ORDER FROM CÆSAR.

Evening Star, Issue 25676, 27 December 1945, Page 4

ORDER FROM CÆSAR.

The American Caesar has spoken again. With that deceptive politeness which the dictatorship occasionally uses, the president of the American Federation of Musicians, Mr James Petrillo, has asked broadcasting stations if they will “ kindly discontinue the broadcasting of'any musical programmes emanating from foreign countries as from December 31.” This is a request which from long experience the radio authorities will recognise as an order that must bo obeyed to the letter iff the musical industry of the nation is not again to be thrown into a state of complete chaos. Petrillo can be admired for some of his efforts to protect musicians and gain advantages for them, but he also represents everything that is undesirable in trade unionism. He has climbed to power by the unrestrained use of the strike weapon and threats of interference with legitimate business. By strenuous fighting even against sections of the people he claims to represent lie has Welded the musicians of America into an organisation of extraordinary strength, and he has not hesitated to terrorise reluctant members into accepting and acting on his decrees. The nation could afford to be. indulgent when this tough little trade union despot cut antics of a picturesque nature or threw the business sido of music into a state of complete disorder, but on this latest occasion lie appears to have thrust his oar into international affairs to an extent which may even hinder efforts to promote greater understanding and friendship among nations. Recognising _ the tremendous power for good in radio, leaders of the United Nations have proposed extensive exchanges of broadcast programmes, but Mr Petrillo says no. His argument is, no doubt, his traditional one that the broadcasting of music from foreign countries is likely to rob' the members of his union of engagements. Apart' altogether from the international aspect to which he apparently gives no heed, it is an argument that can work both' ways. ■ New Zealand, for example, has in recent years heard from local stations recordings of American musical programmes which, presumably, have benefited American performers. If Petrillo chooses to close the door, completely on programmes from overseas, he cannot complain if other nations adopt a similarly nationalistic view, and decline the American article. Not for nothing did Petrillo’s Italian parents bestow on their child the second name of Caesar, because his career is example of an autocratic manner only excelled by the European dictators. He has become a power in his land through the most dictatorial methods witnessed -in the Western World. His work in organising the musicians was creditable, because they were of the artistic class who have been notoriously the victims of capricious public support. But having secured better conditions for his members, Petrillo has been unable to prevent a sense of power from going to his head. In recent years he has fought extraordinary battles. Not satisfied with th© affiliation of 130,000 members in his own union, he decreed that the concert artist 6 of high standing who were members of the American Guild of Musical Artists should join his federation or be debarred from playing with union men, making records, or broadcasting. When he won his point, he ordered that two_ of his illustrious new members, the violinists Zimbalisf and Szigeti, should not fulfil their engagements with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which had long remained outside his ranks. That and other rulings brought in the Boston Orchestra. Then a long fight developed with the gramophone companies over royalties to performers, and for more than two years that large industry was brought to a standstill until it also capitulated. More recently, Petrillo has ruled that only musicians should, be employed in broadcasting studios in the technical work of playing gramophone records. He lias gone from success to success, but there have been many murmurs of Federal Government action against the dictator, and it is possible that his latest order may lead to a concerted effort on the part of all those who have old scores to settle.