Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-02
COL. HEYwOoD AND HIS BAND.
The Commaudant Of the Marine Corps En-
lists in the Music war.

lists in the M usic War.
Col Haywood, commandant Of the United
States marine barracks, has entered the lists as
q champion Of the Marine Band in the contro-
versy that has arisen in regard to the furnish
ing of music at the inaugural ball He visited
headquarters yesterday and today and pleaded
his case most earnestly with every member
Of the committee on music that he could fnd
He also argued with Col Berret, Mr.. Norris
and other leading spirits in the management Of
the Inauguration ceremonies. A STAR reporter
met him on his rounds and asked him the occa-
sion OF his activity. He said he was seeing tho
committee solely in the interest OF
the Marine Band. ~ have heard with
considerable surprise and more indignation, he
said, "that certain outside parties are trying to
euchre the band out Of its rights in the inaugu-
ration ceremonies, especially Mt the ball. The
Marine Band has always oficiated on these oc-
casions, and the justice and propriety Of its
doing SO has never before been questioned.
But now some outside parties, inspired solely
by mercenary motives, have presented them
selves and are making the strongest kind of
bid for employment on this occasion. The
pressure in their behalf was 80 great that the
committee could not put them off, and as a
last resort, WIS compelled TO open the privilege
to general competition. This is not SO lad "a
IL mlkut DC, Us Tue uhIliic DaIu Ii prepared
to render the service required at tho lowest
reasonable expense, and that their music would
be as good as that Of any other similar organ
ization is beyond dispute The competition in
rates is not 90 bad as the seeming admission
tina. the matter ia open to competition. Why
the band belongs here's is in fact the Presi-
dents own band and has always taken prom
inent part in his inauguration. 1t strikes me
that the ball would not be complete IL the
Marine Band was not there. To me it looks
like the height Of presumption for an outside
band to attemptto usurpthe traditional functions
of the Marine Band on these occasions. If they
succeed in their plans in this instance suppose
they will next undertake to replace the Marine
Band ut all the social functions Rt,the White
House and subordinate and humiliate that
band in other ways until it loses entirely its
present distinction as the representative mil
itary band of the country. While the band is
national in its organization, it is thoroughly
local in its interests and sympnthies. Why, the
members volunteered their services at the
charity ball Tuesday night and have
shown commendable public spirit
on other occasions. The Newspaper men
donated their services at the last entertainment
for the benefit of the Press Club at Albaugh's
and also went over to New York and played at
the Press Club entertainment without pay or
expectation or reward. Their salaries are small
ard their duties sometimes extremely oncrous.
They don't have very many opportunities TO
make money on the outside, and if they are
shut out Of the inaugural ball they will have
still less. And then think how their reputation
will suffer should an outside band take their
place on this occasion. 1t would be
impossible to make the mass of peo-
pie believe that cheapness and not
merit governed the selection. The honor
and glory that would attach to a band in Chi
caso, New York any outside city selected for
this service, with it's resultant pecuniary re-
wards. would justify their giving their services
for nothing almost l mention this phase OF
the case merely to show how the call for bids
may work to the apparent disadvantage of the
home band. Its reputation being already made
it requires resort to such chicanery. As
have already said, there can be no question as
to the wisdom in the selection OF the Ma
rine Band on the score Of merit. 1t is head
and shoulders above all possible competitors
in musical ability and if the competition was
based on that ground alone the engagement OF
the Marine Band would be assured. admit
that l am personally interested in the welfare OF
the Marine Band but looking at the case from
a standpoint outside Of the service and simply
q resident of Washington it seems to me that
unless 1t can be shown that the band is mu-
sicaliy incompetent or that its prices are ex-
orbitant it is entitled to the first consideration
in an occasion like this, where the reputation Of
the city and its capabilities are at stake"