CHAPTER IV
THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY
MILLION DOLLAR ENDOWMENT FUND, 1919
During the war the Seven Year Endowment Fund continued to be paid in showing that Philadelphians were learning to prize what they had. But the Board of Directors was now faced with another problem, the fact that the increased cost of everything in life made it evident that even the Seven Year Fund was going to be insufficient to meet the yearly deficit. Mr. Edward W. Bok then suggested that the Association should conduct a campaign to raise $1,000,000 during the month of October, 1919, in honor of the twentieth season of the Philadelphia Orchestra. This was in January, 1919, and after the Board of Directors had decided to take this bold step, a Campaign Committee was appointed by Mr. Van Rensselaer, of which Mr. Bok was made chairman; in such fashion do one’s sins return to one.
This Committee met at intervals during the winter, and Mr. Bok, fertile in ideas, formulated his plan of action. This was to have a Committee of Fifty Campaign Chairmen, men and women, each of whom should raise $20,000. Luncheons were to be held twice each week during the month at which reports were to be made. Chairmen having less than $2000 were obliged to announce “No report.”
A circular was widely distributed in order to inform the public of the plans of the Association.
“THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN
“The next season of the Philadelphia Orchestra marks the Twentieth Anniversary. To mark this event, the people of Philadelphia will be asked to complete the Endowment Fund begun in 1915, which was interrupted by the war. For nineteen years, a group of Philadelphia men and women have sustained the annual deficit of the Orchestra. This group has maintained the Orchestra until it reached its present unquestioned position as the leading symphony orchestra in the United States. The Association now feels that the Philadelphia public should place the Orchestra, once for all, on a permanent financial basis. This can be done by completing the Endowment Fund.”
“THE ENDOWMENT FUND AS IT STANDS
“The present Endowment Fund consists of $500,000. In addition to this, there are pledges not yet matured which will bring the amount, within two years, to $800,000. Carefully invested, this total fund will insure the Orchestra a net income of approximately $36,000 a year. This is not sufficient to carry the annual deficit.
“THE ORCHESTRA’S ANNUAL DEFICIT
The cost of the Orchestra per season is $304,000 The income per season is 238,000 Last year’s deficit was, therefore 66,000
“With increasing costs, the estimated deficit for future years will be $80,000.
“WHAT THE COMPLETE ENDOWMENT FUND WILL MEAN
“To the present Endowment Fund, therefore, must be added ONE MILLION DOLLARS. This would mean an estimated income of $81,000, on a total fund of $1,800,000.
“It is this additional
One Million Dollars
that it is now proposed to ask the Philadelphia public to subscribe.
“It should be borne in mind that not a penny of this amount is spent; all is permanently invested, and only the interest therefrom is used to maintain the Orchestra.
“WHERE THE MONEY GOES
“93 cents out of every dollar of income is spent on the Orchestra; put back into the Orchestra, in other words, in order to increase its efficiency:
Salaries of Orchestra members 55.61% Expense of rentals, etc., of concerts at Philadelphia and out-of-town 34.61% Miscellaneous expenses (Orchestra music, insurance, etc.) 2.78% Administration expenses 7.00%
“THE SMALLNESS OF THE ORCHESTRA DEFICIT
“The annual deficit of the Philadelphia Orchestra of $66,000 is one of the smallest of any of the large symphony orchestras of the United States. These deficits average from $85,000 to $125,000 per year. And yet, with one exception, the Philadelphia Orchestra is the largest symphony orchestra in number of musicians, in the United States, and plays a longer season.
“THE DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN TO RAISE ONE MILLION DOLLARS
“It will begin October 1st, 1919, and continue throughout the month.
“The amount to be raised is One Million Dollars.
“There will be 50 Committees, each Committee to raise a minimum of $20,000.
“These 50 Committees will be under the general chairmanship of Dr. Charles D. Hart.
“The headquarters will be, during October, at the Hotel Ritz-Carlton, Broad and Walnut Streets.
“The territory for the campaign will include the counties of Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester and Bucks.
“Pledges will be payable in cash (much preferred) or 50% payable January 1, 1920, and 50% payable May 1st, 1920.
“The Depository for the Fund will be Messrs. Drexel & Company, to whom all checks should be drawn.
“All pledges should be delivered to Dr. Charles D. Hart, or Miss Frances A. Wister, at the Ritz-Carlton Headquarters.
