St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 58

Tune Detective With an Ear for Truth Sigmund Spaeth, Noted Musicologist, Traced Song Hits to Their Sources f1 Eugenia Shcppard Our President Is Right on the Beat NEW YORK, Nov. 22 IT'S REASSURING to go to Washington and find out that this country is in the hands of such absolutely marvelous men. I felt better about fate of the orld after watching President Jotinson dance. 1 1 'A mmmmm doesn't Just dance; he Is the kind of man who dancH every dance and hardly likes to give up at the end of I party, as at the fecent White House dinner for Princess Margaret and Lord Btwwdon. My feeling about men who dance well Is that they're sure to be positive, fun-loving and responsive to other people.

The word to describe President Johnson's dancing is thorough. He Is no delicate tlptoer about the floor, but I teat awinger. When he li on the dance floor he is absorbed in his work and he gets good, healthy grip on his partner. He has built-in rhythm. President Johnian NEW YORK, Nov.

22 "WHAT THIS COUNTRY needs, in addition to a good five-cent cigar, is a lot of bad piano players, ukulele players, guitar players, and possibly saxophonists and trumpeters. The speaker was Sigmund Spaeth, and he was warming up to one of his favorite arguments that music, like baseball, tennis and golf, thrives on its amateurs rather than Its professionals. Spaeth, who was renowned as a "tune detective" on radio and television and ranked as one of the country's foremost gists, died here Nov. 11 after ft lone Illness. Even though he was 80 he had remained active as editor of the monthly, the Music Journal almost to the end.

A large man of Imposing presencehe topped I feet and the 200-pound -mark Spaeth possessed a kaleidoscopic array of talents to match his physique. He was talkative, shrewd and energetic! he once described himself as a "writer, broadcaster, lecturer, composer, arranger and general showman end entertainer." He was (ill of those, and more. He once was ft sports writer, and wrote both music and sports fof the old NeW York Evening Mail. He also worked on the New York Times and the Boston Transcript. HE WAS an English teacher and football coach, an athlete and an accomplished bridge player, too, but Spaeth's abiding love was music.

He was born in Philadelphia, the Bon of Adolph Spaeth, a Lutheran minister, and Harriet Reynolds Krauth Spaeth. Both parents were musical, and from childhood he played the piano, violin and other Instruments, besides singing in choirs and glee clubs. After graduating from Haver-ford College in 1905, he taught at Princeton University and qualified for his doctorate with a thesis on "Milton's Knowledge of Music." From 1910 to 1912 he taught English, music and football at Asheville, N.C., schools, then came to New York. He had saved $400 out of his teacher's pay, but had spent it summering in Europe. When he Sigmund Spaeth made ft profession of ft musical hobby.

terview nearly 20 years later, Spaeth called it a highly frustrating honor. "They never play it," he said. "It requires a bit of plugging." He helped many a struggling artist. He was among the first to recognize the genius of George Gershwin, whom he ad-Vised to devote himself to popular music first and then to turn his attention to more serious composing. As president of the Song Mart, a clearing house for amateur composers, Spaeth arranged for publication of many popular tongs and serious works.

And Is president of the National Association for American Composers and Conductors, chairman bf the National Committee for American Music and a member ef the National Music Council, he was indefatigable in advancing the cause of native American music. His own compositions included "DoWfi South," "My Little Nest," "Chansonet" and "Madrigal of May," for which he wrote the lyrics; a popular setting Of "Jabberwocky" for male Voices, and many arrangements of new and old songs, including "The Sailor's Songs of tlrief" ftnd the spiritual, "Oh, Yes." Spaeth was active in the movement to revive barbershop harmony. His book, "Barber Shop Ballads," is a standby, since It Contains not only many of the Old tunes but instructions as to how to smg them. It is the official ftongbook of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. AS A LECTURER Spaeth appeared in every major city of the country, giving talks not only to music devotees but to such varied audiences as physicians, manufacturers, teachers and lithographers.

