Connecticut western news., 1921-05-26


 In addition to rendering the original compositions this orchestra played the accompaniment to the oratorios and solos. To prepare for these a rehearsal each morning of festival week in Norfolk was sufficient but to learn and coordinate the new compositions it was necessary to n0id series of six rchearsals in New York City before coming to Norfolk.
 Up to this year the orchestra mon were paid for the six rehearsais m New York at their regular union rates which differed for different in- struments and different players. They were also paid, of course, for the three public performances and for the private concert-rehearsal on the first night of the festival but the morning rehearsals were given free. In addition to this every man WAS given his entire expenses of every sort from the moment he left the Grand Central station until the m0m- ent he returned. Fares, hotel bills, motor car transportation to and from Canaan, reaching in the aggregate an enormous totals, were all borne by the patrons of the festival who, in addition, gave the players on each of three days, an elaborate garden party at which they were able to meet the principals, their hosts, and the invited guests.
 Last year the union made certain demands which MT. and Mrs. StoecK- el felt that they were unwilling to meet. The players, most of whom had come to Norfolk year after year, who regarded MT. and Mrs Stoeckel as personal friends and many ot whom would gladly have come for nothing for the sake of the work accomplished took matters into theT own hands and came regardle55---at the old rates.
 This year, however, 1t was lmpos- sible to avoid an issue. The same matter had been fought out all win ter in New York and had threatened to wreck the New York Symphony Orchestra in which much the same position is occupied by Harry HarN- ness Flagler which is occupied i'll the Norfolk festivals by MT. and Mrs Stoeckel There is, however, this important difference: in the case ot the New York Symphony the patrons who enjoy the concerts are allowed to subscribe and so, theoretically at least, the cost could be spread over q greater number. MT. tlagler merely makes up the deficit. In Nor folk however MT. and Mrs. StoecNel pav the entire cost, from start to finish.
 Union Wants Overtime"
 The demands of the union, in brief are these: In the first place rates have been raised all along the line which in itself may be just Tn VleW of the high cost of living. This year, however, the three morning rehear- sals must be paid for, but the great point of controversy is this--that the allowed time of rehearsal has been cut from three to two hours. The third hour must be paid for on basis of "overtime" for which musl- cians. like most other union workers, have a greatly increased rate. Con ductors say that two hours IS not sufficient for proper rehearsal while a third hour for seventy-tive men, costing almost as much as an additional rehearsal is prohibitive in cost.
 Under even normal circumstances the cost of the festivals is colossal. Besides the whole winters work, the transportation, subsistence and sal aries for over one hundred persons, most of them high-priced artists, fer four days plus, there are hundreds of expenses which do not occur to the average observer. Without any question of what the resources of the patrons may or may not be, they felt hat they have simply reached the point of diminishing returns" The ,eturns in this case of MT. and Mrs. Stoeckel have always been wholly spiritual but even in spiritual returns here is a point where the results do not justify the outlay. If the musi- ! clans gave better music or even ln- creased zeal for the greater charges it is possible that the patrons would | ass me the cost gladly, as they have lsc,med every new expense of the festivals for twenty years. But when it comes to a question of paying a tax for union membership in New York City with no increased benefit | to the people of Litchfeld county the patrons have simply said no.
 The musicians union has won a "victory", but the Norfolk orchestra gets six less rehearsals Cat pay) and | one less performance at pay, so that the aggregate pay for the week, dur ing a slack season of the musical year, will be less for each man than before. Was it not Lord North who said that "one more such victory will annihilate the British army?
 What has been actually done this year to keep the cost within bounds has been to cut out the six paid re- hearsals in New York entirely which means that no new compositions will he qiyen. One days concert has