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JUNB 15,
THE MUSIC TRADE
1918
REVIEW
WHY MUSIC IS AN ABSOLUTE ESSENTIAL
By CHARLES K. HARRIS
For quite a time after we entered the war,
music was described as a "non-essential" as a
great many of our worthy citizens said, "What
good is it anyway, can't see how it's going to
help win the war; we can make better use of
paper and'inks, printers and engravers." Even
in the United States Senate as well as in Con-
gress practically the same thought prevailed for
a time.
Suddenly, out of a clear sky, like a warning
from heaven, came a letter from General Persh-
ing, sending for a sdng leader, to come over
and teach the American boys how to sing songs;
then again the United States bands, which con-
tained only twenty-eight men were raised to
fifty men; the War Department authorizing the
following:
"More music is to be provided in the Ameri-
can army. The general staff has ordered that
each regiment's band shall be increased from
twenty-eight to fifty musicians. Band leaders
will be made first and second lieutenants ac-
cording to whether they have had five years'
military experience as band leaders. To the
regimental band of twenty-eight pieces will
be added two band sergeants, two band cor-
porals, four musicians, first class, six musicians,
third class. The enlisted personnel will be
raised by transfer, enlistment and draft. Be-
sides enlarging the bands, the general staff
has decided to create a bugle and drum corps
for every infantry regiment. The quartermaster
general has been instructed to increase the
initial music purchase allowance for each newly
recruited band from $100 to $200 and to in-
crease the quarterly allowance from $15 to $45.
Orders covering the changes have gone out
from the adjutant general's office. To provide
also for the same number of band sergeants,
band corporals and musicians of the first,
second and third classes in each coast artillery
corps band and the engineer band."
I guess that's going some for music, which
has been claimed right along as a "non-essen-
tial"—as I have always stated, and the facts will
always remain, music is as essential to help win
this war as powder, shot, men and cannon, for
the reason that it helps to cheer and encourage
the boys who are in training, as well as those
that are over on the other side. Just read the
Chas. K. Harris
daily reports of the heroism of our boys, as
they go into battle with a song upon their lips
—a song perhaps which makes them fight to win.
Take the celebrated Scotch Kilties, what would
they do without the bag pipes playing at the
head of each regiment, even into the thickest
of the fray. What would the French do with-
out their "Marseillaise," and the English with
out "Rule Britannia," the Americans with-
out their "Star-Spangled Banner," and the hun-
dreds of new inspiring songs which the Ameri-
can composers have furnished to our boys to
brighten and cheer them on their way? War
would indeed be a dreary, God-forsaken tragedy,
without the catchy, inspiring melodies contained
in the popular songs of to-day. Then again,
why is the Government opening up and owning
their own theatres? Because they have seen the
light—they are commencing to realize that with-
out music and song, dance and entertainment,
training in camps would be a dreary exhibition
indeed. They know that music, singing and
fighting go hand in hand.
Show me the singing nation, and I will show
to you the victorious and unbeatable nation.
Just supposing the Government had forbid-
den song writers to write any music during
the period of the war. What would have hap-
pened? Just this: every music printing plant
in the United States would have been com-
pelled to close up shop, throwing out of em-
ployment thousands of pressmen, engravers,
plate-makers and printers, as well as closing up
every music publishing house in the United
States. It would have meant also the closing
of every vaudeville theatre throughout the coun-
try, again throwing out of employment thou-
sands of legitimate singing artists, performers,
musicians, electricians and countless stage hands.
Then again, what about the phonograph and
musical roll companies, who get out new rec-
ords and new word and music rolls every month
and who have millions of capital invested in
their business? They would be forced to close
up if the music publishers could not furnish
them with new, up-to-date sheet music. The
same applies to the piano manufacturers, who
also have millions of dollars invested in their
business—what would be the good of a piano,
without a sheet of music to play? So you see,
the more you look at it, the more you wonder
why sheet music should have been called "non-
essential" at any time.
(Continued on page 7)
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