Evening Star Newspaper, April 25, 1931, Page 4

THE EVENING - SEARY WAL w0yt TRIBUTE IS PAID | TOMRS. COOLIDGE Dr. Putnam, at Music Fes- tival Program, Reads Trust Fund Board Praise. Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, founder and inspiration of the foundation which bears her name, was given an ovation after the graclous tribute which the Library of Congress trust fund boatd paid her in a “minute” adopted Thurs- day and read last evening Ly Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress and sec- retary of that board. The occasion was the second in the series of concerts which form the fifth an*ual music festival in the auditorium bl't by Mrs. Coolige for these concerts. Mr. Putnam asked the privilege of & minute from Ossip Gabrilowitch, who c-nducted the small orchestra last eve- ning, saying that six years ago a private citizen “induced a Government, com- placent in the efficiency of its opera- tions, to adopt & new role” and “she herself provided the resourees for giv- ing them practical effect. She ¢id all this without organization, witlious the exefcise of any political influence—-did it single-handed. (That is hez habit —aexcept when she gives, she givie with beth hands)” Reads Board's Action. Mr. Putnam then read the “fiinute” adopted by the board, of which Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury, is the chairman, and which follows: ““The anniversary, this month, of the organization of this board has caused its members to reflect upon the cir- cumstances of its creation and the growth and significance of the projects with which its responsibilities are asso- ciated. Among them none stands out in relief or affords greater satisfaction in the retrospect than the Elizabeth Sprague Coqlidge Foundation in Music, today initiating the fifth of its annual festivals. The prospect of the founda- tion was & main motive in the creation of the board itself: the custody of the endowment for it has been a high privi- lege, and its example has inspired other endowments _since received for other pu . The operations under it have not merely been important in them- selves, but have influenced efforts at Jarge similar in their aims—to uphold musical standards, encourage composi- tion and performance and cultivate ap- preciation of the art in its most refined expressions. The exercise of such a trust has added notably to the service and prestige of the library. “The board feels that at this con- clusion of the six years of the enter-) rige, there is every reason for renew- g to Mrs. Coolidge the warm acknowl- edgments of the Government and of the public for a benefaction so lofty in its purpose, so sagaciously conceived, and so generously bestowed. (Bigned) A. W. MELLON, Chairman. Attest: HERBERT PUTNAM, Secretary.” Mrs. Coolidge Replles. Mrs. Coolidge, who had been warmly welcomed with spontancous applause by the audience earlier in the program, made her way to the platform while the members of the orchestra, assembled sounds upon their instruments and the entire audience rose to its feet. She was deeply affected and gracefully accepted the tribute, saying that her life ambition had been realized in this foundation and she felt that her desire to encourage composition and perform- ance of the best in music could and would be best .carried on through this channel. It whs a gracious act well carried out. Ossip_ Gabrilowiich = carried off the honors last evening im this third con- cert of the three-day festival of cham- ber music, appearing in a double role of conductor of .and player in the “small orchestra” which gave the pro- gram. The chamber orchestra was composed of members of the New York Philharmonic ~ Symphony Orchestra, Paal Grummer and Otto von Koppen- hagen playing the violas da gamba in some of the numbers. The first number was a spmphony in G major, written by Prederick II, King of Prussia, who lived from 1712 to 1786. It was given its first performance in America last evening. The composi- tion was written for “small orchestra and cembalo,” and 28 men formed the orchestra while Mr. Gabrilowitch played a piano specially constructed in imita- tion of an eighteenth century cembalo. ‘The instrument has a sustaining pedal, 8 tone like that of the harpsichord with more richness in the bass. The flute was particularly beautiful in the solo parts and the conductor, who was re- called several times, had the p'ayer acknowledge the applause as he did the entire orchestra. Bach Number Crisp. John Sebastian Bach’s “Brandenberg” concerto No. 6 in B flat major, which was composed in 1721, was played next by 14 players including only violas. viclas da gamba, violoncello, bass and cembalo. Typlcally Bach, the number wag played with clear, crisp technique. characteristic of Mr. Gabrilowitch the