Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-03-29
STOES BAND
"HAS QUIT"

How many of our citizens have
awoke to the realization that Danyille
is practically without band and that
StOes famous organization which came
into existence when the oldest of our
residents We're young and which in the
long interim has reflected so much
credit upon our town, in the face of
difficulties too great TO surmOunt has
been Obliged to suspend.
In fully explaining the status of af-
fairs which brought about the result
it might be well to let the representa-
tives Of the band tell their own story.
Arthur Foulk, late leader of the baud.
discussed the matter with a News rep
resentative yesterday 1t seems to be
the old trouble, which stated in a nut
she'll is that the town fails to support
the band in any adequate way and that
it has been able to keep its head above
water only after a hard struggle and
at the expenses of personal sacrifice by
its members
Mr.. Foulk stated that if the band
were furnished with quarters and was
thus relieved of running expenses the
members could very easily stand the
loss of time required for practice, etc.
In the past rent for room, fuel and
light has averaged some twelve dol
lars per month. To meet the running
expenses the members of the band have
always faced the alternative of reach
ing into their pockets and making
personal contribution or of maintain
ing a series of dances or of giving
their time and labor in some other way
to raise the money needed Either horn
of the dilemma imposed burden up
on the band members, which they feel
they should not be asked to bear.
One year ago the band met expenses
by giving series Of dances in the
armory during the winter, but Mr..
Foulk stated that in many cases with
the members this meant the expendi-
ture, or what was equal, the loss of
money. Some by playing at night were
incapacitated for work next day and
laid off on that account, while others
who worked at night in assisting the
band were unable to fill their places
in the mill The experience on the
whole was so unsatisfactory that dur
ing last summer the members with
common consent decided to repudiate
the dances. At the same time the mem
bers were not willing to make them
selves responsible for the Eana rEnnmi%" Me- =
ponsUs " 4fIUn meant that these would
have TO come from some other source.
Last fall the members placed them
selves clearly on record as unwilling
to drag along in the old way any long
er and declared as an ultimatum that
unless the town came TO the bands res
cue to the extent of liquidating the
cost of rent, light and fuel the band
would give up the struggle Mr.. Foulk
said the band took up its quarters in
the Lotier building opposite the post
office and for couple of months con-
Quoted practice there. Meanwhile
there was no indication that the pub
lie intended to respond favorably and
then to use Mr.. Foulk 5 own terse eX-
preston, the band decided to quit. 3"
This does not imply that the band
has gone out of existence. Mr.. FOulk
says the members can not see their
way clear to continue at the expense
of so much personal sacrifice, but that
if the townspeople will come to their
rescue and help them out a little they
will be glad to resume business at the
old stand. He takes the view that if
the matter were properly taken up the
money needed for running expenses
could be very easily raised by popular
subscription. 1t would not require a
very large contribution from our bust
ness people to raise the comparatively
small sum needed. Besides some per-
son might be found generous enough
to grant the band use gratuitously of
quarters, suitable for practice.
Meanwhile the band has no plans for
the future the members are simply
waiting