He entertained at private parties lit the White House, gave children's programs at Carnegie Hall, conducted summer courses at the University of Hawaii, and filled apeaklng engagements at colleges til over the country. In line with his educational work, he served fts dean of the Wur-Htzer School of Music. His "The Common Sense of Music," first published in 1924, went through 20 editions. "The Art Of Enjoying Music" became a widely used college textbook. Other popular books included "Great Symphonies," "Great Program Music" and "Stories Behind the World's Great Music." An associate once said that Spaeth Wl "one of the few fortunate people to have turned a hobby into a profession." For that, American music is richer and American musicians are thankful.

on phase of his career that made him a nationwide figure and a fascinating entertainer. The preceding year he had directed ft program of piano Instruction, "Keys To Happiness," which brought 4000 fan letters a Week. On the strength of this he launched "Tune Detective," later adding "Song Sleuth." Spaeth traced current hits to their sources by separating songs into melody patterns ranging from two notes to the entire chromatic scale. By this method he determined that "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" actually came from Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu," and that "Yes, We Have No Bananas" was pieced together from bits of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," "My Bonnie," "I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls," "Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party" and "An Old-Fashiohed Garden." arrived here, he was almost Out of funds, so he rented hall bedroom oh Irving place which O. Henry had once occupied and tried to write fiction.

This proved unproductive, so he took a job as assistant literary editor for G. Schirmer, the music publisher. As ft writer, Spaeth had at his Command an encyclopedic knowledge of music, but he was shrewd enough to avoid pedantry. Consequently, his articles, while authoritative, were never heavy, being i enlivened by sprightly wit. His material found a ready acceptance not only by newspapers but by magailnes, and he became well known to readers of Harper's, Scribner's and the Saturday Evening Post.

At one time or another he was music editor for McCalPS, Life, the Literary Digest and Esquire. In 1931, when radio was rearing its heyday, Spaeth embarked the copyright expert Nathan Burkan, but Spaeth's client won, and Burkan later retained Spaeth tn several of his own suits, including the plagiarism case of "The Wreck of the Old '97," which WW finally decided In favor of the defendant Victor Talking Machine Co. Spaeth appeared in defense of Walt Disney when the song, "Some Day My Prince Will Come," was attacked as an Infringement of the Yale March, "Old Ell." He also helped Sigmund Romberg win a plagiarism suit Involving "The Desert Song." In 1942 he was called to St. Louis to testify In suit over the motion picture, "Frankle and Johnny." Frankle Baker, who contended that she was ths original figure In the barroom ballad, "Frankle and Johnny," accused Republic Pictures Corp. of defaming her the film and sought $200,000 damages Testifying for the defense, Spaeth insisted that the song was an American ballad long before Frankle shot hef sweetheart In 1899.

Spaeth sang several verses from the witness stand. The Jury ruled against Frankle. With all of his chores, Spaeth found time to become the author of "Our New York," which Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia proclaimed as the city's official song in June of 1940. In an in His research gave him ft wealth of material for lectures, books, articles and motion pictures. Eventually it took him into the law courts, where he became ft leading expert in suits Ihvolvlng copyright infringement or musical plagiarism.

Almost every song that attains hit status Is subject to at least the threat of a suit; lawyers call these "nuisance cases" and In the old days a settlement usually could be won from a publisher whenever a melodic similarity occurred. But this developed into such a racket that song publishers had to take their fight into court. This was where Spaeth's vast knowledge of music proved invaluable. USUALLY HE APPEARED for the defendant, since he believed that only rarely did a plaintiff have a Just case. He contended that most similarities in tunrs are accidental, and it is always possible to find identical melodic patterns in the public domain, unprotected by copyright.

He argued that circumstantial evidence had no place In a plagiarism action, and that actual imitation should be clearly proved. Spaeth's first appearance in this capacity, however, was on behalf of the plaintiff against the publisher of the song, "There's Yes, Yes In Your Eyes." The defense lawyer was No matter what rmisic is playing, he is right on the beat, and if that doesn't have political significance I don't know what has. Another thing I respect about the President Is his choice of partners. Naturally there Is his choice of I life partner, Lady Bird, who is a spirited dancer herself. At a party the President shows quick, sure In-- stinct for picking the prettiest girti In the prettiest dresses.

Who wants I fellow In the White House who Is above and beyond all thai? Mrs. Kirk (Ann) Douglas, Wife of the movie actor, was dancing away in the East Room the other night. She was feeling yery glamorous anyway, In crystal beaded ballgown from Mollie Parnis, when someone tapped her escort on the shoulder. It was President Johnson cutting In. "I suppose everybody tells you you're very pretty," he said.

