New-York tribune., 1921-02-13
By H. E. Krehbiel

~ As A&4 SA40IAA
The orchestral situation as devel-
oped by the merger of the Philharmonic
Society and the National Symphony
Orchestra (Inc.) has been the principal
topic Of discussion in musical circles
during the past week. In intimating
last Sunday that what was described
as 8 merger or combination was an in
gurgitation, ingestion, imbibation, ab-
sorption or what-not of the latter or
gsnizstion by the former, we might, or
ought, perhaps, have been little more
particular in our choice of words in
view of the little abbreviation 'Inc."
which is part Of the title of the Ma
tional Symphony Orchestra. The three
unobtrusIve letters may or may not
mean much in the history of New
York's musical future-if the future
can by any stretch Of meaning be
made to include history.
What we meant was that the activities
Of the band Of musicians known as the
National Symphony Orchestra would
come to an end with the present mus1-
cal season; also, that that fact, with
1ss deplorabe aspects, was due to two
eauses-the mistaken impression on
the part of well meaning persons tnas
she artistic need which they wished TO
heip out was a greater number of or
chestlaI concerts, and the rapacity (to
put no finer point on IT'D of the musi~
clans who took advantage of the phil
snshropic motives of the would-be
patrons Of art to make the increased
cultivation Of that art impossible ex-
eept st an extravagant expenditure
which made the action financially fool
isa and artisticaIly futile.
That the beginning of the enterprise
was rooted in a vainglorious fad of
women which may have had it's root
IN something besides genuine interest
N art was plainly intimated; and there
is no reason (there never will be q rea-
SOM to change that conviction. In an
experience of nearly half century we
nave seen Too many instances Of such
activities TO make US believe that in
this case there was an exception; and
tne facts are of too recent occurrence
&ad are too obvious to change our con-
"cslons Moreover, the law is still work
luRs NhR uh4vz - :
stii "in the offing" We have more con.
eerts by local orchestras than the pub.
Nc can sssimilate or than our philan.
taropisss are willing to pay for (now
suss some Of them have learned wis.
s0n)' yet foreign orchestra are en-
outraged to come hither, and there is
continued talk about this or the other
spectacular gentleman being brought
70 New York. Even those OF infantile
wisdom in musical politics know the
seasons why.
But, as we have tried to intimate
soers is a difference between th,
musicians Of the band commonly
spokan Of as the National SYMPHONY
ofchestra and the National Symptom,
oFenessra, Incorporated. The bands
men have unquestionably in their eff
'O'ss 70 screw more money for les
Sofx out of their employers, some o
saom' at least, were actuated b,
spaianthropic motives, chiefly the be
-e' Of the philanthropists in both it.
oohgation TO make it beneficial t,
anity and that the happiness O
e people would be increased by muI
p'y'ng their opportunities to hea.
s0od music, been hoist by their owl
sasa- nag Very praiseworthy is the be
3 OF the philanthropists in both 1t
a,' r0cts' but also very difficult the ap
''on Of it in practice. Ought ar
= DC encouraged? No doubt. Ca,
y = % encouraged and elevated by max
s 1t 60 begging for support? 4
4esson. Can it be preserved in it
snence .@s by Offering 1t to the multi
~, ' 1or nothing7 A question again
!. s nmo doubly q question. II ar
~ . spiritual need, as food is mate
can the public conception o
ssie morallty-righteousness liz tn