New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-06
TO KEEP OUT SOLOISI'S.
Union Plans Legal Action IN Pitts
burg Orchestra Fight.

Pittsburg, May 5.-The Pttsburg Orchestra Is
threatened with disruption that bids fair TO anect
all other large permanent orchestras or the couh-
try Labor troubles and opposition TO the methods
of Emil Paur are said to be the main cause or the
present difficulties, and acute has the dissension
become that the orchestra is without manager
and all attempts to fill the place which George H.
Wilson has held for ten years have failed
Luigi Won Kuntz and Henry Bramsen, the Gel
list, have resigned refused to sign contracts for
another year, and with the announcement that
Herr Paur will sail for Europe on TUESDAY where
he will engage other soloists. the members OF the
local musicians have declared that the WhoIe
matter will be laid before the international League
of Musicians which convenes at Cleveland on May
Z A request that the contract labor law be IN
voked will be made
1t is asserted that charges of a character TO call
for the Intervention of the United States authorl-
ties will there be made against Herr Paur.
w L. Mayer, president of the musicians -organi-
cation said that Herr Paur had asked that he be
allowed to bring several players to America ms
statement Herr Paur confirmed, but he would not
discuss the situation further.
There is an influence at work TO destroy the Or
chestra those interested in it's welfare allege and
they point to the fact that Herr Paur has been
unable to engage the concertmeister OF the lateIS
of Won Kunitz. and that he has met with similar
refusals in New York. Philadelphia and engage
1t stated that the principal cellist OF the Theo
dore Thomas Orchestra refused an offer to sue
feea reeeny nd@ BY the League
Musicians. All these matters will be thrashed out
at the meeting in Cleveland.
Half of the members of last seasons orchestra
said be holding out their signatures to con-
Eight players of violins. five OF ceHoS two
of trombOnes. one of the trumpet. one OF the cor
and of the flute have refused to sign
The trouble was brought to Il focus when Herr
Paur wrote to the president OF the local musicians
union asking to call him at his hotel. Herr
Paur is said TO have received rather curt an
swer. attention being called to the fact that he
had publicly said that he would bring musicians
from Vienna, and that this move would be resisted
through the United States authorities. Herr Paur
was told by the head of the musicians union that
he would have to do business IN this country and
that II any discussion to be had II would have
he in the office Of the union.
The outcome of the difficulties will be watched
with interest for several reasons Among these
the effect any ruling action of the Interna-
tional League of Musicians may have other or
chestras. Herr Paur's prominence in the musical
world abroad and this side of the Atlantic and
the Affiliations OF the Pitsburg Orchestra with the
Carnegie Institute.
At the Hotel Savoy Mr.. Paur said last night that
his relations with Mr.. Mayer of the union, were
most friendly. and that he expected trouble. as
he trying to get good musicians here. He
added that he did not know the concertmester Of
the Cincinnati Orchestra and had made no efforts
TO engage him. but that he had in contemplation
the engagement Of the 'celllst OF the Theodore
Thomas Orchestra I'm Chicago. He repeated his
assertion Of Saturday that the prospects Of the
orchestra better than