The New York herald., 1921-07-02
Stadium Orchestra
Is Forbidden by
Its Union to Play
Management Engages Musi-
clans and Season VIII Be
Given as Announced.

AS the open air concerts are about TO
start a new season in the Lewisohn
Stadium OF City College. the Musical
Mutual Protective Union has taken
hand. and as d result the orchestra en-
gagged to play there will not play. This
was announced yesterday by Arthur
Judson. manager Of the concerts which
are to be given under the supervision OF
the Peoples Institute opening next
Thursday night with Henry Hadley con-
ducting an all Wagner programme
Very much TO our surprise" said MT.
Judson, I'VE we're informed yesterday
that owing to some fancied grievance
against the National Symphony Orches-
ira. members of the local New YORK
union would not be permitted to play en-
gagements at the Stadium. The union
was informed that the organization CIV
ing the concerts was in no way. directly
or indirectly. affiliated with the National
Symphony, but the powers that be ~
tho local union ruled otherwise.
I'VE have, therefore. taken the local
union at it's word. and have engaged a
new orchestra, recruited chiefly from the
Philadelphla orchestra and from other
first class organizations The orchestra,
as so constituted, will in all respects oe
the equal of any similar organization u,
the country. The same high stanoaro ol
concerts as heretofore given VIII oe
maintained.
eve are in no way opposed to union
t1ryf
musicians engaged are all union men :
we however. resent the high handed ac-
ton OF the leaders of the local union.
and feel that we can no longer Tolerate
their unwarrantsd interference
sincerely regret the hardship which the
ruling OF the local union Will cause 10
Individual members of the orchestra, but
see no other course to pursue
1--WE are sure the public will stand
behind the number of well known men
and women who are endeavoring, In the
face OF great difficulties, to give new
York really high class music at prices
within the reach OF all.
Most OF the musicians who were en-
gagged for the Stadium orchestra useo
70 he members of the National Sym
nbonv which went out OF existence as
rch and was merged with the phil
harmonic Society. Robert Stearne was
the manager of the orchestra. 1t was
he who Informed Mr.. Judson OF the ac-
ton of the union on instructions from
Henry " Donnelly, secretary OF the
Musical Union. Local $40. American
Federation OF Musicians.
Mr. Stearne wrote to Mr.. Judson:
"Before communicating with you l
got in touch with Charles 5. Guggen-
heimer. attorney for the National SYM
phony. and he again asserted TO me tha'
the National symphony Orcnestra was
| in no way connected with the StaaiuII'
! concerts and that there was no Justi-
| fication for any such contention.
"I have no alternative. however. but
TO notify you that, pursuant to the ru'-
| ing of the union, I herewith abrogate
! the contract existing between you. the
| PEOPLES Institute and myself, and am
| notifying the orchestra members tnat
am no longer connected with the sta
dunn concerts for the coming season
and that all engagements MADE under
union rules are off by order OF the
union. / trust that you will understand
the situation thoroughly and accept my
| sincere regrets for having failed 10 meet
my obligations TO you"
Enclosed in this lotter was copy OF
| the official notification of the loca
/ union informing Mr.. Stearne OF the de-
/ cision of the union refusing to permit
members of the local TO play in the
I Stadium unless conditions that the Sta
dunn management rsgard as impossible
ware fulfilled. What these conditions
were could not be learned last night
II was said. however. that no question
| OF wages entered into the discussion.
Mr.. Hadley is to be the leader of the
! Stadium concerts for their first -four
weeks. Victor Herbert following for the
| second four weeks.