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.