The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-10
REFUSED TO PLAY
Theater Orchestra Walked
Out Last Night.
CONTROVERSY With MANA6tR
Desire to Reduce the Number OF Mu-
sicians Causes Trouble in Walla
Wala Opera House.
CONTROVERSY WITH MANAGtR

music at the Walla Walla theater last
night, a piano player was substituted
by Manager Nixon. For some time
Mr. Nixon and the local Musicians
union have been IN a controversy over
the number of men that should be en-
ployed in the theater The manager
Of the house has been contending that
he had the right to cut down the size
Of the orchestra from seven to hVe
men when a show did not justify en-
ploying the entire number of music
ians This the local union disputed,
claiming that under its bylaws seven
men was the smallest number tnal
could be used. The matter was taken
up with the head officers of the Am
erican Federation of Musicians, Win
which organization the local is ami
lated.
Several days ago Secretary ii. >.
Buffum received instructions to the
effect that as the bylaws of the local
called for seven men in the theatef
the orchestra could not be reduced
Acting under the instructions from
John Cort one of the owners of the
local theater, who resides at Seattle,
Mr. Nixon demanded that only five
musicians be used last night. The
leader of the orchestra, having no al
tentative in the matter, refused to
comply with the request and the men
walked out.
H S. Buffum, secretary of the local
union said this morning regarding the
matter: when the season opened up
in the fall Mr.. Fischer, the leader of
the orchestra made a verbal contract
with the management of the theater
to furnish music for the entire sea-
son. seven men to constitute the or
cheStra Under the scale each man
was to receive $3.50 per night. with
the exception of the leader, who was
to receive price and a half This con-
tract the union considers as binding
and should be carried out to the full
spirit of the law"
In Justification of the stand taken
by the musicians, Mr.. Buffum said:
In larger cities it is a we'll known
fact that theater managers make
feature of giving their patrons the
best music that can be obtained, ana
in order to do SO put in very large
Orcheatras. They realize that no small
organization can put up as good music
as a large one and in order to sue
cessfully compete with other houses
big OrcheStras are the rule. In small
places like WaIla Walla there is no
such rivalry, and in order that the
musicians may give the patrons of the
theater enjoyable music q sufficient
number of men must be employed. 1t
is simply a matter of protection to the
20
gers were allowed to dictate as to the
number of men to be employed at each
show. it would be an injustice to those
furnishing the music. The managers
could cut down the orchestra until it
would be almost impossible to fill the
gagement If the cut made here
was done as matter of economy, |
can not see where the salary of two
men would cut much of a figure during
the short thea trical season that pre-
walls in Walla Walla. The people who
attend the theaters are certainly en-
titled to some consideration in this
matter"
In defining his position in the mat
ter of the Walllout R. ]. Nixon, local
manager of the opera house said to-
day: Il was solely guided in the mat
ter by instructions received from the
management of the house. 1t is simply
a business proposition, and the reason
for the asking of a reduction in the
number of musicians was the ques-
ton of paying expenses. 1t has never
been the intention to make a perma-
nent reduction, but in some cases it
has become necessary that the eX-
pense of music should be curtailed. l
appreciate the fact that good music
adds a great deal to a performance
and | desire to give the patrons of the
house the best that can be secured in
the city. Yet it is not a good business
proposition to PIT in a large orchestra
when the audience will not justify the
expense. AS an instance at the recent
performance of Jed Prouty, the
receipts only exceeded the money paid
the musicians by 1925. The theater
going people Of Walla Walla have de-
manded first class attractions and the
mana cement is endeavOring to furnish
them with what they want. It is a
losing proposition, however. as all the
large companies travelling require
great deal larger percentage to come
TO WaIla Walla. Most of the com
panies playing in this city allow the
house only from 20 to 80 per cent and
such shows as the Bostonians DeWolf
Hopper, and King Dodo give only Is
per cent. l have shown the books of
the house to the committee from the
local union, which was appointed to
confer with me, and they can see that
the receipts so far this season would
not Justify the employment of large
orchestra. In Spokane only five men
are used in the popular priced theaters
and in Seattle the limit is seven in the
first class houses. I think that I
should be allowed to select the number
of musicians that the business will
justify and l hope that the matter can
1 cottloa