Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-12
MUSICIANS HERE ESTA BLLSH
JEWSHARP'S SOCIAL STATUS
Experts after Test Decide Lotu Produces Harmony
and Meody-Neither Toy Nor Miscellaneous Metal
but Dignfed Orchestral Component

Musicians Of Philadelphia have come
to the relief of the maligned Jews.
harp. In its hour OF dire need, after II
had been called a toy and lscelaneous
metal, friends have rallied to It's
anguished means and have formally de.
clared 1t to be a musical instrument.
I The question of the jewsharp's status
was opened over the discussion as to the
duty to be paid on a shipment imported
here. Customs regulations had classified
the jewsharp as a toy. The importer
protested that II was miscellaneous
metal" judge ruled It to be a musical
instrument. but the customs regulations
still classify It as toy.
A. II. Rosewig, a composer of this city
and proprietor of music store on
Eleventh street, near Walnut, was the
first real authority to defend the jews.
harp.
When the question was put to him he
4, proved his case by two definitions.
| Music" he said. "is n succession OF
harmonious sounds 1t is divided into
melody and harmony Melody is a sim
gle succession Of sounds and harmony
is group of sounds. Now any article
hat makes these sounds Is a musical in
strument."
He stepped to one of the show cases
and came. back with a jewsharp that
looked like some kind of patent can
opener. He placed this against his teeth
and began TO twang the end of the de-
vice, and forthwith the gentle strains
of Comm Through the Rye" or The
Campbells Are Coming" or "Old Dog
Tray"--well, anyhow, whatever the tune
may have been. It was pleasant and
proved that Mr.. Rosewig is an expert
performer.
Persons who had dropped into the
store to buy the score of a grand opera
or a cantata were deeply moved You
could tell they were deeply moved by
the way they fidgeted and looked at the
ceiling while the concert was In prog
ress. A man who had come In to buy
an xylophone began to hammer on 4.
under the impression that he was help
ing out.
Did you catch the melody?" asked
Mr.. Rosewig when he concluded.
The answer was affirmative.
"Then," said Mr.. Rosewig triumphant
ly, "the jewsharp must be musical
instrument. Anything that can play a
tune Is a musical instrument"
There were two members of orchestras
and half a dozen pianists, singers and
othee in Mr.. Rosewig's store at the
time This jury nodded its collective
heads In agreement.
The jewsharp, according to Nr.
Rosewig. is deceptive name. The
little instrument. which sounds some
thing like Scotch begpipe and some
thing like an irritable humble bee, was
originally the Irish. harp, he said 1t
was originated when school boy
stuck steel pen point in his desk and
twanged 1t with his fingers
Today it is among the favorites of
the southern countryside. running even.
the banjo v close second. A group of
negro boys, given jewsharp, will
stage competitive back and wing dane
ing contest which will last until they
are chased from the front of the country
store and the negro experts will devote
hours to the perfection of some flourish
WIN winch to- stun admirers when next
they play Turkey In the Straw or
old Dan Tucker
III 1t Is musical instrument" came