“THE ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE EDWARD W. BOK, _Chairman_ JOHN F. BRAUN SAMUEL S. FELS DR. CHARLES D. HART EFFINGHAM B. MORRIS ALEXANDER VAN RENSSELAER MISS FRANCES A. WISTER CHARLTON YARNALL
_General Chairman of Committees_ DR. CHARLES D. HART”
Mr. Joseph E. Widener provided the Campaign Headquarters in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where an office force was installed and the bi-weekly luncheons held.
Dr. Hart worked hard to procure the fifty Chairmen and fifty-three people consented to serve, but some dropped by the wayside. At the opening campaign luncheon, on September 29th, 1919, there were in actual service only forty-two. As was to be expected, some collected more than their quotas and some less. Women chairmen predominated, there being twenty-eight of these to fourteen men. Their names should be recorded.
CHAIRMEN
Messrs. Edward W. Bok, John F. Braun, Charles D. Hart, Henry McKean Ingersoll, Alexander Van Rensselaer and Andrew Wheeler of the Board of Directors; and from outside, Messrs. Henry G. Brengle, W. W. Fry, J. B. Henkels, Jr., George I. Bodine, G. H. Lang, Maurice Speiser, Herbert J. Tily and Wm. Jay Turner.
WOMEN CHAIRMEN
Mrs. Alfred Reginald Allen, Mrs. Wm. W. Arnett, Mrs. Thomas G. Ashton, Mrs. Charles Carver, Mrs. Herbert L. Clark, Mrs. Matthew H. Cryer, Mrs. Joseph M. Gazzam, Mrs. Charles W. Henry, Mrs. Henry S. Jeanes, Miss Lea, Mrs. Joseph Leidy, Mrs. Wm. S. Newcomet, Mrs. Thomas Robins, Countess of Santa Eulalia, Mrs. Wm. A. Slaughter, Mrs. John B. Thayer, 3rd., Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly, Miss F. A. Wister, Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall and Mrs. Camille Zeckwer, all members of the Women’s Committees.
In addition to these women, able assistance was given by Mrs A. J. Dallas Dixon, Mrs. L. Chandler Williams, and six women who had not up to this time been connected with the Philadelphia Orchestra, except as enthusiastic patrons. These were Mrs. Frederic W. Abbott, in charge of the Matinee Musicale Club Committee, Mrs. Frank T. Griswold, Mrs. Joseph N. Snellenburg, Mrs. John B. Thayer, Mrs. J. William White, and the Motor Messenger Service under Mrs. Thomas L. Elwyn.
The Germantown and Chestnut Hill and the Media, Chester and West Chester Committees acted under their own presidents. The work of this committee under Mrs. Cryer and that of Mrs. Wm. A. Slaughter in West Jersey deserve special mention on account of the distances covered.
SYNOPSIS OF THE RESULTS:
Twenty members of the four Women’s Committees, as individual chairmen $396,292.36 Women Chairmen outside of Women’s Committees 191,832.55 ----------- Total for 28 Women Chairmen $588,124.91
This was 53% of the Fund, but the women Chairmen were two to one against the men.
Besides the collections made by the Committee of Fifty, amounts came in from other sources, such as, members of the Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus, the Van Rensselaer Tribute, the two Wister Tributes, the Van Rensselaer-Bok Telegram to business firms, the Telephone Circular, the Main Line Bonds, other Liberty Bonds, contributions received at the office, etc.
A unique feature of the campaign was the memorials and tributes which gave people an opportunity to place the names of family or friends on special tablets to be placed in the Academy of Music. No less than $1000 was accepted for each memorial.
MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES in THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ENDOWMENT FUND 1919
MEMORIALS TO THE FALLEN IN THE WORLD WAR MAJOR ALFRED REGINALD ALLEN, U. S. A. THE AMERICAN HEROES IN THE GREAT WAR, UNKNOWN AND UNSUNG LIEUTENANT MORTIMER P. CRANE, B. A. LIEUTENANT WILLIAM BOULTON DIXON, U. S. A. ENSIGN GEORGE B. EVANS, JR., U. S. N. Air Service LIEUTENANT ROBERT H. GAMBLE, U. S. A. LIEUTENANT WILLIAM B. KUEHN, U. S. A. LIEUTENANT PAUL BORDA KURTZ, U. S. A. RALPH LESLIE MELVILLE, B. A. MAJOR TALBOT MERCER PAPINEAU, M. C. CORPORAL ABRAM K. STREET, U. S. A. LIEUTENANT ARTHUR RICHMOND TABER, U. S. A. MEMBERS OF STRAWBRIDGE & CLOTHIER CHORUS ARTHUR HOWELL WILSON, U. S. A. TWELVE PHILADELPHIA BOY SCOUT HEROES
TRIBUTES OF THANKSGIVING for the safe return of
LIEUTENANT WILLIAM CURTIS BOK, U. S. N. HAMILTON DISSTON CARPENTER, U. S. A. LIEUTENANT LEONARD E. POWELL LIEUTENANT SYDNEY THAYER, JR., U. S. M. C. LIEUTENANT GEORGE BOWEN, U. S. M. C. JOHN FREDERICK SIEBERLING, U. S. A. HAROLD FRANCIS WESTON, B. A.
