The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-01
MUSIC;
IMPETUS
GIVEN
Broadcasters Open Attack on
Society Of Authors and
Publishers.

that the American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publish
ers is far from representative of
those interested, f. F. McDon-
aid, jr., president Of the National
Association Of Broadcasters, to-
day issued a statement defending
his organization and attacking
the society for its stand in the
controversy over who will pay for
broadcasting.
A survey made cf the society,
Mconald stated, shows that it rep
resents only approximately 253
authors and composers, out of a
known list of over 5000, and that
only approximately forty publish
ers out of a known list of more
than 1900 are members of the
society.
"1n other words" the statement
says, ''the survey shows that the
society represents only a small
minority Of the total authors,
composers, and publishers in the
United States"
NOn.Members Named.
Among the prominent composers
who, 1t was stated. are not members
Of the society are Carrie Jacobs
Bond, Charles w. Cadman, Rubin
Goldmark, Harry Rowe Shelley,
Harvey Worthington Loomis, Henry
2. Hadley, Arthur Foote. William
A. Fisher, Clifford N. Page, Henry
F: Colbert. Victor Harris, G. w.
Chadwick, Ward Stephens, John T.
Marshall and Cecil Forsyth.
Mr.. Mcdonald in his statement
outlined the plan adopted by the
Broadcasters' Association for con-
Quoting bureau OF music release
conducted at the joint expense of
the members and not for profit
This bureau receives the music
releases to members of the As3o-
citation those found to be acceptable.
Pay for Popularity.
ut would be just as reasonable, :"
the statement continues, "for a the
atrical producer to come with a
new show to the city of Chicago
and then say to the newspapers. II
you give my show any publicity, or
II you publish the pictures OF my
artists, you must pay me- as 1t is
for any publisher to ask the broad
casters to pay tribute to them for
advertising and popularizing their
music. It Is q well known and ac-
cepted fact that almost any tune
with a natural swing, IL played
enough, will become popular. Radio
Is the greatest popularizer, for 1t
reaches the ears Of more people,
and more often, than Is possible by
any other means.
"Why, then, does this group want
to charge the broadcasters for using
their music? Simply because radio
gives the small, Independent pub
Usher the same opportunity to pop
ularize his music over the radio,
as 1t does the large, wealthy pub.
Usher, who formerly had the ad.
vantage, because of the funds avail
able to him to pay for the so.called
plugging" and other methods of
advertising and placing music be-
fore the public.
Denies Comparison Fair.
''Mr. Mills. for the society, com.
pares the broadcaster with the
monograph record maker and the
music roll manufacturer. Not a
fair comparison. because the rec
ord or roll manufacturer waits until
the selection shows signs Of pop.
ularity before he will record it,
whereas the radio broadcaster, first
sends the music through the Bureau
of Music Release to be sorted and
then places its selection before the
public for its judgment. Thus the
independent, small publisher, will
have an equal chance with the
next and he will be favored If his
productions have merit. Never be-
fore has he had the opportunity to
compete with the organized group.
1.-THE broadcasters are in favor
Of protecting the man who has the
mental gift Of producing music. He
deserves protection. The public is
sometimes misled by the society's
music being referred to as copy.
righted music. The music of the
independents is copyrighted exactly
the same as the music owned by
the society. While this so-called
Society Of American Composers,
Authors and. Publishers, as an
organization, has collected millions
for the public performance rights
of music, the broadcasters invite
them to open their books and show
what small percentage Of the
fabulous sums collected have actual.
ly reached the pocketbooks of the
author or the composer who are
responsible for the music - the
originators Of it,"