The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-13
PLANT OF THE MUSICIANS.
Union Appeals to the President to
Come to Their Aid.

Alexander Bremen. president Of the
Musical Mutual Protective Union, made
public yesterday letter. sent By him TO
President Roosevelt, in which he said
In view Of the constant 4 verse de-
oisIons Of the Treasury Department
against the musicians of this country
who. for yeerx have protested against
the Importation OF foreign musicians.
and which again has been demonstrated
by the recent decision permitting the
landing g the Maseagni orchestra at
the port OF New York, I respectfully ap-
peal to yed on behalf of the musical pro
fession of America to aid and assist US
TO obtain a fair and just Interpretation
of the alien contract labor law IA pro-
tect the interest of our profession
Il am thoroughly convinced thft the
condition and standing Of the profess
sional musician, not only in this country.
| but throughout the world. is not under
stood at all by the authorities called
upon TO decide this question. Ever since
1880. when the late Secretary Window
rendered that arbitrary decision desig-
mating and classifying all musicians as
artists. every one Of his successors IN
office. when called on for assistance, as
the condition presented itself. has ruled
the same, TO the great detriment and
hardship of our profession. thereby de-
priving thousands Of musicians from
making an honest Irving
Would anyone cali the man who
daubs the backyard fence an artist
and place him IN the same category
with q Rubens. Murilio, kaulbach. Or
Meissonier2 stu they are both paint
ers and It would not be any more re-
diculous to apply that appellatiOn mere
than 10 apply IL 10 musicians in "eu-
eraI. even as TO the ludicrous brass
bands and roaming street musicians,
who. with their ear-spIiItlng noises. are
inficting goo7-natured and va
tient public. OF tie Hungarian gypsy
musicians. who cannot read note OF
music. but still are permitted 10 land
here frequently. in spite OF confined
protests, under the protection Of the
Treasury Department s unjust dennItton
and appenation or the word artist.
They certainly must discriminate l,e-
tween a Paderewski, Ysaye, Kubelik. Ge-
rardf. and other great and prominent
artists and an ordinary musician who
performs IN an orchestra or band. Wao
is only part of a musical organization
The ordinary professional musician
IS only fairly remunerated for his ser
vice. and has no steady employment. but
must make his living as best ne can al
teaching playing IN concerts, theafeFs-
balls parades etc Wherever engage
ment is offe. ed him ne makes bare iiy-
ing at best. and lives rom hand 10
mouth from day to day, IsGS knowing
when the next engagement may come TO
him He is certainly a wage-earner. and
as such is entitled TO protection and the
benefit of the law the same as any other
Wage-earner. He may be classed as IN
artisan, but not an artist.
The musicians have repeatedly pro-
tested against this unfair and detrimen-
tai Interpretation. Bills and memorials
have been presented TO Congress asking
for relief. and 20 properly define our
ST anding in this country as musicians,
amendments 10 the law havS been OF
/ fered by US and our representatives ap-
peared before the Congress Joint com
mittee some years ago. who prom
/ ised us speedy action in the matter, but
nothing was ever done This agitation
on our part was principally 10 prevent
( at that time the wholesale importation
I of musicians for the Worlds Fair at
I Chicago, but We were power1ess, and the
result was that while hundreds OF cheap
/ European musicians were engaged 10
/ play at the Worlds Fair, the American
musicians had to remain idle and wit
ness this unjust infringement upon their
rights and privileges as American musi-
clans.
NO doubt the same practice so dis
I astrous TO our profession. viii be re-
peated for the coming ST. Louis EXPOSE
/ tion. unless the Government Of the Unit
ed States comes to our assistance. -
! New York Times.