PERSONAL MEMORIALS AND APPRECIATIONS In Memory of
JOSEPHINE L. S. ADAMS G. MARTIN BRILL BLANCHE BALDWIN RICHARD VAUX BUCKLEY BEULAH HECKER BANCROFT WILLIAM BURNHAM GEORGE BARRIE LOIS BUCHANAN CASSATT MAUDE ECKERT BENSON WILLIAM T. CARTER RUDOLPH BLANKENBURG FREDERICK TAYLOR CHANDLER JOSEPH B. BLOODGOOD MRS. ANNA L. COMEGYS MARY FRANCES BLOODGOOD RICHARD Y. COOK SIEKE GERTRUDE BOK HUGH CRAIG, JR. ELIZABETH S. BRAUN MICHAEL H. CROSS LOUIS BRÉGY CHARLES HOWE CUMMINGS ARTHUR BROCK HARRY K. CUMMINGS CHARLES HALL BROCK LOUISE KNAPP CURTIS
EDWARD TONKIN DOBBINS RICHARD ROSSMÄSSLER FRANKLIN DUANE EDWARD COLLIN ROSSMÄSSLER GEORGE W. ELKINS JOHN C. SCHAEFER ADAM H. FETTEROLF, LL. D. FRITZ SCHEEL SIMON B. FLEISHER MRS. FRANCIS SCHROEDER ROBERT H. FOERDERER MRS. WILLIAM SIMPSON, JR. REV. FREDERIC GARDINER HENRY M. STEEL DR. W. W. GILCHRIST JOHN M. STEFFAN ANNE STARR GRISCOM JOHN B. STETSON HARRY B. HALL DR. REUEL STEWART JOHN WILLIAM HALLAHAN, 3RD WILLIAM STOLL, JR. GEORGE W. HARRAH ROLAND LESLIE TAYLOR, JR. THOMAZINHA E. HARRAH ARCHIBALD GRAHAM THOMSON MARIA AMES HARTE FRANK THOMSON SARAH KENT HOW JAMES TILY MAX LIVINGSTON S. LETITIA TILY HARRIET ANNE LUCAS EDWARD K. TRYON, JR. MABEL ELEANOR MCCAHAN ALICE DOUGLAS TURNER JOHN R. MCDOWELL ISABEL G. WALKER HENRY J. MARIS FREDERICK WEBER DR. CHARLES MOHR J. WILLIAM WHITE, M. D. JOHN PAUL MORRIS ELEANOR MERCER VANDERBILT JOHN THOMPSON MORRIS WILLIAM F. VACHE HARLAN PAGE MARY CHANNING WISTER RIEHLÉ MEMORIAL FUND WILLIAM BREWSTER WOOD HELEN HAMILTON ROBINS HAROLD ELLIS YARNALL THEODORE ROOSEVELT
IN APPRECIATION OF EDWARD W. BOK ALEXANDER VAN RENSSELAER LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI FRANCES ANNE WISTER OLGA STOKOWSKI
[Illustration: ENDOWMENT FUND MEMORIAL TABLET]
Miss Wister’s name was placed on the tablet by the contribution of two large amounts, one from the Women’s Committee and one from the Auxiliary.
The tablets beautifully designed by Mr. Paul Cret, the noted architect, are placed on each side of the entrance to the inner lobby.
