Detroit evening times., 1943-03-31
PetriIIo' S Ban

4 FTER eight months the prohibition imposed by
n James Caesar Petrlo head Of the American Fedora
ton of Musicians against the recording Of instrumental
music still prevails. .. . ...
1t was a very stupid and harmful prohibition in the
beginning and IS still stupid and Increasingly harmful
Naturally II has inJurlously affected the producers
Of recorded music by mpaIrng their normal enterprise
which is what Mr. Petulo intended.
But since the producers are the employers OF mus-
clans and the principal OF their livelihood II IS
obvious that the prohibition also has njuuousy affected
the observation-disclosures they have lost approximately
two million dollars in irrecoverabc wages.
And of II has lnJuriously affected the music,
loving American people by deprlWng them OF new ana
popular and patriotic music AT time when the nsplra-
tion Of good music IN convenient form Is especially
needed
what Mr. Perio wants and TO appraise3 in the light OF
what everybody concerned including the musicians has
lost
MR. PETRILLO imposed the prohibition the record
lNl ING and transcription industries in the first place
without making any demands upon them whatever and
indeed, at public hearings later conceded tha ne do not
know what he wanted.
- However he subsequently, submitted fantastic
proposition for the payment of monies by the recording
and transcription and juke box establshmentsno to the
musicians in wages but to the treasury of the American
Federation of Musicians.
sition, as startling economic and aocial precedent
acceptance Of which would wrongfuy require Employers
and the public "o make direct payments to union or
other organization which claimed unemplOy among
Its members that ii could establish unemployment
fund for the benefit of its members
The industries properly said of this proposition that
it would be contrary to whole concept of social
security" and would be the ferefHnnef of "a series OF
private systems of unemployment relief evying taxes
industry and the people and bringing nothing but chaos
IT WAS brazen proposition designed to enrich the
i union and not to benefit the musicians.
But since Mr. Petrillo appears to have powers over
the musicians strangely appropriate to his middle name,
he is able to continue his harmful prohibition.
Wherefore, the industries continue to suffer impair
of their normal enterprise and the public continues
to be deprived of the music 1t loves and the musicians
continue to lose wages which never be recovered
The industries have little in this situation
but to await return of to their employees and to
hope 1t will before damage to the industries has
been rreparable.
But why do the American people stand for continu
of situation clearly opposed to public interest?
And particularly why do the musicians stand for it
when denies them employment in the professions in
which they are skilled and for which they have schooed
themselves all their lives?
TNSISTENCE on better wages is understandable. But
l acquescence in program of union enrichment without
benefit of higher wages if it succeeds and with industry
wide unemployment if it fails is beyond any understand
ing reason.
1t is situation into which musicians. individuals
and organization well inquire 1t is example
of the great harm autocratc leadership do to labor
1t is always advisable and preferable for labor to clean
its house. Otherwise the American people will be
provoked into undertaking the house cleaning in their
interest.