Evening star., 1947-07-07


re. -AP WirephOtO.
now has approximately $50 separate
contracts with recording and tran
scription firms.
He said it was a matter of bread
and butter" for musicians when they
could be paid $4,000" for record
ing and let the companies by
throwing the records into juke boxes
all over the country make $2,000,-
900" from the same recording.
He predicted that "in one year
so per cent of our men will be in
the Streets
Although musicians business has
beeen booming, he said, right now
"cafes are losing money, the orches-
tras are going. Hotels are losing
money, the orchestras are going.
Theaters are losing money, orches-
tras are going"
Must Look Toward Future.
And, because of this trend. he
declared, his union must look toward
the future.
He said that several thousand
men" in his union have received
their notices, and will be out OF
work within the next month.
Mr.. Petrillo took issue with the
estimate of Mr.. Kearns that only
10 per cent of the union member
ship are employed exclusively as
musicians.
He reported that about 80 per
cent of the members make their
living" as musicians, while about
another 80 per cent get from one
to three jobs week playing at
banquets, weddings and similar
affairs.
"A musicians life is very short,
Mr.. Petrillo continued. IF he lasts
10 or Is years in business, he is
doing very we'll. The turnoverd is
big and rapid. Many members OF
the union go into other businesses
but they hold on to their union
card for sentimental reasons"
Call Kearns Good Musician"
The union chief noted that Mr.
Kearns is a union member and 9
very good musician"
do you think I am good Con.
gressman?" Mr.. Kearns asked.
II don't know Mr.. Petrillo re.
piled. "I'll tell you after this hear.
ing ends
At the outset OF the heraing
Mr.. Kearns accused Mr.. Petrillo o1
holding "dictatorial powers over the
lives and work" of union musicians
and of denying them the right OF
free speech and economic security
Mr.. Kearns said the committee
recognizes that new statutes have
"outlaWed" some of these activities
But he added:
."Otherwise, we recognize the fact
that you may attempt to continue
other practices because of the
deficiencies in existing laws, and it is
for that reason that we shall at
tempt to review existing unfair
activities and practices INDUCED in
by your federation"
MIR. Kearns said the committed
study had left doubt whether or not
(the federation) is a regular union
entitled to the protection and ex-
emption of the Federal statutes"
Differs on Several Points.
He said it differed from other
4 labor unions on these points:
/. THE vast majority of its men,
bership is composed of people who
do not earn their entire livelihood a.
musicians. 1t has been estimated
that not over 10 per cent of your
membership are employed exclu-
sively as musicians.
2. I'm the average union, pay
ments are made to it's members fol-
services actually rendered . 50. The
investigation of our committee indi-
Gates that your federation, by means
of strike, has forced the recording
Industry to pay approximately
$4,000, 900 as tribute to all the men,
bers Of your organization.
3. "Your organization. through the
threat of strikes and boycotts, has
required theater owners throughout
the United States to employ stand
by orchestras for many movies
shows or performances in which
they did not need, want or use such
orchestras.
Dictation to Broadcasters Charged.
4. "Your organization has dictated
to the licensed broadcasters of the
United States J" the amount OF
money they should spend for music
, and has, in some instances, required
them to employ musicians to render
services which did not necessitate
musical knowledge or talent to per-
form.
S. "You and the board of the
American Federation of Musicians
are engaged in a concerted effort
to hold back the chronological i'm.
provements in radio and in tele.
vision.
6. "Your federation has inter.
ferred with an restricted the in.
alienable right of the people of the
United States to enjoy freedom o1
religion and education. Numerous
complaints have been made to the
effect that by virtue of the monopol.
which your federation exercises ovel
the radio and recording companies
of the : United States, amateur
musicians are denied the right t.
perform; churches must pay standby
fees for organists; orchestras, band!
and choruses in many schools have
been denied the right to broadcast
and the service bands Of the Unitee
| States have been denied the righ1
to make records"
7. "Your federation is a monopol,
/ which exercises the right of licensing
businesses -" and autocraticall.
determines the amount of none!
which must be paid by non-unior
members of you.' crganization.'