The evening times., 1899-01-13
MUSIC THAT HATH NO CHARM
Many People Vote Street-Orsan Pro-
fessOrs Nuisance.

feskOrs a Nuisance.
Washington has been afflicted with the
grip beyond its share this winter and ii
seems that the city might, in the way of
partial compensation, have been spared
from the tortures Of an unusually prolific
crop of street pianos.
The street piano has become a rampant
nuisance Individually and in tune the
instrument is not unbearable, but col
lectively and in need of repairs it is an
abomination.
There has been great deal of bad
weather this winter, but the piano organ
has survived it, and continues through
snow and sleet to pour it's almost deafen-
ing falsetto upon the air.
Despite rain or snow, the dispenser of
its aural wares insists upon monotonous
repetition of his repertoire on every street
corner.
1t Is not to be denied that the street
piano is great favoTite especially among
those who are not gifted with musical
ear that can comprehend anything
above the level of "A Hot Time in the Old
Town Tonight" or Throw Him Down Nc
Clusky"
There are i'll Washington more than
few individuals whose employment keeps
them out during the night and VINO
compelled TO WOO Morpheus in the early
hours of the day These are complain ng
in numbers that the constituencies street
piano man stations himself in front Of
their places of domicile when they are
endeavoring to rest and grinds out all
the popular airs of the day with reient
less persistence. His visit is almost d =
urnal, and in consequence there are many
people who are getting very little s.eep
in these days Of the grip and the street
piano
Complaints are becoming numerous, e5-
pecially since there are so many inyaiids
throughout the city, grip patients and
sufferers from disorders peculiar 10 the
season. To one who is i'll and in bzd the
street piano is not a delight.
One of the most disagreeabie features
| OF the street piano nuisance is the evi-
dent competition Of those who possess
! the disturbing instruments. At times,
| there are from two 10 four OF them within
| the distance of a few squares, all render
| ing different selections and making
tumble of sounds that would irritate any
one except an ardent adnirer Of the Wag-
merriam brand.
IL is said that most of the manipulators
of the piano-organ crank wear cotton In
their ears, but the accuracy OF this state
ment is not vouched for.
Something should be done, says the
sensitive part of the public, TO suppress
the street piano or keep IT from assemo-
| ling in numbers and torturing all wltnln
! hearing distance.
One of the sufferers has written letter
| 10 the District Commissioners. asking
| that steps be taken to abate the nuisance
| and seeking information concerning the
rights OF the people over these itinerant
musicians.
| He was informed that they are requir-
| ed TO secure permits 10 perform in this
! city, no charge being made for the per
, init. The granting of permits is left en-
/ tirely to the discretion of the Chief of
! Police and he allows about forty in all
! This includes the street bands, the tTios
performing on the harp violin and flute,
the hand organs and the street pianos
| The number of permits issued is never
allowed 10 exceed forty and il is now up
I TO the tcp-notch. When il is brought
| to the attention of the police that the nlu-
! sic causes real annoyance an embargo is
| placed on the street from which the COM
! plant emanates and no musicians are al
| lowed TO circulate in that neishborhood.
| The law requires that the musician shall
| not perform between the hours OF . p. N.
/ and 9 a. m. but there are some who COM
mence work much earlier than =. m.
/ The police department has been In receipt
| OF many communications from various
! sections of the city regarding the playing
| of these instruments and the officials have
! said several times that they will do what
! ever the property owners think best re-
! garding the revocation of certain Of the
/ permits and the restriction of the terrific
1 ~ through which the musicians are al
| lowed 10 peddle their airs. a majority OF
| the residents of any particular square may
! sign petition asking for relief and send
/ il to the Chief OF Police who will provide
! remedy. However. many people refuse
/ 10 sign such paper although they are in
/ favor of the suppression of the music nui-
sance. They do not desire to go on record
| as having said something that will de-
prive some deserving person of the means
I of making a living.