Fiddlers Three

"I'm ready to face the music," cried James Caesar Petrillo, "and I don't mean amateur or foreign music."

The music was a possible $1,000 fine or one year's imprisonment for violation of the Lea ("anti-Petrillo") bill recently passed by Congress (TIME, April 15). The bill forbids any attempt to compel radio broadcasters to hire more people than they need. Contemptuous of the law of the land, Caesar ruled that Chicago's station WAAF, a one-kilowatt independent, should double its uncomplaining staff of three record librarians. When the station demurred, Caesar informed the three union members that they were henceforth on strike.

Then he summoned newsmen to his regal Chicago headquarters.

"If they don't want three more men to take care of the platters," puffed pillow-fat Petrillo, "they can well afford to hire three more musicians--an organist, a piano player and a fiddler.

"Congress is working for special interests . . . the National Association of Broadcasters ... big business and Wall Street. . . . The Lea bill was conceived in malice and anger resulting from one of the most expensive and bitter anti-labor propaganda campaigns in the history of our country."

Gathering wind, Caesar cast his eyes over the roomful of reporters. "How'm I doin', boys?" he crowed. Without pausing for reply, Caesar then admitted that there is one authority he would obey.

"I will fight the Lea bill right up to the Supreme Court," he cried. "Thank God for the Supreme Court!"

When Caesar had finished, a photographer asked for a fighting pose. Caesar thrust out a belligerent left, first carefully removing a chunky ring from his chubby little finger.

Obligingly, federal attorneys began an inquiry into the WAAF strike. Caesar departed for Florida.

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