The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-05-05
AMERICA SPENDING
S8OO;OOO,OO0 MUSIC
DURING THIS YEAR
ME-. JoE FREUND, EDITOR OF
MUSICAL AMERICA, TELLS OF
GOOD ACCOnRL ISHED.
Time Tor America to Assert Independ-
ence OF Europe IN Music, says
Authority.

John {. Frcund publisher OF Musical
America, Wheeling's distinguished visit
or who arrived yesterday TO tako part
in the celebration OF Music Week. wen.
Immediately TO his room AT the Windsor
hotel. AT the hotel. after luncheon. he
talked with an lntelligrn"er reporter OF
his aims and purposes in bringing be-
fore the towns and cities of the country
different aspects OF the influence cX-
crtcd by music upon the lives OF In
diVidualS and the community.
Mr.. Freund made the startling asSer-
ton that during the year 1913 America
spent the stupenduous sum of $6OO,OOO.-
600 on music. This included all kinds
Of music--for churches. concerts. opera
and every phase which ii covers. This
amount. sold Mr.. Freund. was more than
that expended by the United States gov
ernmcnt 70 rthe conduct of the war. Tho
sum expended during his year Tor musli
Mr. Frrund said, has risen to $SO0.OOO,-
600
Since the great stir which was o.
casi0ned by this announcement, SAID
Mr.. Frcund. Il have spent much or my
time travelling about the country. talk
ing TO the people, cndeavorinG 10 show
them hat great profit. much pleasure
and equal value may be received by sup
portinG the musicians Of America, by co.
operating with them. and making II JUS.
as easy for them to obtain the best re-
suis and afford az much pleasure to
their audiences aS II il for European
artists who are brought from New York
for Il night or TWO. at an imiienSr rA-
pense. and generally because they have
u few untitled dates on their schedules
With this in mind. ! have Travelled
over the country. at my own expense
teaching not what the peopl" can do
for music. but what music can do for
the people.
Il am no longer Il young man. ! will
soon be eighty years Of age. and IL Is
not always pleasant TO travel long dis
tances. But when l get call from
some place which may need little help
20 keep going in the right direc'loh' II
is a pleasure TO respond.
Independence in American Music.
1T has been many years since Amer
lea determined to throw off The power
OF foreign government. and when inc
determination came she freed herSeIl
from that power which sought to Grip
ple her development in things social.
political and financial. The time has
come for America to reassert her indc-
pendenCe. but this time FOR the futuTe
development of the country in ITS hlghs
er sense. America has the wealth OF
opportuuities, the ideals and the breadth
TO make her the most highly developed
country in every way that the world
has ever known. Why should she d"-
pend on Europe TO bring her the culture
the beauty Of music-with its influ-
ences on the minds and hearts OF pc -
uleo And row, since the war has tori
OFF the shacklcs of the clutch which the
German artists. German orchcstras. Ger
man composers. and all German music
had upon the world and especially upon
Americ, the time is ripe TOT lreeHo,H
nd independence 10 be reborn IN the All
eriCan spirit.
1T Is the ancient thought that only
European talent ia worth while. oniE
European talent worth cultivating' ana
only European artists worth pa! ms
This Is tradition which America IN
order to develop music. must overco,I'G;;
Music. instead of being the pampereu
darling Of the few is within the grasp
Of all and will become more nccesSinle
through understanding its POSSIBILITIES
in the national development.
American actresses are beginning 10
receive European recognition.' American
singers and musicians have ob'aiheu
recognition even when educated IN AM
erica; and why should not MUSIC D"coin'
an International instead or sHmethinE
restricted by certain places. certain pee
pie and CondltionS'
Mr.. Freund will talk to the business
men Of the city on the value OF music
as an advertising medium. II" oelieEe7
that as an advertisement Tor '!lH.
music is an unsurpassed power. ne
cited the example of Minneapolis. which,
through the biggest musical medium she
posse sses, the Minneapolis symphony
orchestra. with it's annual concert tours
has let il be known that Minneapolis IS
q city TO be rcCkoned with from an CO.
ucatlonal standpoint.
In concluding the interview. Mr..
Freund spoke Of what he termed ;hc
trend Of America to underestimate It's
own productions as compared with those
Of Europe. and the American way which
many have OF spending fortunes abroad
Here" he said. we have the man or
foreign birth. Perhaps he is not even
naturalizcd yet he earns his living here
and spends his money where hH arms II.
IL he not n better American than John
Jacob Astor. who spends his fortune in
Europe"