All for Love

A month ago bunchy, belligerent James Caesar Petrillo, president of thg A.F. of L.'s American Federation of Musicians, lolled back in his well-cushioned swivel chair and dictated a letter to the radio networks.

"You will possibly recall," said he, "that during the war the Federation waived its objections to network broadcasts emanating from foreign countries, even though music for these programs was furnished by musicians who are not members of the American Federation of Musicians.

"We considered this a necessary wartime measure to promote good will. . . .

"However, now that the war is over, we believe that we should get back to normal as rapidly as possible. Therefore, will you kindly discontinue the broad casting of any musical programs emanating from foreign countries effective December 31."

Last week, when the National Association of Broadcasters made the letter public, U.S. radiomen knew they were indeed approaching what Boss Petrillo considers normalcy. They were not badly worried: the loss will make no financial difference, since all foreign musical programs were carried on a sustaining basis. It would stop only two major shows: Atlantic Spotlight, on NBC, and Transatlantic Call on CBS. When NAB suggested that the order might stop Christmas and Easter broadcasts from the Vatican and Jerusalem, Caesar Petrillo exploded. Said he: "We've never stopped religious programs at any time."

The next evening Caesar Petrillo appeared at an A.F. of M. party in the plush ballroom of Chicago's Blackstone Hotel. To reporters, all of whom are suspect to him, he snapped: "We're just trying to keep these foreign musicians from getting our jobs. Look at the tariff laws.. . . Look at the immigration law. Why the hell should the musicians be suckers?"

With that he scurried up to the speaker's platform. His boys broke into cheers, kept right on roaring. The boss's chin quivered. Finally, Petrillo burst into tears. "I'm a soft touch," he sobbed, reaching for a beer. "Either fight or cry." Later he added an aside: "But we don't want any victories, or any fights. We want to love."

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