Evening star., 1901-12-30
Misrepresentation Regarding lst Ar
tillery Band
COMPLAINT OF MUSICAL UNION
Claimed That Civilians Were Un-
fairly Underbid.
THE FACTS IN THE CASE


with the Musical Labor Union with respect
to the employment of military bands in
private service, similar to the trouble the
Navy Department is having with a similar
organization with regard to the Marine
Band.
Under date Of November % last, Mr.. John
Mitthauer, secretary of the Musical Mutual
Protective Union, New York city, addressed
letter to the Secretary Of War, making
strong protest against the employment Of
the 1st Artillery Band by the South Caro-
lima interstate and West Indian exposition
at Charleston, S. c. He alleged that the LIST
Artillery Band is in open competition with
civilian musicians. and that lowing to the
condition and circumstances of the army
bands, they can be engaged far below the
remuneration asked by the civilian mu-
sicians, who depend on such occasions as
the Charleston exposition TO earn a liveli-
hood
The Musical Unions Complaint.
Mr.. Mitthauer said further: I'VE do not
think it right and just that an army band
which is housed, fed and clothed besides
receiving pay from the government, should
be allowed to compete with the civilian
who must earn his bread and support his
family by performing at such occasions
as above mentioned. The opportunity Is
taken from MIN Dy allowing eHllSteO HleI
to leave their respective posts at which
they are stationed, and take away what
business there might be which the citizen
ought TO do. An order was issued by the
War Department SOME years ago, to abate
the wrong. but said order has been dis
regarded BY the cOmmandants of the re-
spective posts, especially In New York har-
Dor. We, therefore, protest against this
sistance and stop the injustice upon our
citizens who depend on musical perform
ances for living.
THE managers of the Charleston exposi-
tiOn have sought to engage members of the
Musical Mutual Protective Union of New
York city and estimates were forwarded
said managers, but no engagement was
made. Now ii is plain that the list Ar
tillery Band, having no responsibility, nor
care, no taxes to pay, no nothing to worry
about, agreed to play at the exposition at
Charleston for less money than any civil
ian band could be engaged for in any part
of the United States. Said band is we'll
able TO play at reduced prices under the cir
cumstances, and even give Its service
gratuitously for the enjoyment of little
respite Il ON military routine and duty, and
for good time in general. The 1st Ar
tilIery Band has been engaged, agreed to
leave its post and duty, for which the
country is paying it, and to furnish the
music at Charleston exposition, to the det-
riment of professional musicians and citi-
gems, for the period of six weeks commenc-
ing December 1, 1901. word from you
will change these conditions throughout the
country. and We know You will give 1t, and
by doing so will earn and receive the bless
ings of every civilian musician in the
land
Resulting Correspondence.
This letter was productive of considerable
correspondence by the War Department
with the exposition authorities and with
General Brooke. commanding the depart
ment of the east 1t appears that the ap-
plication for the services of the band at the
exposition was granted by the Secretary Of
War after it had been approved by Gen
eral Brooke. The 1st Artillery Band Is sta
TONED on Sullivan's Island in Charleston
harbor 1t was expressly provided that
it's engagement by the exposition author
tiles should be without expense to the
United States and should not be allowed to
Interfere with the regular duties of the
band.
Why the Band Was Engaged.
Mr.. ]. c. Hemphill, manager of the de-
partment of promotion and publicity of the
Charleston exposition, under date of
Charleston, December IA, replied to Lieut.
Leigh Sypher. adJutant, at Sulivan's
Island, s. c., as follows:
Il. The First Band Artillery Corps is
now under engagement at the exposition be-
cause it performs the kind of music spe-
eially desired by the management.
2 The question of price not the
moving consideration in the engagement of
this band. number of other bands having
offered much lower rates for the service
which is now being performed by this band.
3. The question as to the engagement of
this band was considered as a question to
be adjusted between the band and the ex-
position management rather than in the
light of bid in competition with other
musical organizations.
-. The First Band Artillery Corps should
not be regarded as having been in compe-
tition with other bands as far as this en-
gagement is concerned.
- No specific advertisements for bids
for the music for the exposition were made
All the bids for engagements here came
from the musical organizations throughout
the country, without solicitation from the
exposition mana cement No offer to fur
nish music for the exposition was made by
the First Band Artillery Corps until 1t had
been requested by the exposition manage
ment to make an offer.
IS. The present engagemen of the First
Band Artillery Corps was made by the ex-
position company, because ii suited the ex-
position company TO make this engagement
with this particular band for reasons Of
their OWE, and not because the price was
above or below that of any other organiza-
tion.
=. The managers of the exposition at
charleston have not at any time sought to
engage the members OF the Musical Pro-
tecttve Union, as such.
Trusting that l have been sufficiently
dennite in my statements as to the eneapa-
ment of the First Band Artillery Corps and
thanking you for the opportunity of pre-
senting the matter as 1t appears to those
charged with the engagement of this hand
i am, etc"
Misrepresentation of Facts.
The action of the War Department ia
shown in letter written to Mr.. John Mill
hauer, secretary Of the Musical Mutual
Protective Union, New York city. a few
days ago. of which the following is a COPY:
The department has looked into the mat
ter complained of in your letter Of the I'D
ultimo to the Secretary of War. In which
you state that the First Artillery Band has
secured the contract from the exposition
authorities at Charleston, g. c.. in open
competition with civilian musicians: that
the managers of the Charleston exposition
sought to engage the members of the
Musical Mutual Protective Union Of New
York city, which forwarded estimates but
Tailed to secure the engagement for the
reason that the First Artillery Band agreed
to play at the exposition for less money
than any civilian band could be engaged for
IN any part of the United States. and |
have now the honor to inclose for your in
formation copy of a communication from
the manager of the department of promo
tion and publicity of the South Carolina
Interstate and West Indian exnos,tfon