The morning call., 1894-05-04
Mr.. STRADLEY'S DILEMMA.
A Local Grievance Committee
Takes a Stand.
ALIEN BANDSMEN NOT WANTED.
It VIII Endeavor to Prevent the
Importation of Mexicans for the
Midwinter Fair.

"It is not that we question your ability
to hold your present position, but do you
consider yourself thoroughly competent to
| examine large body OF musicians as 10
their efficency?"
1t was this startling question that was
put to Walter p. Stradley, Immigration
Commissioner, by body of three stern
and determined men yesterday. Ihey
were E. E. SchmitZ, George Dewey and ID.
Harris. and together they formed the
agitation committee of the musicians
union of San Francisco.
1--WE have borne great DEAL" resumed
Mr. SchmitZ, still addressing the lmmlgra-
ton Commissioner with perfect courtesy,
but with an air of firmness that bespoke
man ready to take desperate measures.
''The Iowa band was exalted above us.
That insult we bore. S0usa's band came.
Still we said nothing. Ii other bands be-
longing to the United States had been
brought here We should have possessed
our souls in patience, but to get allen
musicians is what we will not stand" and
an affirmative movement from the other
two members of the agitation committee
showed that they were of one mind in not
standing it.
The grievance whereof the Representa-
tives of the Musicians Union complained
was one of long standing. though it only
reached its eliminating point yesterday.
They claim tha. the directOr-general has
frequently promised them adequate artistic
representation for the State of California
at the Midwinter Fair. Cassasa's band.
they say, excellent as to its artistic abli-
oia in ta ranEs Or
the reeds to coun ter balance the brass. 1t
was this fact, combined with the threat
ened Importation of the Mexican band
that prompted them to consult lawyer
and dispatch the following telegram yes
terday:
Collector of Customs, EL Paso, Tea: The
Musicians Union protest, under the contract
labor law, against the admittance OF band OF
Mexican musicians. IL impossible to retain,
pass them subject to examination here by the
immigration Commissioners.
Now, the Immigration Commissioner in
San Francisco is Walter P. Siradley, and
as the only manner in which the troup of
alien musicians can enter this land is as
artists" it will probably dsvolve upon
him to put them through rigid examina.
tiOn, tending to show that they deserve
the name, not only collectively but indi-
vdually.
1T takes a very wide knowledge of
music to hold an examination in so many
different instruments" continued one of
the agitation Committee. addressing the
Immigra tion Commissioner, not without a
certain grim satisfaction. For instance.
suppose you were examining the player of
the bass drum, how would you set to
work to find out whether he was not only
a thorough theatrical musician but also
tasteful performer? AS YOU know, the
law requires him to be both."
Gentlemen, the fact is that | am in
competent to examine a band" replied
Mr.. Stradley. with unfiinching candor.
1.-The law is my profession, and l don't
know the first thing about finding out the
capabilities of a bass-drum player. nor
any other player" As he said these words
smile of amusement stole over the faces
Of the agitation committee. 1t spread 10
the expressive countenance of the lmmi-
grafton Commissioner, and as all four
thought of the righteousness of the situa-
ton they laughed aloud.
The matter is no laughing one with the
Musicians Union. however. The greatest
lOQlRUdtiOu pIofdllS huiUuR tuC ucm UoIc,
with whom the question of having Mr.. de
Young arrested on charge of violating
the labor alien contract law has even been
mooted.
1--WE have been promised on numerous
occasions by the drector-general that the
Midwinter Fair band should be augmented
sufficiently to give California an adequate
musical representation, and instead of
that Eastern bands have been brought
here. When it comes to importing aliens
we feel that it is time to act" This is
what the men of the union say, through the
mouthpiece Of their agitation committee,
aud they are prepared to take legal means
to prevent the entry of the musicians.
There is another matter bearing on the
Mexican band that Is occasioning con-
siderable talk, though the members of the
union treat 1t in more jocose manner
than they do the importation of rivals. AS
every one knows, the Midwinter Fair
Band has worn a neat and tasteful uni
form, which is even more pleasing to the
eye than that of the Iowa State band or
he Sousa organization. The wearers of
this uniform have now received an offer
from the executive committee of So apiece
for the neither garments of their cherished
array. This has aroused the suspicious of
Cassasa's men that it is intended not only
to let the hated aliens stand in their shoes.
aphorically speaking. but also that the
executive committee actually contempates
dressing their rivals in their pantaloons.
The uniform of the Midwinter Fair band
is, they say. hallowed in their hearts by
sacred ties of memory. and it would 60
hard for money to purchase any portions
of it. Under the circumstances, Cassasa's
men proudly declare that they would pre-
fer death to accepting the So of the execu.
tive committee.
Meanwhile the action of the commits
sioner at Ell Paso is awaited with great
interest, as it is just possible that he may