Musicians Stranded in Seattle After Labor Dispute
Two orchestra members of the Shay Opera Company find themselves out of work and funds after requesting their pay.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
SEATTLE, March 18—Because they intimated that it was a long time between pay days and that they would like to witness the distribution of pay checks, Gennaro Unasso and Ernesto Claudio, members of the orchestra of the Shay Opera Company, say they were discharged. They are now in Seattle, far from home, and nearly out of money. Unasso is a counter basso artist and Claudio is a violinist. They claim their contract stipulates that they must be returned to New York in as good condition as they were when they left. On a train bearing the company to Bellingham, the manager pointed out the two musicians and stated they were no longer with the company. They were forced to pay their own fare and were left with little money. They have sought the advice of the Italian consul and may move to attach the company's equipment to satisfy their claims.
“Because they intimated that it was a long time between pay days... they say they were discharged.”
This 1904 labor dispute over withheld wages and contractual travel obligations mirrors the ongoing struggles of modern touring performers and gig workers to secure basic protections against predatory management.
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