Evening star., 1939-02-21
Half Of Goal Gained,
Symphony Campaign
May Be Extended
$64940 Already Roised;
Amount Loes Behind
Last Years Figure

Last Yeor's Figure
The committee in charge of the
1S39-40 National Symphony Orches-
ira fund today went into its last
day before the official close of the
drive tomorrow with only slightly
more than half of the needed Sill
900 pledged and tagging more than
5000 behind the amount raised by
this time in last years campaign.
Although no official statement was
issued, indications were that the
drive might be extended beyond its
scheduled closing date in an effort
to meet the goal. Unless the whole
fund is raised, it was said, there can
be no concerts.
Chairmen reporting for commit
tees at luncheon yesterday at the
Carlton Hotel were not pessimistic,
however, indicating that returns
were only just starting to come in
from the Government. the schools
and Catholic University.
A total Of $64 494O.73 representing
1855 pledges was reported as the
latest information on the fund. This
is 58.51 per cent of the goal and
represents a gain of more than
$4,000 over the previous total.
Appeal Broadcast.
A special appeal to the public to
support the orchestra was broadcast
from the luncheon by Nine. Olga
Samaroff, well-known pianist and
first wife of the famous conductor,
Leopold Stokowski. Nine. Samaroff,
who Is now engaged in organizing
classes of laymen in musical appre-
citation, said she could remember the
day when she was ashamed" that
there was no symphony orchestra
IN the Nations Capital. The lack of
it, she added, would be national
disgrace"
And meant every word of that"
she declared with emphasis.
Nine. Samaroff cited the orches-
tras in all of the European capitals
and pointed out that many of these
had government support. In a de-
mocracy, she said, the orchestra
must depend on public spirited citi-
zens for its support.
mo fine symphony orchestra has
ever been entirely self-supporting,"
she added
She said she hoped some day to
see symphony orchestra here on a
permanent basis as the Library of
Congress and perhaps even a ma
tional opera house, where the works
of some American Wagner or
Verdi" might be performed.
C. US Funds Delayed.
The speaker said she did not think
the Capitals music facilities should
be operated like a circulating IL
braI j located In Philadelphia or New
York or, in other words, based on
visiting artists.
Joseph Murphy, representing
Catholic University, pointed out that
funds from that institution had
been delayed by the cessation of
activities due to the death of Pope
Plus xI. He said Msgr. Joseph M.
Corrigan, rector of the university
had issued a letter urging support
of the orchestra to members of the
faculty.
And I can assure that the uni
versity will come through even bet
ter than it did last year. he de-
clared.
Mr.. Murphy said the university
was hoping to arrange a concert
by the orchestra in connection with
the closing of the university jubilee
in November coincidental with the
meeting OF the Catholic heirarchies
Of North and South America.
Concerts for Pupils.
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle, presi-
dent of the Board of Education, an
nounced to the meeting the plans of
the orchestra to provide 10 special
concerts for the public school pupils
for which time would be taken from
the music education courses in the
schools.
speakers illustrated the interest OF
the school children with tales of
essays written by pupils asking sup
port of classmates and of 68 cents
collected in one school and guarded
by a Boy Scout. Another teacher
was cited who, out of her small earn
ings, contributed $40 and subscribed
to both series of concerts.
Harold Brooks, a member of the
Special Gifts Committee, presided.
Largest amount raised was by the
Special Gifts Committee, which,
with $43,696 pledged, Is more than
10 per cent on the way to It's total.
The Army Committee held the high
est percentage of quota. though,
with more than rs per cent raised.