Notes

Bug. In Cincinnati's Zoological Gardens, Contralto Bernice Mershon opened her mouth to emit Alan-a-Dale's part in an outdoor performance of Robin Hood. Past her gleaming teeth, into the warm, dark cavity of her throat, flew a bug. Contralto Mershon shuddered, swallowed, sang on. When she could get offstage she chewed a mint, gulped some medicine, gasped: ". . . the biggest sacrifice I ever made for Art!"

Sousa's March. Lieut.-Commander John Philip Sousa & Band opened their 37th season with a concert on Atlantic City's steel pier. For ten weeks they will tour the country, beginning at the dedication of Foshay Tower in Minneapolis. Bandmaster Sousa, 74, has swung his baton a half-century. Today he is keen-eyed, grey-haired, martial. Gone is the pointed black beard which used to punctuate his face on billboards. Before a concert he pulls on a new pair of white kid gloves, afterwards peels them off, autographs them for lady admirers. To aspiring young bandmasters he says: "Do not be obscure. ... It will ruin your work." To embryo musicians he says: "Mastery of the harmonica lays the foundation for a musical career."

Lown v. Vallee. One Bert Lown, jazz orchestra manager, sued Hubert Prior ("Rudy") Vallee, idolized radio love-singer, for breaking a 50-50 partnership Lown says they had. Lown said he started Vallee on Broadway ,and "trained him to put a certain sob-like tone in his voice which . . . has proved one of the main sources of his present singing popularity." Replied Sobber Vallee: "The suit is too preposterous to discuss."