The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-05-13

FAAAOi 4tADNAt OAA u
congress the other day that in the
olden days a man or a woman would
hear a good piece OF music and then
purchase it. In this way a demand
was created for our product. Today
these compositions are delivered daily
in Our homes. They are rendered in
an inariistic manner and the public
soon tires OF them. His reference
was to the radio broadcasting of
music. John Philip Sousa. another
great composer who admits that his
royalties on music ran as high as
100000 a year at one time. told the
same committee OF congressman that
the prohibition amendment had de-
stroyed the industry of producing
light opera. because. he explained.
light opera required drinking songs
OF the rollicking kind that were so
popular in the past. we cannot
write drinking songs nowadays" re-
marked Mr.. Sousa. Apparently the
inspiration is lacking" These two
eminent composers complain that the
unskilled reproduction of popular
music by radio is rapidly getting on
the nerves OF the people" They de-
mand regulation that will give them
payment for music when broadcast.
According to the composer of music
initiative in their field is being de-
stroyed and art is going to the bow
vows because men and women who
devote their lives to musical culture
cannot make their livelihood under the
new conditions by which music is
supplied to the public. The sheet
music business has been on the rapid
decline since the photograph was in
vented, but the commercial interests
of composers and publishers are pro-
tectyd with regard to that industry.
Not so. with music by radio. While
it is doubtless true that a good deal
broadcasting Of music is 'inartis-
tic" it is nevertheless a fact that some
Of the best talent in the country is
fulfilling the prophecy made by Long
when he wrote:
And the night shall be filled with
music, K
And the cares that infest the day I;
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs. {
And as silently steal away" I
We can all remember how every t
representative family used to educate /
It last one child to perform at the !
OF play the violin or a cornet.
Vocalists were to be found every i
Now that has all been q
and music is produced to a
'ery large extent by professionals.
The cultivation OF music as an art
or arts sake has surrendered to COM
.nercial enterprise. This commercial :
department. has hit the manufacturers :,
I musical instruments. and the pub >.
OF sheet music and the COM >
osers. The two latter class are rails
ig the biggest smoke in Washington "
yer what they believe to be the in =
nstice OF their situation. Congress y
asked to protect the composers, ="
ong writers, publishers. and others, -
the republication OF their thoughts
yer the radio. We have all heard r
10 announcement FROM the broad :.
to the effec, that consent had -
zen obtained for the broadcasting OF =
e evenings musical program. This "
up to date represents the
iblic-spirited desire. of every affected 81
terest to cooperate in developing g
c new art OF filling the night" with !"
Itertainments. The subject matter %
largely included in the processes "
the government regarding patents
ID copyrights, and congress is try "
6 to arrive at some method in the -
ny OF regulation that will furnish u'
oper safeguard and protection for Ia
e commercial rights of those who I"
c affected by the development Of e'
do. sly
re,
Looking into the future, radio may i'm
mex a large part of the business Of TIL
c newspapers in giving the daily rol
WIS to the world; it may cncrouch trc
ry materially upon novels and other cic
ln,ed matter now protected by copy ye'
There are plenty of prophecies sh'
out other things that it may ~revolu- re;
'nize. But the present discussion de;
the fact hat the new situa- 90,
n is rapidly carrying into the coun- ert
the canned age of volume pro- lioI
ction in all classes of entertain the
mt. 1t is the same process OF life ave
4 has been developing in all phases mi,