Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-08

pairing all the evidence and placing same
before you, specifying cases where the Ma
rine Band has come in direct competition
unfairly, with the musicians of this District.
Il desire to call the attention OF the secre-
tary to the fact that the members or the
Marine Band receive the highest pay ana
allowance of any enlisted men OF the
United States of America. We do not be-
grudge them this. In fact, we would be
glad to give them more, If this is not deem
ed sufficient, and will do everything In our
made by the retired General Haywood. but
the fact remains. that this band receives
such pay and allowance that there Is abso-
lutely no excuse for them being allowed to
compete with civilians. AS have stated In
my previous communications, l am pre-
pared to state on my honor, and IL neces-
sary verify my statements by thousands OF
affidavits. that 80 per cent of the members
of our profession In the United States of
America, would only be too glad to accept
the pay and allowance granted the Marine
Band, and take OATH II necessary, or
make a contract that they would not come
I'VE believe that the Marine Band should
be a representative band Of the United
States Of America, and we/know that the
country Is rich enough to establish such
band and place it upon such basis that
they would not have to lower their dignity
by entering into the competitive field
against the civilian musicians. and we hope
to see that done by Congress-, and we Will
do all we can to persuade Congress to pro-
vide for the Marine Band in such a way
that they can secure the very highest mu-
steal talent in the country as a true repre-
sentative Of what military band should
be. representing the United States govern
ment."
President Kerngood's Statement.
Attached to the statement of Secretary
Miller is that of President w. q. Kerngood,
president of the local organization Of musi-
clans. who has direct charge of the con-
troversy in this city. His views, in brief,
follow;
'It would appear, Mr.. Secretary, as stat
ed by you in the presence of his excellency,
the President Of the United States, that you
were under the impression that the Marine
Band rendered service only on occasions OF
national Importance"
President Kerngood calls attention to a
number Of events nat Of national impor-
lance at which the Marine Band rendered
service in competition with civilian must
clans Continuing, the statement says:
1.-THE situation Of the civilian musician in
Washington is a deplorable one. inasmuch
as he Is obliged to face the competition of
the enlisted men in the United States
Marine Band, the Engineer Band and the
Cavalry Band stationed at Fort Myer Va.
This last has very recently been increased
by the establishment Of band at the navy
yard to still further usurp our rights as
American citizens and wage earners for
the protection of which we have appealed
to you and to his excellency, the President
Of the United States.
Propounds Query.
IT would respectfully present for your
consideration the following question: Have
these men, regularly enlisted In the service
of the United States government, the right
to enter into contract guaranteeing their
services at said hotel from 2 to 2:45 Pm.
$50 to $3.50 pm. and 1890 pm. to 1880
am? Civilian musicians will be at an OBJ
vious and gravely unjust disadvantage SO
long as enlisted men are relieved from the
duties for which they are engaged by the
government and supported by taxation in
order to fill this and similar engagements
at less than the union scale of wages.
Only once, to the knowledge Of this local.
did these enlisted men perform government
duty that conflicted with the hours Of play
ing at the hotels, that occasion being when
the Marine Band was ordered to the dedi-
cation ceremonies of the st. Louis EXPOSE
ton. Their hotel engagements were then
filed in accordance with private contract
by non-union substitutes from out OF town.
These men were necessarily excused from
such concerts at the White House, Capitol,
etc. as conflicted with their individual ana
independent employment.
your attention is respectfully invited to
the fact that musicians employed in the
theaters of Washington receive less wages
than in rs per cent of the cities Of CORE
spending size in the United States, and that
when II became known tnat we contem-
plated asking for an increase in salaries.
such would put US on an equal footing
with our brother musicians elsewhere, we
were informed that such action would re-
suit in our members being discharged and
their places being filled by members Of the
Marine Band, who could be secured by
telephone message to the barracks, and
who could, because of their regular income
from the government, afford to play at
rate of compensation of itself wholly in
adequate for the support of a man with
family"