Evening star., 1902-01-23
] Lsader Santelmann Before the House
Committee on Labor.
PLEA FOR =OBfSIDE ENGAGEMENTS
His Argument in Behalf of the
Force Under His Control.
MIR. SMITHS STATEMENT

1uiSSooAA lhat nv AAAs1ii
in the service of the United States, the
army and navy, whether a non-commission-
| ed officer, musician or private, shall be de-
tailed, ordered OF permitted to leave his
pest to engage in any pursuit, business or
performance in civil life for emolument,
hire or otherwise, when the same shall in
terfere with the customary employment
| and regular engagement of local civilians
| in their respective arts, trades or profess
| sions. Lieutenant William H. Santelmann,
| leader of the Marine Band, and Walter +.
Smith, second leader of the band, appeared
before the committee to argue against the
| passage of the resolution. In support of
| his position, Lieutenant Santelmann filed
with the members of the committee brief
| containing the reasons why the resolution
should not become law.
Lieutenant SnnteImann's Brief.
| In his brief Leader Santelmann says the
| resolution is directed against the enlisted
| man, and adds:
| He is on the frontier. in the foreign ser
| vice, in the far northwest and the Antilles,
| helping to work out the policies which this
government has said must prevail; and
while he is working to crush out the foes
| of the government, at home 1t is sought to
| take away from him the privileges of earn
| ing little wage, in addition to his pay
VI S1o per HlOHlI, WHICH ItileSeo VI Tic ou-
| ties incident to the soldiers daily life.
| There is not a European government that
| does not permit the enlisted man taking
engagements outside the posts or barracks,
providing these engagements do not inter-
| fere with his presence at drill, guard mount
or dress parade.
Should our government, which is the
peer of any nation in arms, do less? But
what about the enlisted men, members of
the several army bands of the United
States, stationed at posts, some far away,
others near to cities and towns throughout
the United States? In many cases these
bands contain the only musicians in the
neighborhoods, and they are called upon AZ
all times outside their regular band duties,
to furnish the music for communities that
would otherwise be without the refining III
f1uences that accompany the musicians art
All over the west, north and south army
posts are scattered, to which regimCnta1
bands attached, and if this resolution
should prevail the members of these army
bands would be compelled to refuse engage
ments except of charitable character
There are many representatives IL both
houses of Congress who appreciate how
difficult it is to secure music for entertain
ments, receptions, civic parades and other
entertainments of public character in
their localities, and the army band is called
upon to furnish the music, many commu-
mites being too small to support civilian
musicians. In the face of this weil-reccg-
nized condition of affairs, the passage Of
this resolution would work untold hai dsEIp.
Aimed at the Marine Band.
"It is not at the enlisted man" himself
that the resolution is really directed, how
ever; it is aimed at the Marine Band, and
by statute 1t is sought to compel it to re-
tire from the field Of taking private en-
gagements that certain civilian musicians
Of Washington may benefit. And the prin-
cipal reason for these attacks upon the Ma
rtne Band is shown in a letter from Owen
Miller. president Of the American Fedora
ton of Musicians Of st. Louis, to Samuel
Gompers, president OF the American FEEDER
alton Of Labor. and made part hereof. Mr..
Millers says: THE Marine Band receives
magnificent pay and allowances. sufficient
side business" And this brings me to an
open consideration OF what magnificent
pay" (D the members Of the band, which
have the honor to direct. receive. The
monthly pay OF f1rst-class musician in the
Marine Band is $50, while the monthly pay
of a second-class musician OF the band is
$50. In addition to this. they receive a
monthly allowance for playing at public
concerts during the summer and the White
House functions in winter, "a: this is not
all, however; the members of the Marine
Band receive $3.50 per month communication
Of rations, being the contract price at
which rations are served per man at the
Marine Barracks.
Foreign Governments Give Permission
There is not foreign government that
does not permit it's crack bands from taxi
ing concert engagements and going on
tours. Many Of the famous bands Of the
world have visited America and have been
received with ovations by our people; but
when I desired to play an enga cement in
or outside Of Washington we have been met
with protests from the local musical unions.
While the pay of the Marine Band had
been increased a few years ago, 1t is very
little If any better than that Of an army
band, for, as there are no public quarters
oNyotl 10 no fnr mo-, hx
barracks, they have to hire their own quar-
ters, and 20 per cent Of the band are
married men there are only a few who can
hire quarters for less than SIS a month,
and there are quite a number who are un-
able to secure proper quarters for less than
$40 to s25 rent month. In addition to this
question Of rent must be considered the
support of the family, which is quite con-
sideration, especially when the family Is
large and when attention is called to the
fact that the commuted ration which is re-
ceived from the government amounts to
only "a 80 a month at the present contract
price Of rations. From the foregoing it will
be apparent that it is absolutely necessary
for these men to earn something besides
their regular pay Even with that it re-
quired an amount of diplomacy to keep
such men we have at present in the
band, for a great deal Is expected of them,
as not only do they perform their military
duties at the barracks but also at all of
the official functions at the White House.
desire to state, in connection with the
matter, that there are number OF men
in the band who received in civil life from
$35 to $50 per week with various prominent
bands and orchestras throughout the coun-
try. 1t is such men as these that are nec-
essary to keep up the high standard of
proficiency which is expected Of the band
which performs its duty at the White
House, where it is subject to criticism by
the highest officials Of the United States
as well as the representatives of every
civilized country. These men who help to
keep up the standard of efficiency are the
men who will not stay in the service il
they are deprived Of the little money they
now earn outside the band"
Mr. Walter Smiths Statement.
Walter F. Smith, the assistant leader of
the band, also includes a statement in the
brief fled by Director Santelmann, which
says, in part:
LAS master workman of Washington Mu-
sical Assembly 1t has been my duty to pro-
mote the interests of the musical profess
sion as whole. regardless Of clique or fac
tion. And to this end have made repeat
ed inquiry as to the real reason for barring
the enlisted men from membership in the
Musicians Union. Up to the present time
have received no logical explanation.
"It has been rule In the hus3n ffoi