St. Paul daily globe., 1891-09-23

association has had some difference
With the subcommittee on music ap-
pointed by the general Harvest Festi-
val committee. So much has been said
on this subject, and it having been
limited that the musicians were acting
unfairly. the Musicians association re-
quest the publication of this open letter
to the chairman of the general COM
mittee, +. j. Fhelps:
MINNEAPoLIs, Mimi, Sept %, 1S91-E.
Phelps, ESQ.,, City-Dear Sir: You are no
doubt awore that some differences exist be-
tween the committee on music for the Har-
vest Festival and the Minneapolis Musicians
association. The association having been
misrepresented, desires that the public, and
especially you as chairman, should know all
the facts. The association, realizing that the
Festival will be a great benefit to the city,
and that anything that is benefit TO the city
By unanimous vote to do all in its
power TO make it grand. success,
and, with that end in view, do
mated S25 TO the festival fund to be paid re-
gardless of whether the committee engaged
association bands or not. Contributors 10
any cause are always allowed TO use Their
own discretion as to the manner and amount
to contribute, and generally give according
to their means, so when this association DO
mated S25 to the fund and instructed It's sec
retary TO forward ckeck for tha amount 1t
felt that it had done all it could. Your sub
committee, however, does not seem to be sat
isfed with this, and has taken upon itself TO
dictate to contributor as TO manner anu
amount to contribute, demanding that for
this occasion bands should charge ABOUT
half the usual price for services rendered.
1t has been said that the recent Endeayor
convention has been a great benefit TO the
city, and certainly has been to the street rail-
way company: so was the Scandinavian sing
ing festival, and no doubt the Hervest Festl-
val will be a rich harvest for the same street
railway mpany; yet, no reduction OF 1ares
has been announced. and should 1t be re-
Quested or demanded of the company 10
make a three-cent fare, such demand or
request would be considered absurd
and unreasonable. Why, then, in the
name of justice and fairness, are the mu-
sicians requested to make such q low
rate for services honestly and faithfully per-
formed! The committee refusing TO pay
association prices. we have left them alone
and are not asking any favors. All assocla-
ton bands, so far engaged. are playing Tor
private enterprises, Notwithstanding the re-
port that DanZs band has been engaged Dy
the committee below association prices.
There is a statement made that everything
is not right with the association and tnat
they are quarreling among themselves Such
is not the case This association is consid-
cred and is one Of the strongest in the coul-
try, having the support of the entire national
league OF musicians in the United States.
We most respectfully ask that you, as gen
eraI chairman of the Festival committee,
will, with your co-workers, carefully, con-
slder these facts, and. If so, we feel sure
that you, as intelligent and fairninded men,
will agree with us when we say that the Min
neapolis laborer, as well as any other Is
worthy of his hire and should receive fair
compensation for services honestly and faith
fully performed. Yours respectfully,
THE MISNEAPoLIs MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION,
Per Committee