The morning call., 1893-10-30
\ UNION FIGHT.
UnorganiZed Musicians
Try to Cut Prices.
Attempt to SuppIant the Theatrical
OrcheStraS by Non. Union
Performers.

A fight is being waged between the local
musicians who belong 10 the union and
those professional PLAYERS who are unor-
ganiZed. In the present business siua-
tioD. SO many performers are out Of en-
ployment, that strenuous efforts are being
made by the ron-uuion musicians to sup
plant members by undertaking their
wages, more especially in connection with
the orchestras in the various theaters.
"Non-union orchestras have been trying
to obtain a foothold in the theaters. more
especially the smaller one." said E. E.
SchmiZ secretary of the Musicians Un-
ION. yesterday.
"rhey have offered TO work for mu ch
lower wages than are now in vogue. but
the theatrical managers have declared
In favor of fair wages and good music.
"a case in point is that of Wolcotts
band. managed by Frank Noriega. The
members of this band were dropped from
the roll Of the Musicians Union for cut
ting prices. Now they would be unable to
pass the examin alton Tor impotence pre-
scribed by the union. This band first
made overtures about week ago 10 John
G. Byrnes, the manager Of the National
Theater, who declined to make or to con-
slider any proposition from this source.
Then Noriega tried to make terms
with the Grove-street Theater. / heard OF
this move and went to see Manager
Holden. told him that it would certainly
not be to his advantage TO countenance
If he had not the right TO employ whom he
liked. ] replied that ne certainly could,
but that If he engaged these players the
members OF the Musicians Union. who
are laboring men organized for self-pr0-
lection. would appeal to all classes to
stand n with them.
1T was finally agreed that the manage
ment should give Woleott's Band a trial
and decide the question of their employ
ment solely upon their proficiency. l
asked permission to be present at the
trial rehearsal, and suggested to Holden
that he first ask the applicants to play
three selections Of their own, and then
take three compositions from the usual
programme played by the regular orches-
ira. The orchestra consisted of the piano,
violin, clarionet, cornet. trombone. basso
and drum. The regular orchestra is paid
S145 week, but Wolcott's Baud offered TO
do the work for S104.
''At the rehearsal they first played a
simple potpourri of their own. Then
Holden gave them Fausts selection, a
standard composition, which every musi-
clan is supposed to know how to play in
the dark. When they saw 1t they shook
their heads. and Noriega remarked ::
'SchmitZ gave you that; it's too difficult!
After some argument Holden said: We'll,
pick out anything that my orchestra plays.
They chose march, to be played as the
audience is dispensing. They got through
with Ii, aud then the proprietors of the
theater discussed the proposition o! the
musicians.
''Norlega gave letter to Byrnes, stating
that he would personally see every night
that the members of the orchestra are Oh
lima In, nd har A
though there would have been saving If
$40 week In the proposed arrangement,
it was declined by the management. The
same old orchestra continues to PLAY at
the same old price, aud so the Musicians
Union triumphaDtiy carried its point"