Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1946-01-16
Two Opinions On Recent PetriIIo's
Edict from Labor and Liberal Side
York, an Outstanding Liberal Weekly
Magazine.

Magazine.
We had hoped that one of the fruits of peace would be greater
dent of the American Federation of Musicians, seems to have other
IDEAS. During the war, he explains in a letter to the radio companies,
the federation waived its objections to network broadcasts Of radio
programs, Hlcluolng music from foreign stations, with a view to pro
noting goodwill and good relations with other countries" But now
the war is over MI. Petrilo believes that I'VE should get back to normal
as rapidly as possible" and he therefore requests the immediate discon-
Unuance of such programs. We don't suppose Mr.. Peuilo means there
s no further need for good relations with other countries, though his
words imply just that. He is concerned only with protecting his mem
bers from ali possible forms Of competition. But like other protecionist
he is likely to create a lot of i'll will and to invoke retaliation. Among
the most important American exports are films, many Of them musicals.
Suppose the Musicians Union in Brian-a very powerful body too
placeo d ar on m showing OF any American films using music on tho
ground that this importation of foreign labor via the soundtrack was
taking jobs from their members. In that case. we suggest, American
musicians would stand to lose far more than they can gain from barring
d few foreign broadcass. Apart from all calculations of profit and loss,
any attempt to create a national cultural monopoly sets a deplorable
precedent. AS members of the writing profession we ourselves have to
meet for more foreign competition" than do the musicians. We not
only welcome it but would fight to the bitter end any attempt to bar it.
From Labor, Washington, D. c. a National Weekly Newspaper,
Published by Fifteen Standard Railroad Labor Organizations
The Radio Trust is laying down a fierce barrage on President Pet
rIlo Of the Musicians Union, Practically all the big danies ar joining
in, One reason: Many of these newspapers own radio stations; another,
the radio mogu1s are heavy advertisers.
PetriIo is pictured Is an arrogant "czar" who is telling the Amer
lean people what they shall and shall not hear owe. the radio. AS usual
the merits of the controversy are utterly ignored.
The fact is the radio moguls r. ransacking the world for cheap
music, but, for the time being, they find they must have the services
OF union musicians too. Petrilo says that the interests of these union
musicians must not be sacrificed in order that the profits of the radio
companies may be increased.
The American "listener-in" is not affected. The radio interests are
not laboring to give him better music.
A short time ago they were complaining because Petrilo objected
to broadcasts by school boy bands, which, of course, could be put o the
air at little cost to the radio magnates.
Now they IT telling American music lovers that Petrillo is de-
2riving them of "high-class foreign music" The union musicians of this
country can produce as good music as the foreigners, but the latter are
willing to work for any price, while the union musicians demand union
wages
We reiterate: It isn't a question of quality, but of cost. Petrilo is
entitled to the support, not the condemnation, of fair-minded citizens