The Washington times., 1903-09-20
Second Cavalry
Grdu Horse Band

always attended by the cele-
brated Gray Horse Band" which en-
toys a distinction only less than that of
the Marine Band. Its musicians are
equally well trained, and the appear
ance of the band in public is no less
distinguished than that of its chief com
petitor in the navy. The leader OF the
band is Rudolph Berliner. who achieved
great success as a bandmaster In
Cleveland. Ohio. before giving his ser
vices to the United States Army. He
was a familiar figure in musical circles
in the City by the Lake years ago, his
faultless dress when he appeared before
Cleveland audiences violin in hand is
remarked upon there to this day. He is
not so distinguished looking in kahkt
uniform and cavalry boots astride big
gray horse. but his abilities as a mu-
stefan shine with undiminished luster in
the new position.
The mounted band has long been a
picturesque ngufe in military affairs. the
and Numbered about with the horsemen
almost since the erusades. The full
brass band in the saddle can hardly
claim much over century OF age as an
institution. In the economical Ameri-
can army establishment il is a develop
ment of the days since the civil war.
But with the historic hussar, Dragon.
uhlan. lancer and cuirassier regiments
abroad their bands are of more ancient
date and have come TO be as sacred an
institution as the colors and the mess
plate.
Abroad the human instinct. retained
after some fashion by the most civil
lied. that leads the savage to barter FL
his possessions for bright eolored glass
beads, is recognized for the benefit Of
the army. Tommy Atkins. Hans. CASTOR.
Pedro and PietrO alike have gay uni
forms with slashes OF gold braid to
swagger about the streets in. il less
suicidal clothing Is worn in the held
Kipling insists that a regiment is like
woman. and government abroad treats
them alike. humoring the whims CT
each. SO money is spent on regimentaI
bands The Drum Horse OF the White
Hussars." for Instance. was an expeu
sive luxury but he seems TO have been
worth the money.
The connection all this has with Ru-
dolph Berliner. Cleveland musician and
present bandmaster of the Second Cav
airy. lies in the fact that this Govern
ment proceeds along other lines with its
army and the equipment Of its bands
is as plain as the fatigue uniforms OF
it's soldiers Under such circumstances
the band will be about what the band
master can make II believe It Is At Job
lot rates of $2.65 per instrument. or less
hundreds of volunteer bands were equip
ped for service during the Spanish
American war.
After their muster out these instru-
ments. bought by army contract. were
dumped IN an arsenal at Philadelphia
When a bandmaster in the regular army
makes reauisition for an instrument.
the night Waterman of this ars 1nal
picks Il out for him from the pile.
There is a big problem for infantry
bandmasters who are ambitious to in
duce enlisted men on small pay to buy
for themselves good instruments and
TO learn to play them; there is field
enough for work TO weld the resulting
willing volume of sound into reason
able harmony and 10 get a band to-
gether and to stay together that will
attract attention and a few outside en-
gagements.
When this stage is reached the band
master can hope for reputation and
the men for good incomes outside of
their pay. But the road TO this goal is
hard enough TO travel for an infantry
bandmaster. He who would lead a
cavalry band must first teach his men
not 10 fall off their mounts, as well,
they are jolted in the saddle.
a good part OF all this BerIiner has
accomplished with his Second Regiment
Band, and the rest seems fairly well
in prospect. Within the organization
he has built up an orchestra that is
gaining a reputation beyond army cir
cles. The officers and men of the Sec
ond like him and his work and do not
hesitate 10 say So They take great
prlue IN the Dduu-
The latest achievement OF the CIevc-
land boy is music for the saber drill
of the cavalry. This has often been
attempted, but never successfully. Ber-
liners music has been given several
trials which have awakened the enthu-
siasm of the Seconds officers. and the
music may be adopted for the regula-
tons
There are two features OF American
military bands that illustrate the in
difference shown their welfare by the
Government The bandmaster in the
regular army is a on-commissioned Of
hcer and The mounted bands have no
kettledrums. The second fault. serious
as the lack of violins in an orchestra.
will hardly be remedied under the pres
cnt system of appropriations.
The army bandmasters will try at the
coming session Of Congress to secure the
social rank Of commissioned officers. AL
though they will not try for commits
sions. For long time the veterinary
surgeons of the mounted troops ranked
as sergeants. but they have been given
the social rank Of commissioned officers
although they have neither the commits