The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-12
THE MUSICIANS STRIKE.
The Musical Mutual Protective Union.
CARD TO THE PUBLIC.

The Musical Mutual Protective Union.
CARD TO THE PUBLIC.
me difficulty now existing between the theatrical
managers and the musicians be misunderstood
by the public at large, who, Judging from the crowded
state of these places Of amusement appear to take
interest In H. thus tacty encouraging the rnanagers'
combination In their endeavors withhold a fair re
munerston from large number Of sheir employees IL
cannot DO denied, think that the members OF the
musical profession. class Justly claim the re-
spect and support of tho community large for they
materially contribute, by their genius and untirpg In
dustry, TO cater 10 the entertainment Of those who
palronize places Of public amusement We are satisfied
that unvarnisbed and candid statement the
which induced them 10 demand fair remuneration for
their services land that is all they ask given to tho
pnbcthc verdict o the people which always the srber
OF Justice aud humanity, would be unanimously opposed
TO the despotic action OF set Of who have combined
h their endeavors 10 forward their selfish interests
regardless OF the claims OF too generous public This
''close corporation Of rapacous theatrical directors
affords smother striking illustration ~ q truth which IN
familiar TO the working class by bitter experiencevz
that capital is almost invariably combined against labor
In the light OF this truth believe that ask
ing too much OF sborng men Of every class 10 stand by
the musicians and support them their Just demands
for fair remuneration for their seryices
The public have only heard and read one side u the
question: the press body, with FEW exceptions, has
taken sides with the managers, and the only avenues
through which tho public could be made acquainted
with the facts OF the have beeB closed against them
1882 for tho purpose of protecting the members and their
interests such society long having been needed pro-
tec the profession from mposos who had entered It's
ranks and by dint Of smart management had the bust
al in their own hands, and paid the performers
whatever they at; oftenimes pockeng the amount
due the musicians for their whole engagement 1f
member OF band orchestra complained he was SUI
pended excluded from tho business altogether:
that many musician had quietly TO submit 10 every i'm.
position which the dishonest leader might az 10
pose upon him. to receive bare pittance, SUM-
cicst 70 sustain life We mention theatre where
the musicians received only four dollars and sixty
cents per week, and even that miserable sum not
paid with due regularity
The managers have considered contracts
binding, and when their business has been bad
they have always reduced the number and the salaries
Of mer musicians.
The statement that the musicians had given but very
short notice which has been frequently made by the
managers lately in reference 10 the desire of tho
musicians that they should submit their demands NJ
once IL ni true One " the managers alleges that he
received but fifteen minutes notice 10 aceede 10 the de
uands OF HE orchestra This grossly
tIon inasmuch he had received ten days notice and
besides this, at meeting OF the Musical Protective
Union held IN July last resolution introduced by
member demanding increase OF salary which. after
considerable debate, laid on the table As tins fact
made known at once the managers have had ample
notice Of the present strike as well ~ time to acccde TO
the just demands OF the musicians
The public have tamey submitted TO an unwalranted
rise in the price 81 admission which asked by the
managers 'phc enormous increase in their ex.
peDsesn and yet they pretend with all this that they
cannot pay the musicians their just demands notwith
standing the largely ncrcased receipts attendant
Union, their old employees, that they cannot possibly
their demands Tor $40 per week and yet they adj
vertse for and pay readily from $50 10 $40 per week 10
musicians outside this association.
The present strike by no means of a national char
acter that IT, belongs to no particular nationality hut
IN purely involving fair and Just demand for pay
ment for services faithfully rendered by the
musical profession who organized into a
Mutual Protective Association ne before stated
A this organization numbers In its ranks mem
bers Of all Dationaties, no such denomination can
be attached to the strike The society Is large
prosperous one, embracing from eleven hundred to
twelve hundred membcrs In OF sickness or want
among any the members relief s always Afforded from
tho treasury Tho cry OF monopoly for any particular
class OF cannot here be raised an one dollar on
trance Zee all that In asked to become member of
this uDion and surely emigrsnt musician can object
20 this AZ an sxorbitaDt admission fee.
70 those Of the profession OF this city Philadelphia
Boston, Baltimore and elsewhere, who have been soil
cited 10 sccept nm engagement by the Now York
ayers the large salaries offered just now we would say
beware Of conndng 10 any such promises mr. they are
sde but 10 bc broken, and the makers will unite
70 crush you down moreover you guilty Of great
Injustice 10 your brother members OF the musical profess
sion, who are now being supported the expense Of the
hasIcal Protective Union.
JBR gyECUTIyE COMMITTEE or rHE
gElA4 RgQLNTlW UNION