Music: Petrillo Strikes

When the American Federation of Musicians elected James Caesar Petrillo its president (TIME, June 24), U. S. radio and phonograph men thought nervously of Chicago. As longtime boss of the Chicago musicians' local, Jimmie Petrillo has nourished a violent and magnificent dislike for anything that keeps his musicians from getting jobs. Or, at least, from getting pay checks.

Chicago was a pioneer with the "standby" system, by which outside union men playing in its radio stations must either join the union local or pay a thumb-twiddling local musician to stand by. Jimmie Petrillo...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!