The delightful luncheons held bi-weekly instilled in the workers much enthusiasm and were attended by from 300 to 400 people each time. At these the following well-known public and private individuals and artists appeared, all giving freely of their time and often of their money to help the great cause:
Miss Margaret Anglin, Mr. David Bispham, Mrs. A. J. Cassatt, Mrs. Edward H. Coates, Mr. Cyrus H. K. Curtis, Mr. Walter Damrosch, Mrs. Minnie Maddern Fiske, Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, Mr. Walter Hampden, Dr. John Grier Hibben, Mr. Josef Hofmann, Miss Estelle Hughes (Winner of Stokowski Medal), Mr. Sascha Jacobinoff, Mr. Otto H. Kahn, Mr. Hans Kindler, Rabbi Krauskopf, Mme. Matzenauer, Miss Violet Oakley, Judge Patterson, Bishop Rhinelander, Dr. Thaddeus Rich, Mme. Samaroff, Mr. Oscar Schwar and a group of men from the orchestra.
The thrill of these occasions will never be forgotten by the campaigners. Only those who participated can have any idea of the enthusiasm and excitement prevailing among the workers who eagerly awaited the reports. After speeches and music of a very delightful nature, the chairmen were called by name and saw their totals written on a large black-board. Many of them went to bed the night before with nothing in their pockets and arrived at headquarters in the morning to find their able assistants had brought in the required two thousand and more. It is marvellous that Mr. Bok could, besides running a campaign, manage such brilliant affairs as these were, twice each week. It was no unusual sight to see four hundred men and women come in exhausted and discouraged, and go forth with renewed vigor to beg money. The spirit of excitement ran through it all, for raising money is as uncertain as gambling in that the pursuer never knows when he accosts a victim what the outcome will be, large, small, or nothing, and many surprises were experienced. The competition was great, for Mr. Bok had offered $1,000 each to the first ten committees to raise their quotas.
The Officers and Directors and the members of the Women’s Committees and their Auxiliaries swarmed at the Ritz. Over it all was the influence of Mr. Van Rensselaer, with a courteous and cheerful word for all the harassed.
_Philadelphia Press_, September 28th, 1919:
“400 ENLISTED FOR CAMPAIGN TO SAVE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA.
VOLUNTEER WORKERS WILL RECEIVE FINAL INSTRUCTIONS AT RITZ-CARLTON LUNCHEON TOMORROW
$1,000,000 FUND THE GOAL
FAILURE MAY MEAN LOSS TO CITY OF ASSET OF INCALCULABLE VALUE
“Musical Philadelphia is watching with a great deal of interest and anxiety, the movement on foot to ‘make the Philadelphia Orchestra safe for Philadelphia’ by raising the endowment of $1,000,000, for otherwise, it has been announced that this organization must be seriously curtailed in its activities.”
* * * * *
[Illustration: ENDOWMENT FUND MEMORIAL TABLET]
“Many cities sustaining an orchestra are greatly aided by the work and philanthropy of one or two men, but in the case of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the burden of making up the yearly deficit is distributed among a number of people.
“The Committee of fifty Chairmen who will meet tomorrow at the ‘get-together luncheon’ are each pledged to turn in for his Committee a sum of $20,000. Each Chairman has a group of co-workers, including prominent social and philanthropic leaders of this city.
ORCHESTRA’S VALUE TO CITY
“The campaign to save the Orchestra for Philadelphia has set loose a flood tide of arguments as to the value of this organization to the city’s life. To business men the argument that the Philadelphia Orchestra is a great advertisement to the city will make the strongest appeal, while to the great number of people interested in the artistic life of the city the argument that its pre-eminent place in the world of music merits their greatest support will naturally serve to stir them to action.”
* * * * *
“The realization that the possession of an orchestra of high standing is a great commercial as well as a great civic asset to a city, has caused a number of cities to build up an organization similar to the one Philadelphia already possesses.”
* * * * *
RANKS WITH WORLD’S BEST
“By a most consistent plan of development under the direction of Alexander Van Rensselaer, the Philadelphia Orchestra, now in its twentieth year, has earned the reputation of being ‘the first orchestra in America.’ No less a critic than H. T. Parker, of Boston, writing in the Boston _Transcript_ says, ‘there can no longer be any doubt that the Philadelphia Orchestra is today the first of all American orchestras. In fact, it may be said now to rank among the five great orchestral organizations in the world.’ Mr. Ossip Gabrilowitsch, famous no less as a conductor than a pianist, says that ‘it is now a most important factor in the musical life of this country, and has set a standard of excellence which all other symphony orchestras in America, no matter how famous, must bear in mind, if they wish to maintain their places in the front rank.’”
* * * * *
“Under Stokowski the Orchestra has made a rapid step forward. The first performance in America of the Mahler Symphony, using a chorus of over one thousand singers, made the whole country ‘sit up.’”
