Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-09
MUSIC AT THEATERS
TROUBLE WITH UNION AMI
LAFAYETTE ORCHESTRA.
General Strike Not Probable, but
Leader johnson No Longer
Carries a Card.

ouite n stir WAS accustomed this morning
in local theatrical and labor circles by the
published report Of the probability OF an
Immediate strike of the union musicians OF
the various playhouses. The situation was
found to be less alarming than was at hrst
supposed. The managers, with one excep-
ton were found to be practically ignorant
of any such alleged proposed action on the
part Of the members of the local union OF
American Federation OF Musicians.
Investigation developed that the Lafay-
cite Opera House Is the only theater con-
cerned in the matter. And. further. that
the difficulty involved Leader Victor john
son and not Manager La Motto. AS re-
suit of the difficulty Leader Johnson sew
cred his connection with the union, and
practically new orchestra has been installed
at the theater.
The report that a general strike is about
to be inaugurated apparently gained rise
from the fact that the local union OF mu-
scians several weeks ago informed the
leaders of the various Orchestras that the
scale Of wages for union musicians playing
in the theaters would be increased from Sl5
to SIS per week next season. The matter
is now under consideration by the man
ayers, and a conference between them and
the union officials will be held this week,
at which the conferees are expected to ar
rive at an amicable agreement.
The situation at the Lafayette Theater is
said to be rather peculiar. 1t appears that
the constitution of the union includes a
section providing that the members playing
In theaters who are laid off a week because
the current attraction carries its own must
can aggregation shall receive one-half
salary. The local union also has a summer
scale, which was placed In the constitu-
ton last August and which provides that
for work in summer opera season musi-
clans shall receive the sum of 1850 per
week.
According to Manager Lamotte, he was
not informed of the increase in the rate for
summer work until last Saturday evening.
At the same time, he was also informed
ploy a half weeks salary for the week
they were laid off owing to the presence
of the minstrel show, which carried Its
own orchestra
Thought Demands Unjust.
Manager Lamotte says he was not In
formed of the matter until the eleventh
hour. He thought the demands OF the
union was unjust, and, believing that
strike would be inaugurated, instructed
Leader Johnson to procure the services
Of other musicians. Mr.. Lamotte further
states that he had no contract with the
union musicians that stipulated that he
should pay them half salary for weeks
during which they rendered no services,
and that he does not intend to grant an
Increase in pay for summer work. 1t was
also stated that three members of the
union, in addition to Leader Johnson, had
resigned from the union. full orchestra
was rehearsing at the playhouse this
morning, and Mr.. LamOtte said the theater
would not suffer on account OF the dimculty
with the union musicians.
President Kerngood is said to admit that
the union has no contract with Manager
Lamotte. He says, however, that the union
holds contracts with the various leaders,
who although members of the union, are
agents of the managers, and that 1t was
Leader JohnSonS place to inform Manager
Lamotte that he would have to pay the mu-
sicians half salary for the week lay-on at
the time of the engagement of the minstrel
show. President Kerngood also says the
increased rate for summer opera work was
made known last August, and that Leader
Johnson should have informed Mr.. Lam0tte.
Mr.. Kerngood said further that Leader
Johnson admitted to him, in the presence
of Manager Lamotte, that he had failed to
notify the latter of the increase in pay for
summer work or the fact that Manager
airy to the musicians who were laid of
week by the engagement Of the minstrel
show.
President Kerngood declares that the
union has a grievance with Manager La
motto only indirectly, and that Leader
Johnson is responsible for the difficulty.
The union charges Leader Johnson with at
tempting to secure the services of the
union musicians at a lower rate than the
mer season at the Lafayette Theater and
at Cape May. President Kerngood says
Leader Johnson failed to deny the charges
made against him.