Norwich bulletin., 1920-06-21

Mir Editor: There has been so much in the Norwich papers of recent date
 in regard to the controversy between the
 manager of the Strand theatre and the
 musicians of Norwich that I am forced
 to ask the courtesy of your columns to
 correct some of the incorrect statements
 and fabfications which this manager is very desifols of having the public be-
 lieve. We all know you cannot fool tht public all the time. that they are just and that there are two sides to a shield. There has been no time since the dis agreement with this manager arose in which it could not have been adjusted had he shown the least desire to be fair and just. His personal feeling of spite and antipathy against MT. Benson seem ed an obsession on his part. His state ment 10 Louis Felsburg, the executive off, 1 feer in regard to Mir. Benson. demon- strated this Tact, as he admitted in the l presence of several of the association
 officers that he was no musician and was | not judge of music good or bad, but
 would not under any consideration en- | ploy MT. Benson even if he was the finest | violinist in the world. Mr. Davidson has never shown an eager willingness on his
 part to employ local musicians His ex-
 cuses for not doing so are not known. l Mir. Benson is the only Norwich musician I
 only after considerable pressure was
 brought to bear. In fact it was the 1 opinion of most of the association of ficers at the time of MT. Benson's en- gagement that MT. Davidson would as soon as possible release Mir. Benson or do something which would humiliate him to such a degree that in order to pre-.
 serve his self respect MT. Benson
 give his notice. This all happened on schedule time.
 Mir Davidson evidently having very poor opinion of the officers of the Mu. !, sicians Protective Association requested
 President Jos. Weber Of the American Federation of Musicians to send an off
 eer from his executive board to Norwich
 to adjust the disagreement between him
 self and the Norwich musicians
 Louis Felsburg of New Haven, prom inent business man, was accordingly sent MT. Felsburg is a fair and just mar of splendid reputation in his own city
 broad minded and thoroughly able. tc settle this controversy in a manner abso l lutely just to both parties. He inter viewed MT. Davidson and labored witt } him to be fair and just but it was of n, | avail. MT. Felsburg told Mir. Davidson what would happen if he refused to b l fair and honorable to MT. Benson. MT Davidson persisted and MT. Felsbur; withdrew all the musicians from thi , theatre. There is one thing in the fra ternal ethics Of the members of thi great association that We fight against it is the unjust and dishonorable desir : of managers to injure and ruin the rep , utatioh of good and competent musician A musieiSns reputation once lost it 1 gone for all time Mir. Benson's goo reputation is dearer to himself and hi associates than every theatre in tho
 ! Tna nrofpGei0pa1 he of thi s city are a close corporation who are will : ing and glad to fight for this one thing s MT. Davidson knew this, but persisted | j. his obsession.
 |, W. R. STEVENS. s Chairman Executive Board Norwich Mu sicians Protective Association.
 Norwich, June 20, 1920.