* * * * *
“One element that the committee in charge of this endowment fund campaign must combat, is the confidence that the $1,000,000 can be easily raised. This is unpsychological. This same notion has frequently spoiled some of the best organized campaigns for endowing other worthy institutions in this city.”
The publicity for the campaign was brilliantly conceived and executed by Mr. Bok.
In the spring “The Orchestra News” began to appear monthly, with the idea of making the story of the organization much more widely known than it had heretofore been. Its pages were “instructive and entertaining” as the expression was in old times. So were the various folders and leaflets sent out during the campaign itself. Persons of importance in the business world helped with the publicity as well as with large contributions.
“THE ORCHESTRA NEWS
“PUBLISHED EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AT THE PENNSYLVANIA BUILDING, PHILADELPHIA
“WHY I CAME TO PHILADELPHIA
“BECAUSE—America was fast becoming (and has since completely become) the great music-making country of the world.
“BECAUSE—Fritz Scheel (with his instinct for choosing exactly the right artist for each position in the orchestra) had laid the foundation of a wonderful orchestra. Since then many fine artists have been added but the main structure of the personnel remains as Scheel created it.
“BECAUSE—I felt in Philadelphia the existence of a warm hearted and genuinely music-loving public which I believed would grow. This it has done amazingly in the last few years.
“It is my ardent hope that this development will continue, and that we may soon welcome among us the great number of music lovers in Philadelphia, who have not yet come to us. “LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI”
“TO THE BUSINESS MEN OF PHILADELPHIA
“We are convinced that the Philadelphia Orchestra is entitled to the support of the business men of Philadelphia. The Orchestra is now the leading symphony orchestra in the United States, and has become a distinct civic asset of signal value to Philadelphia. The impression made by the Orchestra in the largest cities in America which it visits and where it plays before 100,000 persons during each season has been proven to be of the most pronounced advertising value to our city. To place this Orchestra on a permanent financial basis such as the Endowment Fund of One Million Dollars now asked will accomplish, is a distinct investment for the business interests of the city. To compel so valuable a municipal asset to be discontinued for lack of this fund cannot be considered.
“We ask, therefore, that the business men of Philadelphia will join us in the support of the Orchestra in this campaign.
“SAMUEL REA “W. W. ATTERBURY EFFINGHAM B. MORRIS E. PUSEY PASSMORE JOHN GRIBBEL JOHN H. MASON SAMUEL T. BODINE JAMES CROSBY BROWN SAMUEL M. VAUCLAIN SAMUEL S. FELS CYRUS H. K. CURTIS ELLIS A. GIMBEL WILLIAM A. LAW WILLIAM P. GEST”
“WE DO IT IN NEW YORK By OTTO H. KAHN
“A business man should realize that he makes a definite investment, yielding interest to him and to his city in civic and business advantage, when he supports a worthy art organization in his community.
“In New York we have come more and more to realize the value, the merit and the obligation of such investments.
“The Metropolitan Opera, for instance, and our several symphony concert organizations were started and have always been and are now being supported financially by business men.
“These and similar art enterprises have become not only genuine assets in the lives of the people who support and patronize them, but distinct and profitable business assets to the city.
“Of late, another organization, the Philadelphia Orchestra, has entered into friendly and successful rivalry with the old-established symphonic organizations of New York.
“The public and press of New York are one in acknowledging gladly and cordially that Philadelphia has now in its Orchestra, under its eminent leader, one of the greatest organizations of the kind in the United States, or, indeed, anywhere.
“Its visits to New York are welcomed and looked forward to.
“It has taken an honored place in the musical life of New York.
“In what it has achieved, it has served and proclaimed Philadelphia.
“It carries the message of Philadelphia wherever it appears: a high and fine message of credit and renown to the city which gave it being and supports it.
“The civic value and the business value of the investment which is represented by the Philadelphia Orchestra are definite and great.
“The eminent position and conspicuous reputation which it has attained are assets of great price to its home city.
“The business men of Philadelphia should take pride in coming forward unhesitatingly and generously to the full support of the splendid musical organization which bears the name and enhances the fame of Philadelphia. “OTTO H. KAHN.”
The newspaper publicity was very fine and the programme books were also pressed into service, to further the campaign. Mr. Bok’s and Mr. Stokowski’s clever appeals kept the subject well in the minds of the audiences during that month by the following appeals:
“A PERSONAL INVITATION
“Much as we would like to do so, we cannot naturally reach personally every resident of Philadelphia for their contribution to the Million Dollar Endowment Fund to save the Philadelphia Orchestra.