pianist, the attacks, as in th> other numbers, clear, and the phrases well rounded, artistically finished and ex- quisite!v shaded. Joseph Haydn's Symphony in € Major for the orchesira was delightful, Mr. Gabrilowitch appearing in the single role of conductor. He brought out the infectious rhythms and made the most of them Two-thirds of the program consisted of examples of eighteenth century music and the closing composition was from the pen of Ottorino Respighi, Italian composer, still living. “The Gl Uceelli,” as the composition is called, | is scored for “small orchestra.” and Mr. Gabrilowitch played the celesta and also conducted. Mr. Respighi has selected seventeenth century compositions con- taining bird calls, arranged them for orchestra and made a colorful and delightful program piece. “La Gallina.” the hen, from the original of J. Ph. Rameau, is based on the cackle of a barnyard hen, and evinced much Jaughter from the audience. Colomba,” the dove, and ‘Il Coccu, cuckoo, were equally discriptive and charming. though Usignuolo,” the nightingale, did not strike so responsive | a chord, perhaps because the bird is less familiar. Holle's Madrigal Singers, Dr. Hugo Holle, conductor, will make’ their debut in this country ‘at the last concert in the festival, which will be given this evening. —K. B, ACTOR KILLS WIFE AND SURRENDERS La the Ieander G. Stepp Walks Into Police After Choking Mate. By the Assoctated Press NEW YORK, April 25.—Leander G. Stepp, an actor, walked into the Mercer street police station yesterday and told the desk sergeant he had just killed his wite, Police went to his room in the Bt. George Hotel off Jower Fifth avenue, and found the body. Mrs. Stepp had been chcked to death. After 30 minutes’ questioning the detectives said Stepp told them his wife had been constantly nagging him about money. Etation Sackett Sails for U. S. BREMERHAVEN, Germar”, (/P).—Frederic 1. Eackett, United Ambassador 11 Berlin. sniled York on “the ‘liner Aoril | 25 Etstes From the Front Row Reviews and News of Waal‘nington'a Theaters. “Bachelor Apartment” Has Few, if Any, Lonely Moments. OWELL SHERMAN is a smooth, polished and un- agressively finished actor, whoseevery word one is tempt- ed to smile over—whether it is funny or not. And so he makes the most of “Bachelor Apartment,” in which he appears at Keith's Theater, and does better by it than it real- ly_deserves. For served up again—and rather over- warmed this time —is that fable of the rich young man, whose life is one round of stocks and bonds and fem- inine accesso- Ties, who event- ually becomes tamed by his sweet young secretary and is safely carried away by her to the Lowell Sherman. which is enjoyable, not by any means over- powering, is notable, not only for the silken acting of Mr. Sher- man, who incidentally directed himself in it, but also for the re- appearance of the pulchritudinous Mae Murray—to our way of think- ing, the cinema's greatest washout. Now that Miss Murray's voice has been resurrected, she is even more s0. Although she stands around coyly with bended knee and revolv- ing eyes, and & mouth that does nothing but twitch. she somehow faills to fill the bill. Despite the fact that her role is satirical, one cannot help thinking that the lady also is a trifle foolish in her own right. However, on coming out of the theater loud voices were heard to say “Well, dear old Mae is as thin and lovely as ever, isn't she?” So perhaps she is—and perhaps we were too young in the “as ever” days to remember her rightly, and thus say “nay.” The others in the cast seem es- pecially good. Irene Dunne is swec as the young girl who proves to *%'m” that the best things in life are free; Charles Coleman is splendid as the butler who enter- tains his lady friends in the pantry with small champagne Junches, and the blonde girls and the villains are all adequately intelligent. E. de 5. M. film, “Doctors’ Wives™ Combines Science and Romarice. SUCCFSSF’UL surgeons who may be imposed upon by too many pa- tients have their domestic misfor- tunes unfolded in the film “Doctors” ‘Wives,” which is shown at the Fox Theater. Fate is represented, in this instance, as mixing matters with feminine elements that do not attach to the home. On the pictorial side, the production furnishes a back- ground of laboratory apparatus, hos- pital equipment, a clinical scene dur- ing a difficult operation, and all the other details cf professional life dealing with matters of life and death. Credit may be given to author and producer for unusual skill in reliev- ing the tension of & double triangle with excursions into the realm of medical sclence, and then livening the seriousness cf scientific routine with the exciting incidents of a threatened wreck of a romance which has hardly passed the