The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1909-09-16

Thompson's National News Bureau
Washington, D. c., Sept. 15.-
Prof. Wade H. Hammond, who for
the past two years has been rem
dering excellent service as bandmas-
ter at the Western University, Quin-
daro, Kansas, has been appointed
regimental bandmaster OF the Ninth
Cavalry, stationed at Fort D. A. Rus
sell, Wyoming, His enlistment was
made without difficulty, and he pass
ed both the technical and physical
examinations In satisfactory fashion,
undergoing the most rigid tests with
ease.
Prof. Hammond made an enviable
record as musician during his
term as bandmaster at the Western
University, and DR.. w. T, Vernon,
president Of the school andReglster
Of the Treasury at Washington, pro-
nounces him the finest bandmaster
he has ever seen anywhere in the
country. Prof. Hammond drilled
the Western'R celebrated band so
thoroughly that when it gave a
special concert at the State Capital
in Topeka, for the entertainment Of
the members Of the State Legisla-
ture, the Increased appropriation
which had been asked for the sup
port OF the institution, went through
with whirl.- The Governor and
other state officials were loud in
their praise Of DR.. Vernon's uplift-
ing school and seemed never to tire
Of hearing the: artistic selections
rendered by the young men under
Prof. Hammond's direction.
Although DR.. Vernon confesses re-
greet that he must love the services
of 80 valuable an instructor In music
as Prof. Hammond has proven him
self to be, when the chance came for
the young man, it Is reported that
he warmly interested himself in
Prof. Hammonds behalf, giving him
that 4WhQle=souled. and enthusiastic
support for which he is noted. 1t
is understood that largely through
the endorsement and weighty intlu-
ence Of Register Vernon, Prof. Ham
mond secured the appointment The
new bandmaster has reported to his
regiment and Is now actively dis
charging the duties Of his position.
This makes the fourth appoint
ment of Negro as chief musician
in the United States Army, filling
all Of the places at the disposal of
the four Negro regiments. NEGRO
bandmasters for Negro regiments"
was an issue raised three years ago
with the War Department by En-
NETT J. Scott, private secretary to
Booker T. Washington. On his own
motion he took, up the matter with
the then Secretary Taft, making a
strong argument that the Negro mu-
sician should have an opportunity
to apply the musical talent that was
in him, and that competent cofored
men would be in q position to rem
der better service to regiments Of
their own race than could be rem
dercd by white leaders. Secretary
Taft was impressed with the idea
and Immediately gave it his appro-
val. But, the War Department
could find no vacancies to which
Negro bandmasters could be assign
ed. The white leaders were not
willing to be displaced, without pro-
vision being made for them else
where. Nothing daunted by the de-
lay, Mr.. Scott worked away, finally
bringing the direct influence Of Pres
ident Roosevelt to bear upon the
situation, In November of 1908 the
President issued an order directing
that the Negro regiments should be
provided with Negro bandmasters,
and that as rapidly as vacancies oc-
cured in such offices in white reg
iments, the white men at the head
Of the bands in the Negro regiments
to be transferred to them and Ne
groes appointed in their stead. At
that time there was but one full
fedged Negro chief musician in the
Army. Ebert Williams, formerly
leader Of the band at Tuskegee In
stitute, had been appointed to the
18th infantry just short time be-
fore this agitation began in earnest
Now, with Wade II. Hammond as
chief musician Of the 9th Cavalry
William Polk at the head of the band
Of the oath Infantry and james A
Thompson similarly assigned in the
10th Cavalry, the quota Is complete
and Mr.. SCOTS sublime mission has
been fulfilled. Through the efforts
Of unselfish Negro leaders, the ca
pable musician of color has come in.
to his own in the army establish
ment Of the United States.
1.-THE Outlook" always read Will
interest by the literateurs of the na
tjonal capital, Is especially sough
after just now. The last number o.
this popular publication, September