“In case we have not reached you, will you regard this as a personal invitation to help in our efforts to save our beautiful Orchestra by filling in the blank below and mailing it to the address given?
“Please remember that not a penny of your money will be spent: every dollar is carefully invested, and will work year in and year out, for all time, only the interest being used to pay the expenses of the Orchestra. Your subscription, therefore, is a legacy to yourself, your children, the Orchestra and the city.
“THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.”
* * * * *
Programme, October 17th, 1919:
“A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM MR. STOKOWSKI
“We are facing two possibilities today: “One: Shall we continue the Orchestra as it is? “The other: Shall we reduce it? “Let me tell you exactly what these two things mean, so that we will know exactly what we are leading to.
“Suppose we reduce the orchestra: which we must do if we do not raise this Endowment Fund. That means that your first men in the orchestra, the chiefs of each section, would not remain, because there are orchestras being formed all over the country now, and these orchestras will naturally take away the splendid first men that we have in our Orchestra.
“You would naturally have to replace those men with second-class men. You would have to do this because the relation of supply and demand of orchestral players is tremendously intense. There is far more demand than there is supply of really great players. Having second-class men in those positions—I must speak frankly to you now—you would have a second-class orchestra.
“Now, whoever you have for conductor cannot possibly give you really first-quality results if he has a second-quality orchestra. That is impossible.
“Then you could not allow such an orchestra to go outside of Philadelphia. You could not permit a second-class orchestra bearing the name of the city to travel to the West, to New York, Washington, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and the various places where we play. It would be too much to our shame. We could not do it. So all the tours would have to be cut out.
“In Philadelphia itself we should not be able to give concerts of the first quality, and you would naturally become dissatisfied. And after these second-rate concerts had gone on for one or two seasons, you would say to yourself, this must stop; we must have again an orchestra like what we used to have; we must have a first-class orchestra. You would begin all over again to rebuild your Orchestra once more, and do you realize how long it takes to build or rebuild an orchestra?
“Do you realize that it took me personally all the seven years that I have been in Philadelphia to get three first-class artists for just one section of the Orchestra? And you have ninety-seven men in your Orchestra! That gives you just an idea of the work involved.”
* * * * *
“Will Philadelphia give its Orchestra its needed fund, avoid the calamity I have tried to outline and let the Orchestra go on as it is, and as the generations go on, and we go from this life, we will have the feeling that its influence will go on; that it will accumulate tradition; that it will go on maturing; and that it will become more and more beautiful. “LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI.”
“P. S. In the above I have tried to tell you what must happen if the Orchestra fails to secure the Endowment Fund for which it asks.
“In the programme for next week’s concerts, I want to tell you what will happen if we do get the Fund; the plan that we have so long had in mind for the Orchestra and Philadelphia.”
* * * * *
“TO THE FRIENDS OF THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
“We have reason to believe that it is in the hearts of a number of the friends of the Philadelphia Orchestra to leave a legacy in their wills to the Orchestra. Appreciative as we are of this beautiful thought on the part of these friends, we hope we may not be misunderstood if we suggest the thought that were such legacies now given to the Endowment Fund when the Orchestra stands at the cross-roads of its career, and when the next fortnight must determine its continuance or its dissolution, the service rendered would be greater than may be possible at any other period in its history. If ever the Orchestra has need of the kindliest thoughts of its friends it is at this time when the prestige of this superb organization may be maintained, its present excellence continued, and its strength conserved: when it is here to support and when the generosity of those who believe in it can save it and make it the permanent institution of Philadelphia that it deserves and should be.”
* * * * *
Programme, October 24th-25th, 1919:
“It is not a campaign-slogan: it is the truth when we say:
SAVE THE ORCHESTRA
“If the Endowment Fund fails, this will be the last season that the Orchestra can remain at its present strength of excellence.
“Is that to be your gift to it on its twentieth birthday?”
“WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE SUCCEED By LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI
“In last week’s programme I tried to tell you how we would have to curtail the Philadelphia Orchestra, if we failed to get the Endowment Fund for which we are all striving; how we would have to let our best artists go; how we would, for very shame, stop traveling to other cities because we had a second-class orchestra. All this is absolute.
“Just as absolute, however, is the other side of the picture if Philadelphia will give its Orchestra this fund.