honeymoon stage. The combination is new, and is developed with a rapidity which makes the picture, at all points, a contribution to good entertainment with emotional value. Warner Baxter, as the successful surgeon whose marital decisions are made with the speed of an office in- terview, is well cast, both for the man of skill and for the brisk young husband of outstanding sensibilities. Joan Bennett, the bride, meets the requirements of the woman who is chosen from a large.field of candi- dates, and bas the facial qualities to impart the devastating effect of a threatened separaticn. Victor Var- coni as Dr. Ruyter presents a dis- tinctive character of great sincerity, and is an undisputed factor in giving strength to the plot, which holds much of value for intelligent observ- ers. Cecilia Loftus arouses interest as Aunt Amelia, and those who re- member her great achievements on the stage will find a reflection of high talents in her part in the film. Others in the cast are Helene Mil- lard, Paul Porcasl, Nancy Gardner, John St. Polis, George Chandler, Violet Dunn, Ruth Warren, Louise Mackintosh and Willlam Maddox. Four solcists from “the Roxy Gang” mak= a visit to ' Washington in “Songs of Yesterday and Today." ‘Thelr contribution to the program is musically appreciated, while added pleasure is given by their appearance in person. They are Dorcthy Githens, Adelaide De Loca, Harold Clyde Wright and John Griffin, with Helen Andrews as accompanist. Fanchon and Marco's “Gondoliers”™ idea is an artistic combination of scenic effects and brilliant ccstuming, while the incidental acts of skill in various lines are by the Romeros, Ben Ali's Blue Devils with Slayman Ali, Jasslips Richardson, Moro and Yaconelli and the chorus of dancers. }'n» Newsreel offers the latest sub- jects. |TERM OF 15 YEARS GIVEN IN McCRORY ROBBERY {had a criminal record, was sentenced yesterday by Justice Peyton Gordon in Criminal Division 1 to serve 15 years in the penitentiary for complicity in the robbery at McCrory Stores August 7, last. Swann was convicted after he had claimed an alibi and had called Henry Mechelinski, more, Mechelinski, who is serving a term of five years for the robbery, surprised Swann’s counsel with the statement that Swann was present and actually participated in the hold-up of two clerks who were on the way to the bank _with $1,200. Assistant United States Attorney Irving Goldstein con- ducted the prosecution. also from Balti- | | | D.. C;' SBasvauraY, PARK PROTECTION CAMPAIGN URGED Lieut. Butler Suggests Citi- zens Aid in View of In- creased Vandalism. To meet the countless acts of van- dalism in the city's parks, public- minded groups should inaugurate & “protect-the-parks” campaign, in the opinion of Lieut. F. B. Butler, assistant director of public buildings and public arks. Lieut. Butler today suggested the new campaign on the heels of an increasing number of complaints reaching his ears daily. While the park police are charged with the protection of the parks, they can appréhend only a per- centage of the ‘violators. Lieut. Butler pointed out that even with favorable court action, penalizing the culprits, the damage has already been done. As instances of the day's grist, Lieut. Butler culled out thes A plum tree in bloom near Q street bridge was stripped of its flowers. The plot of ground around the Gar- fleld statue, on Maryland avenue near the Capitol, had been newly reseeded, but this did not prevent an automo- bile from running across it. Flower beds at Hains Point, in East Potomac Park, were trampled on, and automobiles had run over them. In Montrose Park, in Georgetown, two tennis courts, made of clay and Alton Swann, Baltimore, Md., who |newly graded and arranged for the coming season, were walked across. leaving footprints nearly a half foot deep in the soil. The assistant director asserted that there are dozens of instances of van- dalism reported each morning to Frank T. Gartside, chief of the park division of the Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks, by his foremen. “In Washington's beautiful park sys- tem we have no ‘Keep Off the Grass' signs” Lieut Butler asserted. “The public is given unrestricted use of the parks, but as a result the parks get un- restricted abuse.” Britain has announced that it will not try to “catch up” with countries which have greatly increased their ex- penditures on air armament WoobpwaRrD & LoTHRrROP 10717 awp & Stareve Time to Have Your Screens and Awnings Made to Order Warm weather is already here—and your porch, the windows in your new home, your Summer cottage—will need new screens and awnings. Have them made to order in our Manufacturing Division—modernly equipped to supply you with superior screens and awnings. 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