The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-12-02

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dispatches herein are also reserved
MEMBER MICHIGAN
LEAGUE OF HOME pAILlEs
National Advertising Representative
Scheerer and co.
as Lexington Ave, New YORK
SIS r Wacker Drive. t7icaso
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER ?, lsi-
THE MUSIC BAN
Government takes strong hand
in the select realm OF music as Con.
gress prepares TO investigate the
ban imposed by James q. Perillo.
president of the American Fedora
ton OF Musicians against AIM
members making musical record
ings. Sen. d. Worth Clark. Demo,
crat. OF Idaho, chairman of the
Senate Committee which will make
the investigation says he intends
tirst of all, to be fair. but he also
intends TO find out whether one
man can defy every branch OF our
government, particularly in time
OF war
The subcommittee OF which he is
chairman expects to begin hear
ings into Petrillo's ban on record
making on Dec. 7 or soon after.
Effective Aug /, 1912, Petrillo
prohibited members of the Ameri-
ctan Federation OF Musicians from
making photograph records. cleo
trical prescriptions or other forms
OF recorded music. This ban was
not put into effect because OF any
dispute over wages, hours OF work,
or working conditions, but was
placed upon the broad ground that
mechanical music was taking away
rights of musicians.
The ultimate results OF such a
ban are obvious. No new music
has been recorded since Aug. J.
DRESSINGS from master records OF
old music are still being made. but
the life of that, too. is limited.
A large percentage of the smaller
radio stations in the United States
are very much dependent upon re-
corded music and of course the
investment in coin operated pho
nographs by small restaurants and
other establishments Is very ex-
tensive.
Three principal witnesses-Elm-
er Davis, Owl director, represent
ing the armed services. Treasury
Department and the OCD; Chair.
man Lawrence Fly Of the Federal
Communications Commission, and
Thurman Arnold. appearing for the
attorney general. have express ed
opposition 10 the Petrillo han.
Mr. Davis holds that unless re-
corded music can again be made
the morale Of our armed forces will
be seriously impaired Armed
forces depend a great deal on re-
corded music in one form or an
other for part OF their recreation.
Mr.. Fly predicts almost a Gala.
nifty for a large part OF the radio
industry If Petrillo's ban is allow
ed 10 stand He declares generally
that in his opinion 40 per cent OF
all the radio stations will ultimately
have to close down If this ban lasts
for any appreciate time Both
Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Fly say they
have asked Petrillo TO remove the
ban but have been turned down.
Mr.. Arnold instituted a civil suit
in the federal district court in Chi.
cago TO enjoin Mr.. Petrillo from on
forcing his ban but the decision o.
the federal cpurf uyag ad,-.rr. --g,e
case Is now on its way to the
Supreme Court.
On the basis OF this testimony.
the Senate authorized a full inves-
LEGATION OF the situation. making
$4,000 available for the purpose
Chairman Wheeler appointed a new
subcommittee composed Of Sens.
mcfarland, Tunnel. Tobey, White
with Clark as chairman.
Petrillo may have some merit in
his contentious. He has success.
fully deied representatives of the
armed forces. the Federal Com
munications Commission, and the
Department OF Justice. II claims
in the coming investigation 10 the
effect that he is actually hurting
our war effort, do not stop him,
he will have clear sailing till new
legislation can be passed. Mean
time he naturally has the support
OF hundreds Of musicians who feel
that there will be definite advant-
age in continuation OF the record.
ing ban.