The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-04-19
.PH[[AN'S VIEWS
ON PARK BAND
Ex-May0r Issues Statement in
Reply to the Citizens
Alliance
Tells Why Commission Did Not
Accept Offer of the Fifth
Regiment Musicians

The following statement was given
regard to the recent controversy over
the application os the Fifth regiment
aand, n. G. C.. for employment in fur
nishing music in Golden Gate park:
The Citizens alliance has issued misleading
statement and. as usual with its past fantastic
performances. il seems that It's object Is TO
stir up trouble ana strife. The park band is
an old institution ana nas always Been composed
OF members Of the musicians union. The union
consists OF professional musicians and seeks 10
protecr its members In earning IS perform
nee. This is not excessive when it Ia con
sidered that they have 10 rehearse and purchase
--.eir instruments and music.
The Fifth regiment band Of the national
rev its subsidy from the park. offered to play
sratuitonsly for four performances and there.
tier at 500 sSIesr o and y pos q
and each one would have to provide his own
Instrument. music and be required to rehesrse.
,ppear to be unfair competition. but when II
8 known that the members or the military
their iivelilood in other walks OF life. ii would
appear to be practically a destructive eonpe-
lltion.
suggested by the Citizens alliance In order 70
provoke conflict with the musicians anion. and
hence, as one interested In the maintenance Of
Industrial peace. decided to proceed with eau
hon. did not want the park to be battle
ground for Industrial war. Perhaps 80 per cent
OF those who listen to the music In the pasA
are affiliated with Unions. 1t Is the lsborins
mans place of recreation on Sunday.
Mayor Taylor was elected BY the votes OF al
classes ana all classes look to aim for far
treatment. The laborinsmen revoked against
their false leader In toe late election and Mayor
Taylor possessed their confidence: so. 70 avert
from another period OF bad government, | stood
for the status quo. Would 1t not have beer
n professional
musicians, vino make their living ny their pro-
fesson. in favor. of nonprofessionsl musicians
who offer to do the work for grossly inaaeaust t
compensation We have to deal with facts and
not with platitudes about patriotism
this matter had to consult the best interest
of the city. The Citizens alliance attempts Z
create the impression that there was pretudicC
m,ary f sand Fhsre notns q
kind. The Fifth regiment band H. attaehr,
to the national guard and plays publicly aooQ
lection by the musicians union 10 Its playing
on all regimental occasions whether In concerns
or parsdes, but there is oojeetier. which Il
mouths Of men who make their living By thei
profession The unions attempt to protect niei
In their employment and TO that extent the,
abuses OF unionisa that good citizens object.
There was another consideration moving tn
business in the neighborhood of the park Nat
agreed to raise a fund OF s75 concert 10 max
and the commissioners were informed that tina
would not be forthcoming for any but un.oi
band. The supervisors promised SIS concef
In addition, and 1t Is not likely that they woul'
have contributed that amount II II. were know
that the practice OF employing professional mn
sicians was TO be abandoned That made SIS
concert which would not be available for tn
Fifth regiment band. Casassa's band crere.
their services for S160 concert. and hence, wit
the contributions, the cost to the park fund VA
only $40 dollars concert. as against tue 50
asked for by the Fifth regiment band.
It seems to me that employers of labor vii
see the wisdom of protecting me1 in their pro
fessions and trades against the incursons o
amateur musicians or governmental employees
and they certainly realize the wisdom OF avert
ing Industrial trouble into which they have bee
led SO often By the Citizens alliance, an organ
ization led by a hired manager, who seeks /
justify his salary By keeping the conmunit
in state Of constant irritation. Employer
should repudisfe the methods of tie Ctti ems
alliance, which. believe. has been the in,drec
cause os the bad government which so recent
afflicted San Francisco. There is a time TO ngii
and time to preserve harmony and good reia
| lions. The shrek of the Citizens alliance ca
hardly be construed as "a call to arms" bu
/ the decision OF the park commission may easil
/ read, Let US have peace.