“The concerts were devoted to a popular benefit. They were also the means of carrying out with Fritz Scheel, leader of the amateur Philadelphia Symphony Society, a contract that he should have a public appearance with an orchestra of professional musicians. “The concerts were brilliantly successful and realized a net profit of $10,252.73. The musicians played at less than Union rates for thirty-six rehearsals and two performances, and Mr. Scheel gave his services. “The attitude of the public during these years is revealed in the fact that it seemed natural for a group of women to sponsor concerts for war heroes; but in 1904 it seemed an unheard of innovation that women should organize to further the interests of a permanent orchestra. “Many people who prize The Philadelphia Orchestra as the greatest treasure we possess, remember only too well the days when Philadelphia was dependent on visiting orchestras. Young people today have the good fortune to live in a town where an orchestra of the highest artistic standards under a leader of world-wide reputation is now firmly established. Music lovers and citizens generally, are grateful to the men and women of courage, who gave Fritz Scheel his first opportunity in Philadelphia.” “COMMITTEE OF WOMEN Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt, Chairman; Miss Harriet Buchanan, Secretary; Mrs. Frederick A. Packard, Treasurer; Mrs. C. William Bergner, Mrs. Henry C. Boyer, Mrs. Edward Coles, Mrs. Joseph G. Darlington, Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten, Mrs. Barclay H. Warburton, Mrs. Charles S. Whelen, Mrs. J. B. Sands, wife of Captain Sands, of the Naval Home; and Miss Meade, daughter of the late General George Gordon Meade. “EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MR. JOHN H. INGHAM, of the Melody Club MR. OLIVER BOYCE JUDSON, of the Operatic Society MR. EDWARD I. KEFFER, of the Philadelphia Symphony Society MR. EDWARD G. MCCOLLIN, of the Orpheus Club MR. OSCAR A. KNIPE The _Philadelphia Times_, March 30, 1900: “When Johnny comes marching home again from the Philippines he will find that the girl he left behind him has had a place in the hearts of Philadelphia matrons at least. That interest was evidenced in the first of the two widely heralded concerts in the soldiers’ and sailors’ aid, which took place at the Academy yesterday afternoon. Society turned out bravely and filled the whole of the auditorium and the balcony, but there, unfortunately, it stopped, and the upper part of the house, though the labors of the ladies interested have been unflagging and strenuous, had plenty of room.