Long before the project of a permanent orchestra for Philadelphia received any degree of public support, the newspapers of this city in a body used their influence in favor of such an institution. Some one has spoken of newspaper life as a “career for patriots,” and surely the editors of the daily papers deserve this title, if any newspaper men do. No stone was left unturned to further the effort for a first-class modern orchestra in this city. Paid-for space announcing performances is one thing. Editorials by the column and general information, besides the work of the music critic for each paper are another. In the orchestra archives are scrapbooks filled with editorials of immense value to the cause. For the newspaper is a marvelous teacher of public taste and a molder of public opinion. What would the task have been for such a small number of people, first five, then eight, then twenty-four, to which were presently added twenty-one women, if such support had not been prompt and constant? The gallant list of newspapers, some of which no longer exist is, the _Evening Bulletin_, the _Evening Ledger_, the _Evening Telegraph_, the _Item_, _The Inquirer_, the _North American_, the _Press_, the _Public Ledger_, the _Record_, the _Times_. Not only was support given to the orchestra itself, but to the Women’s Committees in every undertaking. For this publicity the Philadelphia Orchestra is in deep debt to the Philadelphia papers. Of the music critics it can be said that they are human in their likes and dislikes, but have always been really interested and friendly. One newspaper writer must be mentioned. Mrs. Cornelius Stevenson, as “Peggy Shippen” used her clever pen to further the cause and especially the work of the Women’s Committees; and was an honorary vice-president from the beginning until her death. She was also one of the original guarantors. She was not a music critic, but in her youth she had possessed a fine contralto voice and she was a devoted music-lover. So many articles and extracts have already been given that only one more will be added in order to prove that Philadelphia newspapers and many others have been warm friends of the Philadelphia Orchestra. _Evening Telegraph_, March 18th, 1901, Editorial: “FOR A PERMANENT ORCHESTRA”