Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-01

l
I to do one will recall, with that in
cident of not so long ago at Con-
Stitution Hall when the Philadelphia Orchestra
came here to play, and, according to various
watches began its program ahead of time.
Senator Phipps is here writing to the president
of the Philadelphia Orchestra:
Dear Sir: While it is my belief that your
attention has already been called to the I'M
fortunate occurrence at Constitution Hall in
Washington on the occasion of the Symphony
Orchestra concert on January 20, am much
interested in the success of orchestra concerts
in Washington, and particularly those of the
Philadelphia Orchestra, that feel inlpelIed
to send you this letter.
AN examination of the tickets printed for
the series of concerts being given this season
in Washington by your organization bears no
notice that admission will be denied to late
Corners until after the conclusion of the first
half of the program The programs themselves
and notices posted the entrance loors,
however, do state that doors will be closed
during the performance. The advertised hour
of the performance of January 20 contained
In the public prints was 8:45 pm. and the
same time is mentioned in the program. Ac-
cordlng to the watches of several of your pa
irons who attended this concert, however, the
doors were closed at $40, 842 or 8:43 pm,
regardless of the fact that an allowance of five
minues for difference in time of watches is
cuStomarily made
between the time the doors were closed and
the conclusion of the overture, and no attempt
was made to enter until that number had been
Finished whereupon every one expected to be
admitted, as has always been customary. Ger
tainy, in Washington, and SO far as I am aware,
In every other city where orchestra perform
ances are given, but, as stated in the inclosed
newspaper clipping of January 81, some $50
people were denied admittance not only at the
conclusion of the overture, but also after the
conclusion of the symphony and until after the
performance of the operate number.
among this number were many women who
have favored your organization by permitting
the use Of their names as patronesses, and
regret to say that your management has lost
quite number Of friends by the arbitrary &C
ton of your manager
1.-THE writing of this letter also prompts me
10 call your attention to the fact that although
your conductor, Mr. Stokowski, was advertised
10 conduct the orchestra at the performance
given about month ago, he was replaced
by assistant, with the excuse that Mr.. Sto-
kowski had been injured in an automobile ac-
cident. Many of your friends wonder why
your conductor was unable to appear in Wash
fngton on account of injury although he
had actually conducted an orchestra concert
In New York after the occurrence of the ac-
cident.
81 trust that you will receive this letter in
the spirit in which it is written and that your
beard of directors will pass upon what people
: here believe to be an important question, in
stead Of leaving it to the personal decision of
q manager, or even an orchestra conductor"
H'HE Philadelphia Orchestra through Arthur
u Judson, answered as follows:
MY Dear Senator Phipps: Your letter of
January % was brought to the attention of
our board of directors. They have instructed
me TO reply.
cit is the duly announced policy of the Phil
adeIphia Orchestra Association to begin its
concerts promptly and to keep the doors closed
until the intermission. Its tickets are sold with
that condition This is done in order that those
who buy tickets may listen to the concert I'M
disturbed and that the musicians may give
their best work by not being interrupted.
THE hour of beginning (8:45) was set so
that everybody could be there on time and the
concerts in question began promptly at 8:45, and
the time was checked against local Washington
time.
I'VE regret H1r. Stokowski not appearing in
Washington and Baltimore. His doctor adj
Hised him not to attempt these concerts. The
automobile accident was not an excuse. Mr..
Stokowski has conducted every concert that he
was physically able to do and his non-appear-
hnce on this occasion, I can assure you, was
neoessitated by the accident.
we always regret any happenings which
cause criticism of the orchestra or of the as
lsociation, but we can only do the best we can"