Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-05
A REGRETTED INCIDENT
SELECTION OF MUSICAL AR AT
ANDERsoNs FUNERAL.
Bandmaster Did Not Realise Inap-
propriateness Of Playing "Always
In the Way"

So much comment has followed the pub
hcation of the story in the Manila news
papers to the effect that disrespect was
shown to the memory OF Private c. w. J.
Anderson Of the Marine Corps at his
funeral last March at OlonEapo through the
playing OF the air Always In the Way"
that the Navy Department has seen ft
to give out a formal statement OF the
facts az disclosed In the report OF court
Of inquiry upon which Is based a memo
randum for the use OF the Secretary OF the
Navy.
Anderson was drowned In the Kalaklan
river near the naval station March II, 1905.
His body was recovered early on the morn
ing OF March Is and buried that day.
Subsequently to the funeral there APP
peared In the Manila Cablenews an article
signed by A. L. Price, In which unfavor-
able comment was made concerning the
music rendered at Anderson's funeral. it be-
ing alleged that the march played was in
appropriate to the occasion and bore an
Objectionable and ridiculously suggestive
name Always In the Way and that its
use showed Indifference and disrespect on
the part Of the officers responsible for
the arrangements to the memory Of the
deceased.
On the 2lst of May 1908. board OF In
vestigat ton, ordered by Lieutenant Com
mander J. L. Purcell United States navy,
convened at the naval station Olongapo.
and inquired into the circumstances attend
ing the selection Of the music for Ander
sons funeral, and submitted report that
was received at the department on the 23th
OF June.
Capt. Buffers Testimony.
Capt. Smedley d. Butler of the Marine
Corps. adjutant OF the I'd Regiment of
Marines and post adjutant Of the station.
after declaring that every honor prescribed
by the naval regulations was carried out,
made the following statement before the
board:
ION the morning of the funeral I sent
for the acting drum major Of the post
band. Sergt. Walter Preston. 1 asked him
If the band could play funeral march and
ne said that they could not play the regular
funeral march, but that they had a march
which they could play in slow time and would
be suitable for the occasion I did not know
the name Of this march and did not recog-
nize 1t when played at. the funeral. After
the funeral, upon learning the name OF the
march. sent for Sergt. Preston and told
him what he had done. He informed me
that he did not realize that the march bore
such an inappropriate name; that there was
certainly no disrespect intended to the
dead This band Is composed entirely OF
volunteers and plays very few pieces,
mostly marches and waltzes. There was
absolutely no disrespect intended upon the
part OF the commanding officer or anyone
or his officers or men. 1t was simply a
most unfortunate incident and much re-
GREETED by every officer and man at this
post. Over FIVE hundred men attended the
funeral. The music, had 1t borne differ
ent name. could not have been judged Of
fensfve as it was played In very slow,
funeral time"
Q.-'Did you hear any adverse comment
upon the selection OF music played. prior
70 tne appearance OF an article In the Ma
Mia Cablenews signed by "A. L. Price with
regard therefor"
A.-"Absolutely none"
Feeling Of the Men.
Several enlisted men were questioned by
the court and their testimony was unani-
mously to the effect that not only had no
dtsrespect been shown Anderson's memory
by the music played or the arrangements as
planned and carried out, but on the con-
trary that the honors attending his burial
were marked and such as would be crafty
Ing to the friends and relatives OF any man
in the service.
AS illustrative Of the sentiment among the
enlisted personnel, the statement Of George
Kesmodel, quartermaster sergeant Is given:
Q.-Were You on duty at this post at the
time and Immediately after the funeral OF
the late Private Anderson, United States
Marine Corps, who was drowned in the
kalaklan river on March IT, 1902"
'A-Yes, sir"
''Q.-shortly after the funeral of Private
Anderson did you read an article and poem
In the Manila Cablenews,' signed by one
A. L. Price, with regard therefor"
"A.-Yea, SIR
"Q-What was the feeling among the
non-commissioned officers Of the post with
regard t. that articleT'
"A.-To the best Of my knowledge and be-
lief the non-commissioned officers were all
indignant at that article"
''Q.-Do You know anything Of a circular
letter being drafted ny them.in reply to the
AYES. SIR. A letter was drafted by
Gunnery Sergeant John Costello"
'Q.-What was the nature Of that letter.
Alt was denying the statement of the
article In the 'Cablenews.' We all stated
that we knew that we were going to have
as good funeral as the late Private An
dersen we would be very wen satisfied and
be paid to lis after our death"
Report Of the Board.
The board reported Its testimony In the
following language:
"The funeral ceremonies of the late Pri-
vate C. w. j. Anderson, United States Ma
rine Corps. were conducted strictly In ac-
cordance with the United States navy regu-
lations governing such ceremonies, except
that while the regulations require as an
escort for the remains of a private soldier
only eight men in charge Of corporal, in
this case the entire command of about 500
men and all the commissioned officers In
the post attended the ceremony. The selec-
ton of the music played was made by the
aeting drum major OF the band, Sergeant
Corps, now en- route to the United States.
The music played, while having an map
propriate name, was the piece best suited
to the occasion which the band could play
bai rppArfnfra hainQ limited There ua