The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-09-10
As They Have Eaten Up All
Their Savings Waiting for
Revival of Social Life.
CORRESPONDENTS o. A..ocIatrd Frc.,l

Correspondence OF Associated pressl
/ PARIS. Sept 9.-French musicians
I -instrumcntHlists, concert singers
and teachers, excepting those who
/ have gone To America--are among the
greatest sufferers from the prolonga-
ton OF the war. Those who had saw
iugs had eaten them up in two years
! waiting for n revival OF social life
and the concert and soircC engage
monts, while today that revival seems
tn be as far of as II did year ago.
Some musicians have had engage
ments, such as opera singers and cato
concert artists Although they have
suffered less than those who have had
nothing TO do. they have felt the situa-
ton acutely, One singer, who held
title roles at the opera and who re-
ceived 500 francs n night before tho
war. now gets ten francs. There are
also teachers who have been able TO
secure pupils. but with reduction
OF from Atty to soventy-flvc per cont
In prices. There are many others who
have not been able TO maintain their
classes at all. They, with the instru-
mental artists out Of employment, are
in tho worst position. for teacher
Is Obliged to keep up appearances,
generally pays pretty good rental,
and has rather expensive household.
You would be surprised, said an
American musician in Paris to tho
Associated Press correspondent. III
you knew the names of some great
artists that ! could cite who are In
the worst possible dilemma as n re-
suit of prolonged idlenGBs. One OF
them. woman who has been APP
plauded by people from all over the
world, Is living on almost nothing,
doing her washing and cleaning her
own apartment. Another is selling OF
his rare furniture piece by piece,
though before the war he posed MS n
man Of considerable means. The rare
engagements that such artists now
get is only drop In tho bucket, for
somo OF them had incomes OF from
10000 francs upward before the war,
lived accordingly and now have moth
ing"
The musician in greatest need in Paris
Is not the poorly clad and worn-taced
street singer or musician who goes
tue round OF the Paris courtyardB.
Today the latter are the aristocrats
OF the professions. One OF these play
ing in the courtyard, with baby lying
in her violin box, looking much worn.
attracted the attention OF charitable
people who investigated her case and
found that she had in her year taken
tho first prize at the conservatory.
Having located her, these people Of
fered her such aid as she required.
but she made no reply. The Inference
was that her courtyard work brought
her more than these charitable people
offered.
The number OF musicians who have
smothered their pride and gone into
tie street is very limited, however.
Most OF them are in dire straits in
spite Of their comfortable appearance
in public. and some of them are near
ly starving. Their relief Is n most
delicate and difficult matter, as few
OF them are willing to expose their
needs. A good deal has been done
in this direction. however, by so
ciety OF musicians. French and Amer
lean, called "1Aide Affecteuse aux
Muslciens', who through their per-
sonal acquaintance with their fellow
artists find It easier than most char
liable organizations TO extend fra
ternal hand. AS the war goes on. how
ever, with constant multiplication
OF charitable committees OF different
sorts and repeated demands upon
charitable people for funds, there ia
less spontaneous and generous re-
Spouse for the relief Of such poverty
as this.