New-York tribune., 1920-12-19

Walter Damrosch, conductor of the
New York Symphony Orchestra, was
asked the other day if he we're given
the income of $20,000,000 to spend on
the advancement of music how would he
do it. He stated that the sum was so
huge and the possibilities for good so
great, with the danger of failure equal
ly great, that such a stupendous under
taking took his breath away. Never
thelcss, the conductor enthused on the
subject and had some interesting things
to say.
1--WE know that money can do a great
deal if intelligently administered" said
Mr.. Damrosch, "but We have all seen
how often money has gone astray, so
to speak, through lack of intelligent
direction. Above all. how throug!
lack OF constant watchfulness it has
completely missed its opportunities and
has been wasted, with almost nothing TO
show for it,. This is true of SO many
educational bequcsts which are ladled
out in this. OF that direction without
effort to analyzc actual usefulness.
Trustees and Musical Expert Should
Be Appointed
III | had the income of $40, 900 900 to
spend on music the first thing I would
do to administer such an enormous fund
would be to find three trustces-mcp
of hi~h standing in the business com
munity and with layman's interest
IN music. Then would select a mu
sical expert, who under their super
vision would act in the double capacity
OF musical adviser and Of watchdor to
see, first, how the money should be
spent, and, second, to see that it really
fui1ilicd Its purpose Such a man is
not easy to find. He should be ac-
quainted with musical affairs all over
the country and should have broad
and liberal outlook on its needs and
possibilities. I would engage him for
period not exceeding three wears at
time and would demand all his time
and energy. | would pay him decent
salary, as a great part Of the success
of my benefaction would depend on his
knowledge and energy.
I'm order that we may arrive at
better understanding as to the chan
nels through which money could he
spent to develop musical art in This
country said Mr.. Damrosch, "it would
be we'll first of all to eliminate those
which would not care to encourage
l would not subsidizc opera companies
OF symphony orchestras. Such insti-
tutlons should be left to the energy of
the musical communities Of the varjous
cities. | would not neces ssarilv found
new institutions for the study Of mu
SIC, but would, as far as possible. en-
courage those already in existence
which are not commercial in their aims.
but which have been founded and are
maintained solely for artistic purposes. !,
would make no gifts in perpctuity. but
would make all donations or endow
mcnts for not more than FIVE wears At
time. 20 be renewed again for like
periods if the results arc satisfactory
to my musical expert
Experience of many wears has proved
to me that associations, as we'll as in
dividuals, should be compelled to give
constant proof of their fitness and their
adherence to lofty ideals. The assur-
ance Of perpetual financial support
often cngenders lessening Of effort
and consequent relaxation Of moral
fiber
'lf we examine the musical culture
already existing in this country" ts~
conductor continued, land compare il
with conditions among the lnusical ma
tions Of Europe. we find that we have
already thin, but highly cultivated,
even oveiru!tivated. supersol Of music
lovers. This means that every one of
The larger cities that possesses an en-
dowcd symphony orchestra has public
OF intelligent, cultivated people. whose
crltica. facu.ty has been highly de-
vcloped, and who take aesthetic nlea e.
urn in listening 10 symphonic osA'ei-
works ably ulcsgntcd bv xn orrhestrs