The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-08-05
ARMY BAND OR NO MUSIC
BY SPOKANE MUSICIANS
Chairman Insinger Says
No Change Will Be
Made Now.

II the union musicians of Spo-
kane insist on their stand against
the cavalry band of Walla Walla
the parades and concerts to be
given in connection with the irri-
cation congress will be held with
out teh aid of Spokane music. The
musicians have SO far refused to
play with the army band because
II is nonunion.
This Is the view Of r. Insinger,
chairman of the board of control of
the irrigation congress, and while
an effort is still being made to
patch up the differences between
the musicians union and the con-
gress, managers of the later say
that the army band from Walla
Walla will be on hand at all haz-
ards. A final conference between
q committee from the union and
the managers of the irrigation con-
gress will be held this evening.
In discussing the controversy to-
day, Chairman Insinger said:
"The federal government a long
time ago detailed the Fourteenth
cavalry band from Walla Walla to
appear at the irrigation congress,
following the precedent aof former
irriagtion congresses, and recognize
ing the national character of these
congresses. / may say that the
war department ia not the only one
who gives such recognition. The
department of state transmitted,
through the embassies, our invita-
tons to foreign countries; the agri-
cultural department Is represented
by Secretary Wilson. Mr.. Pinchot,
and a number Of others: the de-
partment of the interior Is repre-
sented by Secretary Ballinger and
the heads of different bureaus. The
department of justice assigned Mr..
Campbell to speak on legal matters,
etc, etc, all Of which. and a great
deal more, has been stated again
and again by the newspapers.
"A considerable time ago some
members of the musicians union
saw our. secretary and protested
against the presence Of an army
band during the irrigation con-
gress. Mr.. Hooker promised to sub
NIT their protest to the board,
which he did. AS the board OF con-
troll could not refuse the detailing
Of an army band, there was
nothing for us to do.
"We had not been in a position
to make very definite plans for en-
gaging local bands. We intended
to engage wherever we needed
them. The choral society made a
contract with us for the rendering
of the irrigation ode. At the re-
quest of Mr.. Riedelsberger. 1t was
arranged that the orchestra which
he was getting together should
play the national air and another
piece at the opening of the con.
gress on Monday morning. 1t was
arranged that the army band, there
fore. would not take part in the
proceedings in the hall on Monday,
and rs far al l know, there was
nothing In the rules of the union
preventing them from keeping an
engagement at that time and place.
Regarding the detailing OF the
army band, may add, that for talk
ing part mounted in parades, they
receive no remuneration from us.
Under ordinary circumstances the
war department would also have
detailed couple of companies to
take part, but the troops have left
for the philippines. and the few
men left are needed at the fort"
Professor Riedelsberger has de.
clined to direct the chorus II the
army band takes part in the pro.
gram.