The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-18
No RESPONSE TO THE BATON.
WALTER DAMRosCH'S MUSICIANS RE
FUSED TO PLAr.

Celiist Was There. and the Orchestra
Obeyed the Union-Choer- from the Au-
sienee for D,mro-eh, His-e. for the Me,.
When Mr.. Walter Damrosch stepped upon
the stage to conduct the concert advertised to
be given by his symphony Orchestra last
night, the 800 people assembled In the Music
Hall broke into tumult Of applause. There
were many In the audience who had come to
see whether the strike ordered by the Musical
Mutual Protective Union had or would take
place in spite OF the orchestra's willingness to
play under Mr.. Damroschs leadership on Sat-
urday afternoon. When the ffty-three musi-
clans composing the orchestra filed in and
took their seats on the stage the music-lovinR
portion Of the audience settled back In their
places with sigh Of relief
Probably few among the audience noticed
that when Mr.. Damrosch walked across the
stage he was followed by a modest-looking
man, with light hair and moustache. who took
Q chair Just to the right OF the leader. The
other member OF the orchestra noticed the
newcomer. however. and glanced at one an
other He was Anton Hegner, the 'cellist, who
has not been In this country long enough to
Join the union. and with whom the other mu-
slcans have been forbidden to play by the NJ.
NJ r. U.
Acknowledging the Applause which greeted
his appearance. Mr. Damn osch stepped upon
the leaders platform. and. picking up his
baton. faced the orchestra. There were few
preliminary hourishes. then the leader raised
his hands as the signal that the orchestra
should begin.
Most OF the musicians moved uneasily in
their chairs and a few. probably from force OF
habit raised their instruments into position.
Not sound. however. broke the stiffness.
Mr.. Damrosch turned with q quick gesture
toward group OF musicians on his left Then
he raised his baton again. but the logged look
on the faces OF his fellow musicians warned
him that the crisis had come.
Il beg OF you. gentleman. to do nothing
rash; the union cannot harm you." he said in
81 low voice. Then. receiving no sign OF recog.
milton on the part OF the orchestra: Il have
beaten the first bars. gentlemen. l consider
this strike" He hesitated moment then
turning to the audience. who had remained in
breathless silence. the leader said:
Ladies and gentlemen. 1 regret that the
orchestra in not play tonight with my i'm
ported 'cclist had hoped-I beg that you
will fully understand the reason why no con-
cert will take place this evening. Those who
desire can doubtless obtain their m oney again
ut the box Office"
"Hurrah for DamroschV came voice from
the audience. In an instant the hall was In IN
uproar. Men waved their hats. and three
hearty cheers were given. Mr.. Damrosch
stepped down from the platform. hia eyes
yelled man in the front row. They were given
with redouOled vigor and many in the audience
began to crowd toward the stage. My friends"
began Mr. Damrosch. but another burst OF ap-
plause cut him short
At this point Mr.. W. +. Bates OF 40 West
Bixty-second street. a second trumpet In the
orchestra. pushed his way through his fellow
musicians and stepped to the front OF the
stage.
ladies and gentlemen" he began. the
Union Is -"
In an instant the cheering changed to Kisses.
Put him out" "Shamel Shamel" came from
all quarters OF the auditorium. Mr.. Dam
rosch raised his hand appealingly. 1t
was the signal for another burst OF
applause. under which the disco mforted
musician retreated among the other members
OF the orchestra They in turn gathered up
their instruments. and stepping aside to allow
their leader TO pass. followed him silently
through the rear door Of the stage. Seeing
that nothing more was likely to occur. the ma
jority Of the audience left. and for half an hour
afterward constantly moving line filed past
the window OF the ticket Office. A number.
however. fingered about the aisles and de-
nouncet the action Of the orchestra.
Il would never have believed that this out
rage could have taken place In New York." said
one man.s People talk about the difficulty OF
obtaining employment. l suppose this 10 q
sample" remarked another On the sidewalk
In front Of the Music Hall groups gathered
and talked the matter over Meantime Mr..
DAmrosch had pushed his way into his private
ONCE. whore he sank YEARLY in n chair
am too dazed to think" he SAID to a SYM
pathetic bystander. This has come on me
like thunderbolt"
Among the members of the orchestra a sub
dued excitement was evident. In one corner
group with their instruments under their
arms. talked In low whispers. Others dis
eussed the situation loudly in German, waving
their arms and explaining to one another that
they had only obeyed the laws Of the union.
Several OF the m musicians told a SUS reporter
that the majority OF the orchestra sympathIzed
with Mr.. Damrosch.
You see." said one. we had no choice, We
gave in to him on Saturday and no should
have considered us tonight and not allowed
AsgnsT to Rs We s 6Sd $40 essh for
plight, and for the third time expulsion from
siIcSmsfs sogiH net pay under the
with our leader"
am too much cut up to talk clearly Onth Is
played, and the general sentiment was that
either the union could not do anything against
them or that the orchestra could hold mo re-
sponsihle for any fines imposed on them. | |
sams tonight. expecting that the orchestra |
that the union was not in a condition TO en- |
ioIcs such an obnoxious law in the face Of my |
the season AGAINST musicians who had "a good |
eontIae, wlth US Tor twenty-hye weeks A good |
some OF the principals lost courage, and 10 INV |
AstonishmentA committee came 10 me iust /
before the concert, saying that they could mot |
go against the wishes Of the union and asking !
me to prevent Anton HeRner from piayin0
until after the next meeting The musicians
said they would make every effort 70 have MIN
brought into tho union. / told them L
could not do this: IL was too late
70 come to me with such a proposition.
i tOld the men at fridays rehearsal that
Hegner would play | considered II prin-
eiple and after the concert yesterday thought
things would right themselves.
The action OF the orchestra to- night came
upon me- with crushing surprise. ! cannot |
cay what shall do. have resolved, however
10 put any man whom Think iii into my or.
ehestra. | may never DO able 10 lead an
orchestra In New York again. where l have
spent my time and money building up these
cOnceTtA"
Mr. Bamroseh said that q COMMITTEES from
the orchestra won't 10 Mr. HeunaF ard O6a-ed