New Britain herald., 1928-01-12

A special musical program in honor of Joseph c. Beebe. former organist and choir leader at the South Congregational church. Is be- ing planned by Carl l.. Bloom. present organist, for tho day of the dedication of the rebuilt organ, which probably will take place February $.
 The Philip Corbin, Memorial organ at the South church. now undergo ing complete renovation. fl claim- ed to be one of the finest organs in the eastern part of the United States. Although it is surpassed in age by many other instruments, it is doubt full. in the belief of many. if any of them can compare with this in strument in range of power and beauty of tone. It Is said to hold . unique position as masterpiece Of voicing.
 The original installation back in 1896 was much smaller than the present instrument. There was no echo organ and the pedal and solo organs were smaller than the pres ent layout.
 The console of the old organ was a movable affair. having a 100 feet cable attachment by which the desk could be placed in any position of the church. This arrangement is not found in the modern organ be- cause it has no practical signifi- canoe. A small storage battery also was used to fur aish current for the action, a thoroughly unreliable con- trivance which had to be dispensed with in a short time. A water motor furnished the power for blowing the bellows.
 Although the program of 1898 is said to show many extravagant claims for the equipment referred to amove, the Philip Corbin, coming as it did before the use of electricity became 50 universal. was considered a marked step forward in the science of organ building. It was MT. Cor bins ambition to see that the church had one of the largest and finest instruments in the country.
 Would Cost 4S0, 900 Today.
 Purchased at that time for $1s,- 900, modern experts figure that the same instrument today would cost sso.0oo. The difference represents the advance in cost of labor and materials in 32 years.
 In 1913 MT. Corbin presented the church with a sum of money for an echo division for the organ. this di- vision to be placed in the rear of the church. It was necessary to construct q compartment to house this section, and part of the wall in tower chamber had to be cut away to provide an outlet.
 The echo division Is quite large and forms an independent division in itself. A new console also was provided at that time. enabling the organist to set combinations at the organ proper instead of setting them inside the organ as was the case before.
 The solo and pedal divisions were amplified. four more stops being added to the pedal and two to the solo. A set of chimes was installed in the choir organ. and the tower chimes were attached to the choir echo organ.
 In late years, much trouble has been experienced with the organ from cipherinss, wind chest leaks and faulty action, due to long years of service. It was on the advice of Joseph c. Beebe that it was voted to rebuild the instrument.
 For this purpose, a small group of members of the church, contrib uted the sum of money necessary.
 Last year the contract was award ed to the firm of Lewis and Hitch cock of Washington. The contract called for new wind chests for the great. swell and choir organs. new primaries for the pedal and solo organs, complete rewiring of the whole organ. addition of seven or eight new couplers. installation of a new generator for the action, and renewal of the key contacts for great, swell and choir manuels. Be- sides these features there were a number of smaller details to be at- tended to which bear directly upon making the rebuilding perfect job.
 Under the personal direction of Richard Pelicano, is 2 force of five or six workmen. each Vngaged in his individual task of setting pipes, -tun- ing, or looking after the rewriting or