"You really are Very pretty, you know." Wouldn't you know It? Just at that minute somebody else cut in. Take it from me, there are plenty of Washington beauties who are qualified to be belles of the ball. One of them is Joan (Mrs. Teddy) Kennedy. She Is 4 tall, willowy blonde with fine, regular features.

In the evening, at least, masses of blonde hair are arranged at we back of her head. Gentlemen who prefer blondes compare her favorably with her sister-in-law, Jacqueline. Mrs. Lloyd Hand Is a gorgeous girl who knows all about getting around at a party. The other night she was wearing one of those chic, long-sleeved evening dresses that are terribly limp but all over embroidered with shining beads.

There there's TV news commentator Nancy Dickerson, quite a beauty. She can wear a model-size Paris dress like the ankle-length crepe with a bead sunburst on the front that she picked up just as if it were ready-to-wear at Pierre Cardin's Paris salon. Though the President (S tall, he sometimes give the smaller girls a whirl on the floor. One of his little partners is apt to be Mrs. Jack Valenti, wife of his special assistant.

Mary Margaret Valenti is a doll fluffy blonde hair, big, blue eyes and a pretty smile. The white beaded dress with the bathing suit top (it's the very last word, really) that she was wearing the other night was designed by Geoffery Beene. You can't blame them with all that cutting-in going on, but the Washington girls aren't afraid to show that they are keen about men. Compared with them, the New York ladies at charity balls often behave as if they were frozen and preserved inside their diamonds. But then, you simply can't get most men to go to a New York charity ball, and there's no President to cut In.

Besides the President, there are plenty of other leading characters on the Washington scene who show a feeling for fashion that I hadn't expected. Vice President Humphrey, who quite lays down the law about what and how much Mrs. Humphrey buys, looked positively elegant In a pleated and ruffled dinner shirt. Asked where he got it or who gave it to him, he pleaded the Fifth Amendment. Justice Fortas's distinguished shirt was not only pleated but had a dainty little net ruffle down the front.

Texas Governor John Connolly was wearing almost identically the same Whipping Up Oodles of Place Mats By Helo'm Cruse that might have been missed and at the same time freshen my room. After the blinds had been washed and rehung, I took a clean cloth and dampened it with my favorite cologne. Just a few swipes and I had a spotless blind, plus a nice fragrance in my rooms. M. L.

GRAY Th New Tort ITfrald Tri)mn-Ptttt-DlsU'h tiMrul Hlwui 1 I 1 ft i'iiinmu E-jw Dear HeWse: ABOUT THE CUTEST place mats I have ever seen were made of white nylon net edged in white nylon lace. The edge of the net does not have to be hemmed, end anyone with a sewing machine can whip up a set of mats in about 20 minutes. Our church guild is making up oodles of these for our next bazaar. The profit the church makes is amazing, as the mats cost so little to make. We also bought some linen on sale at the remnant counter, made napkins and edged them with matching lace.

We cut the designs from the lace and ap-pliqued some to one corner of the napkins and place mats. This is a wonderful way to use scraps of lace. Our best seller was all white, but many persons have asked that we also make mats up in pink and blue to go with blond furniture. We dyed the white lace to match the net -because (ft was cheaper and since the lace is also nylon it does not require ironing. Lovely! Think Rich (in Helena Rubinstein presents the new lipstick and lip-gloss in one! (And oh, what it does to the colors!) Heloise Cruse place It with another.

I especially like the solid white, because I have white kitohert appliances, but the paper comes in many colors and designs to suit one's tastes. It also comes in "clear," which allows the design of the wallpaper to show through. CAROLE Dear Heloise: I JUST finished Washing my blinds and found ft Way to remove any water spots or dust shirt. The President and Mrs. Johnson's guest list for the Snowdon party was quite a miraculous mixture.

Everybody from both New York and Washington said so. I tell you, anybody who can get together a really good party these days-just the right combination of top brass, beauty, money and creative talent as any woman knows can manage anything else without ft bit of trouble. New tbrtt Herald Trtbun-Pot-blspatch Special Dijptc1 Joseph G. Molner, M.D. Arthritis Clinics DEAR DR.

