Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-13
MUSICIANS FALL OUT
Mr.. Wilt WithdraWs His Or
chestra From the NJ. MP.U,
WAS A CONTRACT BROKEN?
A Spirited Interview Behind the
Scenes Last Evening.
OTHER ORCHESTRAS MAY FOLLOW.
The M.M.P.U. Will Hold a Meeting To-
Day to Discuss the Subject.
WAS A CONTRACT BROKEN?
OTHER ORCHESTRAS MAY FOLLOW.
NON-UEION MEN WILL PLAY BRIGANDS

The downfall of the local branch of the
Musical NJ utual Protective Union was very
strongly indicated last evening during a
very spicy interview between Manager E.
D. Wilt, of the Grand Opera House, and C.
W. Ruhe, President of the NJ, NJ. P. O., in
which Manager Wilt notified Mr.. Ruhe
that, in consequence of sundry broken con-
tracts, the Grand Opera House Orchestra
was withdrawn from the NJ. NJ. P. o., so
far as his personal adherence to the rules
and regulations of the NJ NJ. p. q. went
The small Office adjoining the greenroom
of the theater resounded with the angry
tones of the disputants, and those who paced
I'D and down between acts wondered what
could be the matter.
AN INTERESTING HISTORY.
The history of the matter is interesting.
As long ago as last Monday Mr.. Wilt was
notified that Mr.. Rudolph Aronson's
"Brigands" company would not bring any
orchestral musicians, and that he would
have to furnish &c first-class musicians. Mr..
Wilt Immediately notified President Ruhe,
of the NJ. NJ. P. O., that ten frst-claSs artists
on certain instruments were required for the
"Brigands." This notice was under con.
tract made last summer by which Mr. Ruhe
bound himself to furnish extra musicians at
any time to Manager Wilt, no matter if
the men had to come from elsewhere, the
NJ NJ. P. q. to pay all expenses and Mr..
Wilt to pay nothing but salaries. MIR.
Ruhe skirmished Monday, Tuesday aud
Wednesday, and on Thursday handed Di-
rector Schwartz, of the Grand Orchestra, a
list of musicians all local. Mr.. Schwartz
would not accept the musicians, claiming
that they were not able to play the opera
music. This assertion is easily borne out
by the testimony of other musicians, who
say that Mr.. Schwartz and anybody else
are right in saying that the Ruhe's musi-
clans were unable to play the music. Mr..
Ruhe then told Director Schwartz to en-
gage whom he pleased, and it would be all
right.
OTHER MUSICIANS SECURED.
So the genial director hustled around and
secured hornplavers Leblich and Gallwitzer;
Beekert, abOeist; Musser, bassoon, and
Freibertheiser for drums and tympan, with
a celloist and several violinists in view.
None of the above belong the NJ. NJ. P. q.
and some are even expelled members The
mere fact of playing with them would get
Director Sehwartz's men in trouble, but for
.
affairs.
Manager Wilt. however. was indignant
at Mr.. Ruhe for saddling SO much work
upon Mr.. Schwartz when there was an ex-
plicit contract in existence by which Mr..
Ruhe was to furnish the extra men. Mr..
Wilt maintained with some show of reason
that the contract has been broken. Mr..
Ruhe claimed that the Triennial Conclave
had scattered Cleveland and Cincinnati
musicians, upon whom he depended. He
stated that the furnishing of teG musicians
from Philadelphia or New York was a
financial impossibility for the NJ. NJ. P. q.
THROUGH WITH THE NJ. NJ. P.U.
Manager Wilt said that the contract, hav-.
ing been broken, he was done with the NJ.
NJ. P. q. Mr. Ruhe danced excitedly
around the Office, and said he would give
bonds to furnish so competent players by
Monday morning. Mr.. Wilt rejoined that
he was through, and Mr.. Ruhe
SAID that the Grand Opera House
matter would be attended to by the
n. NJ. P. q. at its regular quarterly meet
ing tomorrow (to-day). Mr.. Wilt said
that as far as he was concerned the NJ. NJ
P. o. would fail to speak as they passed by,
and SO the breezy interview ended with Mr.
Wilt provided for next week with Mr..
hume l0cduIlOuS allowance OF OUTSIDE
musicians for the "Brigands," and Director
Schwartz pleased to be in good shape with
an adequate orchestra assured.
Director Schwartz was asked if he had
concluded to go into the new musical union
OK. of L. } and leave the NJ NJ. P. q. He
said: 81 understand that the charter of the
new assembly has been protested and as
Master Workman II. Ratthay refused to
state Just in what shape his organization is
In we don't feel like taking leap in the
dark.
HIS TASK Is HEAVY.
The NJ. NJ. P. U. has certainly violated
its contract with Manager Wilt, and thrown
an onerous and troublesome task upon nv
shoulders but Mr.. Ruhe has absolved me
from any future complications in the matter
of securing outside musicians for this weeks
engagement"
"Whar constitutes the M. NJ. P. U.?"was
asked.
"The Grand, Bijou and Academy orches-
tras. 1t has not been able to furnish ac-
ceptable substitutes for quite while, and
am not going to allow Indifferent musicians
to jeopardIze the reputation of nv orchestra.
have heard that the Bijou and Academy
orchestras intend to withdraw, but we see no
reason why they should wait for our Or
chestrs to move. We have vigorously OBJ
served the bylaws of the M. NJ. P. o., but
if it is to be left by all its members, the
Grand Orchestra would not remain with all
the others elsewhere. believe in going
slow, and have not made up my mind what
/ will do"
AN ULTIMATUM DECLARED.
Mr.. Wilt said that he had formally with
drawn his orchestra from the NJ. NJ. P. o.,
and had notified the musicians that if they
did not desire to stick to the new regime
they could quit They were free to join any
union they pleased, but he declined to have
anything more to do with the NJ. NJ. P. O.,
either officially or personally.
il is hinted that this action of Manager
Wilt will prove death blow to the NJ. M.
P. U, especially as by his own and Director
Schwartz statements there seems to be
broken contract. An effort was made to
find Mr.. Ruhe, but he was not at his usual
haunts. and the hour was so late as to pre-
clude az extended interview upon the SUBJ
ject.