUCK RESIGNS,
THEN LEADS j. s.
NATIONAL AIR
"Star Spangled Banner
Will Be Part of Pro.
grammeSin Future.
3 MUSICIANS SUSPECTS
Higginson Defends Conductor
in BOston-DamrOsch Calls
Him Cowardly.
Special Despafch 10 THn SuS.

Spectdt Deepdfch 70 lHb Sun.
BosroN, Nov. 2.-The Boston SYM
phony Orchestra played THE Star
Spangled Banner" to-day. with Dr. Karl
Muck, director Of the Royal Opera OF
Berlin. and koeniglichcr Preussischer
General Music director, leading at the
regular Friday afternoon public re-
hearsal. AS usual IT was a society event.
Symphony Hall, above which fioatcd a
flag In response to public demand. was
crowded. The audience was curious. as
there had been reports that the halls
license was to be revoked unless the
anthem was played.
Inserted into each programme was
sheet reading. 1.-The Star Spangled Ban
ncr will be played Ss the closing num-
ber." The buzz of comment over this
had not died down before Major Henry
Lee Higginson. founder and principal
patron OF the orchestra, walked on the
stage. He said:
"I have asked DIR. Muck and the or
chestra to play The Star Spangled Ban
ner.' They have never refused to play
II. Last spring It was my earnest re-
quest OF Or. Muck that he remain in
charge. as I considered II essential to the
continued success of these concerts.
Dr. Muck Offers to Quit.
He has placed his resignation in my
hands. that no personal feeling against
him may prejudice the welfare of the
orchestra. To lose him would b. dis
aster. The matter rests with me. II will
have my earnest consideration"
Then DR.. Muck came on to lead. He
shook hands with the Major and received
an ovation. The audience stood up to
greet him. After the completion of the
anthem as announced he received an
other tribute OF applause
Thus Major Higginson abandoned his
announced intention Of d,sbanding the
orchestra rather than yield to public in
reference with its programme. II Is pre-
sumed that tho anthem will now be
played at every concert.
Next week the orchestra goes on tour
playing In Philadelphia Monday evening.
Washington Tuesday afternoon. RaltI-
more Wednesday evening. New York
Thursday evening and Saturday after
noon, Brooklyn Friday evening
Charles a. Ellis. manager OF the or
chestra. was asked specifically whether
the anthem would he played AZ future
concerts He said that only to-day had
been arranged for So far. but that the
symphony would abide by the desires Of
It's patrons. At Providence. he said, no
regular subscriber had requested the
anthem and that was why II was omitted
Three Under suspicion.
Dr. Muck came to lead tho Roston
Symphony in 1906. Major Nigginson
insists that Federal officials have exon
Grated him from suspicion as dan
gerous enemy alien Three members Of
the orchestra arc stll under Federal
suspicion.
The management Of tho orchestra an
nounced that Dr. Muck would lead until
the matter of his resignation had been
decided.
A despatch from Washington to-day
said that the Federal officials were hope
ful that the matter would he adjusted
amicably and IN view OF to-day's per-
forInance Dr. Muck will remain at his
post
Walter Damrosch IN discussing tho
announced attitude OF Dr. Karl Muck
concerning the playing OF THE Star
Spansled Banner nv the Boston Sym
phony Orchestra said:
"If DR.. Muck had spoken up like an
honest man and said, How can. you
expect me as a loyal citizen OF Germany
to conduct ''The Star Spangled Banner"
when you know that my sentiments in
this war are in sympathy with my own
country fair minded Americans would
have accepted his attitude. myself
would certainly not have enjoyed hear
ing him conduct our national anthem
under such circumstances.
But the explanation that he gives In
the newspapers Is cowardly and evades
the real issue. He says. why will peo-
pie be 80 silly? Art Is a thing by it.
Continued on Scpenth Page