Evening star., 1938-05-29
Hands Across the Sea.

GdluOIl6l yepIlutcQ nouolSoA SOuA 4SA
Of May Is.
HANS KINDER, conductor of the
orchestra in our National Capital,
asks publication of the attached COM
munication as an open letter to the
conductors at the head OF American
symphonic organizations:
Woodward Building,
Washington, D. G.
April 16, 1888.
To My Colleagues:
The situation in Europe has had as
one of its consequences the removal or
resignation Of many of our colleagues
from their positions. Regardless of
any ones personal political convictions,
I think I can safely say that we all
feel that political interference in
matters Of art is contrary to its very
spirit.
We who have the privilege Of living
and working in America should now,
more than ever, realize that this brings
with 1t an obligation, namely, to extend
as far as possible this same privilege
to those who have most Immediately
suffered the consequences of political
interference and restriction.
One Of our most eminent colleagues,
Bruno Walter, has had to resign, first
in Germany, and now in Austria. The
realization of the fearful mental dis
tress which must be Mr.. Walters at
this time, and my own reaction to this
compel me to propose the following:
I propose to you, my colleagues in
America. immediate joint action in this
particular case. If every one Of us
would be willing and ready, as am, to
offer Mr.. Walter series Of four, five,
or six concerts from our schedules for
the coming season, not only would an
immediate field Of activity open itself
for him, but, more than that, q posi-
tive gesture on our part would be
made which might alleviate the ter
rible individual distress and hopeless
ness our distinguished colleague must
be suffering. My own board Of direc-
tors most graciously and promptly has
consented to this procedure on my part.
Such action will not only be very
definite gesture of protest, but it may
also allow us the immediate privilege
OF the distinguished presence in Amer
lea Of Bruno Walter.
Should you be willing to take def
mite part in this procedure, may ask
you to write me in care Of the National
Symphony Orchestra, Washington,
D. e, indicating the possibilities as
far rs your individual organizations
are concerned.
Most sincerely yours,
HANS KINDLER.
Mr.. Kindler's letter has admirable
sentiment and purpose and his heart
felt suggestion deserves the considera-
ton Of his brother conductors. The
case Of Bruno Walter, because of his
eminence and his former active as
eociation with American orchestras,
stands out especially, even though
scores Of lesser leaders are suffering
under the same political disad-
vantages. Tender-minded persons and
those with q sense Of justice must
wonder fearsomely what is to become
OF the many whom it would not be
expedient to invite to this country as
guest directors. The only practical
idea that suggests itself is that smaller
communities in our land might find
this an opportune time to start Or
chestras, and to employ those foreign
baton practitioners, provided that
there are not enough competent
Americans to fill such positions. The
Kinder plan in connection with Bruno
WaTt3f would be q fitting gesture to
start q movement Of that kind.
trhere Is, Of course, the danger that
too many foreign conductors might