Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 Excerpt:...free on that day. Mr. Mitchell claims that because he and others serve on committees that make the arrangements for and supervise the management during the day, that the musician should also tender his services free. Mr. Mitchell seems to forget that in numerous instances the members of such committees are musicians, giving their services as freely as he and others to make Labor Day a success. In many of the central bodies musicians are active workers, and are frequently placed upon such committees, and I have yet to hear of one of them failing in their full duty. They are as ready and willing to share these burdens as the members of any other craft. Since the first Labor Day in St. Louis, September, 1887, I have always taken an active part in preparations for the day, and so have many of my colleagues, sacrificing both time and money, but I consider it unreasonable to demand that the musician should be asked to donate his professional services. As I stated in my former article, it would be equally consistent to demand the services of everybody, in any way connected with either the preparations or performance, free, as to ask the musician to do so. The musicians are more than willing to do their full duty in attending meetings, serving on committees, and whatever other duties may be necessary to maintain the organizations, but draw the line on giving their professional services free. The laborer is worthy of his hire, and when organized labor needs the services of the members of any craft it should be willing to pay union wages for it, and, as a rule, I am glad to say that it is. I can not refrain from calling attention to the fact that there is probably no labor so exhaustive, especially on a hot day, as the work of a musician on a parade. While playing hi...