Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-19
NOT THE MARINE BAND
MUSICIANS UNION ADMIT HAv-
ING MADE MISTAKE.
Sylph Aggregation Took Part in Alex
andria Parade-The Protest
at White House.

The members OF the Musicians Local
Union, No. 161, admit they were mistaken
yesterday when they made a statement
which appeared in The Star that the
Marine Band had taken the place Of the
National Guard Band Of this city in the
firemens parade at Alexandria, at a lower
rate of pay than the guard bandsmen
were to receive.
1--WE want to be fair" said Mr.. E. c.
Linden. secretary of the musicians union,
today. land I will tell you how the mis-
take was made. The Sylph Band, stationed
at the Washington navy yard. and not the
United States Marine Band, which, we
understand. furnished music for the Alex
andria parade at the lower figure men
toned. Now the Sylph Band and the Ma
rine Band wear similar uniforms, and when
we learned that "a marine band from the
navy yard had gone to Alexandria, we
naturally concluded it was the Marine
Band over which Lieutenant Santelmann
presides, on the ground that all marines
look alike. The members of the union hon
estly believed the Marine Band had taken
the place of the National Guard Band and
this belief was strengthened when Lieuten-
ant Santelmann was seen yesterday after
noon down town in uniform.
Filed Protest.
A committee consisting of Secretary Lin
den and Vice President L. r. Boyd pro-
ceeded to the White House later in the
afternoon and entered a protest with tile
secretary to the President, Mr.. Loeb,
against enlisted military and naval bands
men being permitted to enter into COM
petition with union musicians. 1t was be-
1eVed up to the last moment that the Ma
r1ne Band was actually in the parade.
1t was afterward learned that the Sylph
naval band of this city, the naval band OF
the Portsmouth, Va, navy yard and the
4th Band, Corps of Artillery, had con-
tracted with the Alexandria celebration
committee and would participate in the
firemen's parade in competition with or
ganiZed union bandsmen.
Mr.. Loeb listened to the complaint
against the military and naval bands, but
said the committee had come too late, as
the procession at Alexandria was in prog
ress at the time.
I'VE protested" said Vice President
Boyd, ION the basis of President Roose-
Velts order al the time of local strike at
theater in this city, several months ago,
when he announced that members of the
Marine Band, or any other naval or mill
tary band would not be allowed to take
the places of the striking union musicians"
The members of the Musicians Union are
indignant at what they term violation
by the bands of President Roosevelts ex-
press order, and they declare the matter
will be given serious consideration at the
next meeting of the union, September 4,
unless a special meeting Is called before
that time.
Members of the mUicians' union state
that they had no intention of rejecting
upon the Alexandria committee in regard
to the participation of the military and
naval bands in the firemen's parade, as
the bands came with the organizations from
other places. This, they admit, placed the
matter beyond the control of the Alexan-
dria authorities.