“We would naturally not only continue the Orchestra as it is, but we would go on developing it every season to a higher quality, for in art there is no end, since, as soon as you reach the horizon which you saw a year ago, new horizons appear and new fields of beauty. The end never comes, because you are never satisfied; that is the wonderful thing about art.
“Let us in Philadelphia go forward; not backward! Let us carry this fund through.
* * * * *
“We are not asking for a fund that is raised and spent. Not a penny of the Million Dollars is to be spent; every dollar is to be invested and put away. Twenty, thirty, forty years from now it will still be there, always working, bearing interest. And only this interest is to be spent.
“Is this not a good investment for yourself, your children and your city?
“Upon this twentieth anniversary I plead for this birthday gift to the Orchestra. “LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI.”
The appeal sent to telephone subscribers ran as follows:
“THE PRESENT YOU CAN MAKE WITH TWO DOLLARS FOR YOURSELF AND CHILDREN
“A handful of people, for nineteen years, have paid all the bills of the Philadelphia Orchestra; until now the foremost artists and the leading music critics have proclaimed it to be the greatest orchestra in the United States, and one of the five great orchestras of the world.
“The expense of the orchestra is now too great for a few to continue to pay. This year the orchestra will be twenty years old, and, as a birthday present, it is now asked that the people of Philadelphia, as a whole, will make the orchestra permanent by completing its Endowment Fund, each contributing only two dollars, making it in a true sense the orchestra of the people.
YOUR TWO DOLLARS WILL NEVER BE SPENT
“It will be carefully invested, and only the interest used for the Orchestra. Your gift is, therefore, one for all the years to come: a permanent gift to a permanent institution.”
In December two concerts were given for these contributors who numbered several thousand.
When October 31st arrived and the million dollars was neither in hand nor in sight, the campaign was extended for one week. The appeals became more and more urgent.
Programme October 31st, November 1st.
“FOR LACK OF HELP THE CAMPAIGN MAY FAIL!
“Owing to a lack of sufficient workers, the Million Dollars necessary for the proper Endowment of the Philadelphia Orchestra has not been raised.
“Tired, but full of courage, those who are working have decided to extend the campaign for another week.
“Campaigns usually fail because the money cannot be had. Here the money is in sight, but the friends of the Orchestra have not come forth in sufficient numbers to collect the funds.
“Is the campaign to fail for this unusual reason?
“Will you not, man or woman, give a day, two days of this extra week to help us collect the last $250,000 necessary to complete the fund?
“You cannot, at this time, render a greater service to the Orchestra. You can, at this most critical time, do your part to
SAVE THE ORCHESTRA.”
* * * * *
“WILL YOU NOT?
“May we ask you, as a final appeal for the Orchestra, to give to it JUST ONE LIBERTY BOND of any denomination, as your contribution to save the Orchestra for yourself and the city at this critical time in its history?
“Whether you have given previously or not, will you not do this one more act?
“The Bond you give will not be sold: it will not be spent. Not a penny of it. It will be put away under a Deed of Trust, and only the interest on it will be used to maintain the Orchestra.
“Could you put a Bond in a better, more permanent place?”
“FACE TO FACE “We now stand face to face with the question whether our Orchestra is to be preserved as it is or reduced to a second-class orchestra.
“The Million Dollars necessary for its preservation have not been raised.
“The campaign will, accordingly, be extended for one week.
“But the question, after all, is—Will you give? Will you help?
“We need some $250,000 more.
“The workers have done their best. Hundreds of the friends of the Orchestra have not done their part as yet. Less than 5000 have contributed!
“Is the truth clearly realized without the mincing of words: If this remaining sum is not raised, the Orchestra must be reduced; it cannot remain the glorious thing it is today.”
“THE TRUTH IS SIMPLE AND DIRECT “We must tear down the beautiful Orchestra that has been so patiently and skilfully built up unless the Million Dollar Endowment Fund is raised. Only one week remains in which to do it. Whatever that tells is the answer.”
Finally the goal was won and the event was celebrated by a great dinner at which there was much enthusiasm and rejoicing, when it was announced that $1,100,000 had been contributed.
The twenty-eight women Chairmen expressed their appreciation of Mr. Bok’s leadership in the following letter, which was read:
“PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE OF FIFTY
“EDWARD BOK, ESQ., _Chairman_, Twentieth Anniversary Endowment Fund Campaign Committee
“Dear Mr. Bok: “The Women Chairmen of the Committee of Fifty desire to express their appreciation of your leadership as Chairman of the Twentieth Anniversary Endowment Fund Campaign for the Philadelphia Orchestra.
