Evening star., 1938-11-27

taken a firm stand against any
coercion into joining a union, even
writing an open letter to DR.. Kous-
sevitzky, member of the board,
outlining his views. Since the ques-
ton is paramount at the moment,
Menuhin's statement herewith
quoted regarding his attitude in the
matter.
IN subtle matters of conscience
and principles of purely independ-
ent, free-lance solo concert artist,
who has absolutely nothing to do
with employers, employees, salaries,
wages, terms of employment, hours
of employment, or any form of joint
or common interest with others
where the element of collective bar
gaining ever enters into consider
alton; in the particular case of pure
art and genius where the whole life
and art are, as they should be, far
away from the turmoil of every
day conflicts of human attrition. to
tell free-lance concert artist You
have no alternative than to become
a member of "A. G. M. A." (Ameri-
can Guild of Musical Artists Union
before your concert appearances
and slightly add the cost to you
would be only $70' as if there exists
fixed and standard price for the
sale Of ones conscience and inde-
pendent art, is a crime and disre-
spect to all God given talent and
pure free art. This calls for strong
self assertion and self-respect on
the part of artists still free, and even
on the part of such artists who have
Joined "A. G. M. A. because they
were persuaded that in doing so they
just render a generous hand to
underpaid musicians, chorus girls,
ballet dancers and movie actors.
With me, it has never been
question of principle of not belong
ing to unions in general cases of
salaried or wage workers! The
Menuhins have always expressed
their sympathy with organized labor.
Il have categorically and openly
declared on many occasions that my
own art belongs purely to the pure
music solo concert stage! I chose
forever to remain free lance, pure
ly musical artist whose art has
nothing to do with actors, choruses,
ballet dancers, scenario writer's,
movie operators or extras; my
unique solo career never brings me
In contact with other associates in
other fields of equal or inferior
standing, with whom I would have
common denominator wherein
joint interests would require repre-
sentatives for collective bargaining.
They rightly need unions to protect
their collective bargaining problems.
Wherein will their cause be hurt, if
they leave me alone? I cannot do
them any good; neither can they do
me any good! If all they need is
my contribution of $40. I will gladly
give them that and more to help
poor artists!
LAS free citizen of a still free
country, ardently believing in the
liberty of the independent individual
when his personal and sacred occu-
patton is the sole and solitary enter
prise OF his own, based on pure art,
Interpretation and initiative: based
on freedom of thought and con-
science, intend to defend my per-
sonal art and honor, my liberty and
individualism, inch by inch and
point by point, unless and until our
country, too, is to be swallowed in
differently by the leveling, grinding
and crushing steam-roller machines.
IT this continues, we shall soon have
only one kind of art-that which
conforms to union regulations.
Artists must be free or there will
be a leveling of art! Art cannot be
leveled, for it is a matter of imagi-
nation and inspiration!