The San Francisco call., 1908-12-29
Well Known Local Composer
Prepares Bill for State Board
of Examiners in Music
Object of Measure Said TO Be to
Secure Legal Recognition
for Profession
Musicians Club Declared TO Be
Strongly in Favor of the
New Scheme

II a Bill for an act proposed by Dr.
III. j. Stewart the local composer, mu-
= sic teacher. organist and Bohemian
:scIubman, is passed by the legislature at
II ne coming session all teachers of mu-
sic in the state must pay a 81 regis
3 trstion fee or be imprisoned behind
bars that are not constituted Of con-
secutlve hfths nor subject to orchestra
:aons.
in fine Dr. Stewart and his confreres
in' the Musicians club of San Francisco
are the indefatigable propagandists of
sa;Tneasure to establish state board Of
examiners ia music the function Of
which shall be duly to register all the
talent now operating in the state and 10
. test and certify all who subsequently
wish TO embark on the melodious pro-
fession. who viii pay SO for the privi-
. .lege Of being examined and who can
successfully demonstrate their ability
Ito ieaeh aspiring musicians TO sing
Paul. Dresser's masterpieces and pick
. -.osit Bach on the piano with one hand
.1ied' behind them.
j -c.lrauteurs. veterinary surgeons, law
vefs and dentists are registered in
. somewhat the same way and pass
-aRalogous tests.
~INDORSED BY MUSICIANS
. - The stewart project is indorsed by
..i.he 1aIusicians' club of San Francisco,
sthe. officers Of which are: President, H.
d. .'B. Pasmore; vice president, John Car
rngtone secretary, John Raight, and
. trustees. Arthur Weiss and H. J. Stew
art The musical section Of the Cali
sfornia club has also favorabiy consid-
'Ared the movement for licensing music
'tesS.hers and unanimously. according to
Dn Stewart, have the music teachers of
ethe state approved the idea.
The bill. in general terms, provides
first that it shall be unlawful for any
person not al the present time engaged
in the teaching Of music to begin such
instruction without first obtaining
certificate Secondly, that there be es-
tablished a board Of examiners in mu-
sic, consisting of seven members, ap-
pointed by the governor. That al
teachers of music at present in the
stare must, within six months. register
with the examiners. paying q fee Of 81
Such failure to register would in jig
time subject the derelict artist to pun
ishment by fine or imprisonment OF
both, for any time and money up to six
months in the county jail and $500.
PROVIDES FOR EXAMINATION
The most drastic provision Of the bill
provides for an examination Of all pre-
sumptive music teachers. who first must
pay a fee Of SO before submitting tc
the test. The teachers must renew their
licenses every year by paying a fresh
dOllsr The law does not provide fol
din license tags, such as chauffeurs and
skye terriers wear The examiners are
10 get $50 a day for each day they si'
examining applicants filled with har.
meny.
The purpose Of the BILL" said Or
Stewart last evening, is to secure
legal recognition and protection for al
teachers Of music and to put their worl
on the same plane as that Of lawyers
and doctors. The bill may be consid
cred as a health measure, for incompe
tent vocal teachers often ruin voices
and impair the vocal organs of pupils
The bill has been indorsed by all mu
sicians who have responded to the cir
cular on the subject I have sent out