“The luncheons alone, as arranged and presided over by you, have been the most unique and inspiring series of affairs ever conducted in Philadelphia. But these have been only a part of your labors and a detail in the large plans which you have undertaken and carried out.
“We thank you for your unfailing courtesy toward us and for your words of encouragement at moments when the result of the battle seemed to be in doubt. Your imagination and enthusiasm have led us to victory and it has been a pleasure to co-operate with you in the important work of placing the Philadelphia Orchestra on a permanent foundation.
Yours sincerely, (Signed)
HELEN WARREN ALLEN KATHARINE E. NEWCOMET ELIZABETH H. ARNETT MARIE R. ROBINS MARY L. H. ASHTON COUNTESS OF SANTA EULALIA per E. V. W. MARETTA VERNON CARVER IRENE H. SNELLENBURG ELIZABETH CONWAY CLARK FLORENCE LEWIS SLAUGHTER MARTHA G. CRYER MARIAN M. THAYER MARGARETTA S. DIXON LOIS C. THAYER NELLIE ANDREWS GAZZAM CAROLINE CLARK WEATHERLY ALICE GRISWOLD LETITIA WHITE SALLIE HOUSTON HENRY LOUISE CHANDLER WILLIAMS CORA BAIRD JEANES FRANCES ANNE WISTER NINA LEA ADÈLE G. YARNALL HELEN C. LEIDY HORTENSE L. ZECKWER
Matinee Musical Club, CLARA BARNES ABBOTT, _Chairman_ Motor Messenger Service, NATALIE J. ELWYN, _Chairman_ Victory Dinner, Philadelphia November 10th, 1919.”
The campaign under the able leadership of Mr. Bok was inspiring and exciting to a degree. He gave time and money, but best of all, he gave ideas, and he proved himself an accomplished beggar and a clever general.
The Association was not unmindful of his masterly achievement. At a meeting of the Board of Directors held November 26th, 1919, this resolution was passed:
“WHEREAS the Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association recognize that the splendid services of Mr. Edward Bok, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra Endowment Fund, were largely responsible for the triumphant success of the Campaign,
“BE IT RESOLVED that the Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association place on record such belief, and, further, their appreciation of the energy, resourcefulness and self-sacrificing devotion with which he led the Campaign to success, together with a real expression of their regard for him.”
Also this one passed at the Annual Meeting of the Association, May 25th, 1920:
“Mr. Edward W. Bok as Chairman of the Twentieth Anniversary Endowment Fund Campaign Committee was successful, in October, 1919, in procuring from the people of Philadelphia and vicinity, a fund of One Million Dollars for the Philadelphia Orchestra. This fund, when added to the Endowment Fund of 1916, will place the Orchestra on a permanent foundation.
“In no piece of work hitherto undertaken by Mr. Bok has he shown more decided talents of leadership, executive ability and resourcefulness, than in this brilliantly executed campaign. Future generations, only, can measure the value of the establishment of a great orchestra in this city, but certain it is that the raising of this magnificent sum for music is an achievement the like of which Philadelphia has not previously witnessed.
“Therefore be it RESOLVED:
“That the thanks of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association be hereby expressed to the Chairman of the Endowment Campaign Committee, Edward W. Bok, together with our appreciation of his great service to the Philadelphia Orchestra, to the cause of music, and to the people of Philadelphia.”
Gifts ranged from one penny, given by a blind child, to $100,000. Many men and women of moderate means deprived themselves of necessities in order that the orchestra might live. Others gave time and others again gave both time and money, but never one word of regret has been heard.
The Chairman’s parting shot appeared in the programme book a week later:
November 14th-15th, 1919:
“THANK YOU!
“The Million Dollar Endowment for the Philadelphia Orchestra has been secured with the goal passed by a generous margin. The result ensures not only the permanency of the present Orchestra but the expansion of its influence.
“To each and all who worked and gave and encouraged, we extend, individually and collectively, our heartfelt thanks.
“We asked you to save the Orchestra!
“The Orchestra IS saved!
“Thank you! THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE November 14th, 1919.”
Thus the creation of an Endowment Fund was achieved by the most extraordinary campaign ever conducted in Philadelphia, and through the contributions of more than 13,000 people who wished to place a Philadelphia musical institution on a permanent foundation.
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