Arizona republican., 1909-07-06
THE INDIAN SCHOOL BAND.

To the Editor of The Republican:
 Sir-In referring to the article in
 this issue of your paper entitled
 Phoenix Elks Strike snag," permit
 me to express an opinion which, be-
 lieve. win meet with general approval
 of local musicians and their friends
 While the Phoenix Elks are to be
 congratulated upon the stand they
 have taken ;n not allowing themselves
 to be dictated to- and l, for one,
 would be delighted to see them win
 their point for this oTie reason. yet.
 there is another phase of the situation
 to be considered. and which is by no
 means a minor detail It appears that
 the Elks lodge of Phoenix has en-
 gagged the services Of the Indian
 School Band to furnish the music for
 their division of the parade. I say the
 Indian band is engaged" although
 that is not entirely correct either,
 for when ones services are engaged
 there is to be some remuneration
 made by the recipient Since the members of the Indian School band can accept no pay for their services they cannot properly be said to be engaged" Permission had first to be obtained from the government to al low the Indian band to assist in the celebration in Los Angeles.
 Now, mind you, l am no believer in unions" and I maintain that so long as one has a commodity to offer and is willing to part with it at any consideration agreeable to another party it is nobody's business. But and this word should be printed in large type and several times under scored. in this case I think an injus- tice is being done to worthy musi- cians (not depreciating the musical ability of the Indians) who have spent much time and money on their musi- cal education, and depend largely up- on their music as a means of liveli- hood Phoenix has two good bands aside from the Indian School organ iZation, including among their mum Der members of the Phoenix lodge B. P. O. Elks. Of course, if the ser vices of either of these two organiza- tions had been engaged it would have meant a very Considerable outlay. be- sides transportation and other eX- penses. Well, what of it! An inn mense sum of money has been invest ed in the coming ceremonies to be held In Los Angeles. It is said that the business men of the Angel City have subscribed thousands and thous- ands of dollars for decorations and other concessions for the entertain ment of the visitors. The Phoenix lodge has also, no doubt. invested a large sum of money for costumes, etc Would it have been a disgrace or a shame to have it said that one thous- and dollars had been raised to take a '.Phoenix musical organization" and not a "government unpaid bandF to support the. Phoenix lodge? I think not. On the contrary it would most issuredly reflect no little credit upon Phoenix in various ways. viz: ItI would show the people on the coast, IS well as people from almost every corner Of the United States. that is a musical town. with good musicians. but. more than that. the citizens appreciate the fact and do everything to encourage good musi- eians to locate there and further show heir appreciation by literally support ng them The Indians are supported oy the United States government, and [ do not think it fair to the Phoenix white" musicians who pay taxes and ire nnder continual expense. and have Q struggle very hard for a modest lying. tliat when an opportunity like his does arise. they are discarded because other musicians can be had