Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-01
ORCHESTRA LOVERS
NAY START FUND
Campaign by Supporters to
Lease Academy Of Music
Is Planned .
MANY FAVOR PROJECT

campaign by supporters Of the
f'pliadelphin Orchestra and music low
~ generally TO raise funds for the lease
~ the Academy of Music to the musical
1rsanlxation may be started within a
81 Enough money would have to be
trafsed to equal the offer said to have
csen made by moving picture and the
htrlchl interests who are endcnvOring to
obtpin the building.
assurances of support in such cam
pnign have been received by Arthur
duuspn. manager of the orchestra. from
many men and women OF prominence.
Although plans are in tentative shape,
II is highly probable that mass meet
ing In the Academy. attended by sup
porters of the orchestra. will be held as
means of obtaining support in the
movement to save the Academy for
Philadelphia
Ask for Proposition
MIR. JudSon received communication
I, from Colonel +. V. Bonnaffon. secretary
lof the Academy's stockholders associa-
fsori, in which the latter said that a
proposition had been received for the
o'iilding ard asked IL the orchestra had
Any proposition to make in the matter.
Miss Frances Wister. president Of the
wopcn's committee of the orchestra as
eociation,, said that the committee
would be very glad to do anything that
Inc iorchestra association requests.
III would be n. most terrible calamity
,'<6 art" said Miss Wstcr, "for the
4 pcople of Philadelphia to let the Acad-
einy be used for moving picture "Xhi-
bitions."
Not Anxious to Sell
Il
OF the Academy stockholders. said that
undoubtedly the directors would be glad
to do anything in their power to fur
thcr the wishes of the city TO keep the
Academy for it's present purposes.
n various propositions have been sub
mitted to us for the lease of the Acad-
euay," said Mr.. Iippincott. eve are
not anxious to sell, because the federal
tax would take all the profit out Of it.
II the people of Philadelphia wish to
buy the Academy or take it on long
term lease for the Orchestra, the drag
tors would, | think, be glad to do what
they can to advance the project.
1t costs $50, 900 n year in taxes
alone on the Academy. and another
x30,OO0 to run II. should say that
$4,000 year rental would be attractive
TO the stockholders.
"Of course. Doctor Baker must have
the final word, but I know that all the
stockholders want to keep the Acad-
envy for the Orchestra"
The future of the Academy may be
decided at a meeting of its directors in
this city on Monday.
Would Lose Home
As the lease or sale of the building to
moving picture promoters would leave
the Philadelphia Orchestra without
home, efforts will be made by prominent
Phfiadelphians to buy the Academy and
preserve its identity as one of the city \
leading musical and educational centers.
While many of the stockholders, It
IL said. are opposed TO the sale Of
the building, its future lies in the
hands of Doctor Baker. He owns -
per cent of the stock. incidentally, il is
said, the iiividcndS have been very
meager. lutItT9Iq
At his home in Lakewood yesterday,
Doctor GsarGe- -Eales Baker. principal
stakeholder of the Academy declined TO
say what action he would take on the
matter. .ue--declincd to discuss the
subject or answer any questions which
would throw light on the future Of the
building. Doctor Baker, it is said, will
attend meeting Of the directors in this
city on Monday.