MOLNER: Are there arthritis clinics that deal with the disease, Its causes and cures, and do they accept and treat arthritis sufferers? MRS. P.A.M. Your question is harder to answer than you might think. Where hai it been lit your life-this marvel oft lipstick that gives color such extra appeal? That lets your Hps live on i steady diet of rich crearrt. That glides on effortlessly, but never slides off.

Only now has It been possible to com' bine lip colorand lip gloss into one super stick-SUPER-RlCH LIPSTICK. Youlfind yourself peeping In mirrori to prove it's for real. Super-Rich Lipstick comes In Melted Rubles, Pink Brilliants, Gilded Peach and Rose plus a vault-full of other gems. All this richness justL.O Inigolden-weavame, i it HERE'S (he Ideal WJtGIFT" Heloise Diary Appointment Calendar! In your particular locality I don't know of such a clinic, probably within some hundreds of miles. This doesn't mean, however that there aren't capable physicians where you live.

Generally speaking, arthritis research clinics are in the larger cities and medical centers, but they do not accept all arthritis patients. They can't. There aren't enough clinics and there are too many pa 1. 1 I suggest that people buy ft good grade of nylon net. Some of ours was so flimsy that we did not want to use it.

READER Dear Heloise: 1 FIND that when I want to line ft pan with foil, 1 save time and have no accidental splits or tears in the foil if I turn the pan bottom -side -up and press the foil down smoothly to the outside of the pan with the flat of my hand. I then lift the molded foil from the outside and just drop it into the inside of the pan. So easy, and with a bit of practice, it is real speedy. MRS. L.

D. BRINSON Dear Heloise: I HAVE wallpaper behind my stove and always got grease spots which are usually not removableon it. Now I buy adheSivebacked plastic paper and apply it over the whole area. When I tire of one design, 1 re- Word History KIBITZER THE GERMANS noticed that the lapwing was a bird with an Insatiable curiosity. They also noticed that some people, like the lapwing, were extremely curious especially those people who gathered as spectators when some game was in progress and offered advice to the players.

The Germans called the lapwing "kiebitz," which was an imitation of the bird's cry. A meddlesome spectator was com i Hp! Dr. Molner Here's the lilral Sift for frlptid, relatives, brldie prliM i perfect lor anyone with liny hninrlllllll K-liediile. The new Helnldf 16 1)1 try Appointment Calendar! In Ilclolne'i lr6 Diary An-pnintnient Calendar, yon II find her latest household hints on beauty. recipes, menu planning, nnmettiak-ers ear tips, and special holiday hints.

Specially designed fot btuy linmrtiinkerj, this attractive, full-mini- 81411" hook in-eludes a Kreetlttf card register, holoon antldot chart, telephone, number register, sunt removal chart, and tloiens of helpful features, Offered now at only l.00 per ropy, this useful and entertaining guide makes an Meal inexpensive gift for any homemaker. Order one or more copies now on the special coupon belowl tients. Therefore, you'll find that they accept patients for whom they can do the most good, and this automatically means ft preference for younger ones, say under 40 or so. This does not Imply that older people can't be helped. They can.

But the younger ones are those who have acquired active arthritic diseases it Isn't Just one disease, you knoW-nd their joints have hot deteriorated from sheer Wearihg down. It is from these patients that we are likely to find out the most useful ways of treating arthritis. Local chapters of the Arthritis Foundation scattered around the country are an excellent source of information on what research is in progress and what clinics, if any, are available H. O. Bm '0, Uptown Slill St.

Piul. MlnoMott S5103 jr a nil -M Hf MMmmJhmimlmM XtM i 1W Maui li (H OD cop tih, ehcrk, mnntf crdtr) for rnpiM of tho HFl.fllf: i 1066 DIARY APPOINTMENT CAL- li ENDAR, I in a given area. A significant effort is being made through the ioundation to provide fellowships for physicians to study arthritis intensively with the Idea of having them establish clinics, or at any rate provide more care, in smaller and medium-size cities. As one person said, "We aren't golr.g to have clinics until we have the men especially interested and trained to run them." N'mnt I AdJrm pared to the bird and was called "kiebitzen." German Jews changed "kiebitzen" to "kibitzer" and introduced the word into the United States, where it is used to denote an onlooker who gives gratuitous advice, especially at card games. Cur Stita Zip 2D STOUIS POST'DISPATCH i J-.