The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-19
THE BAND CONTROVERSY.

NO more than full justice in the
premises will be done by the members
Of the citv council if they follow the
lead Of their ways and means commit
tee and turn over the entire sum of
money that the city is authorized to
spend in year for public band con-
certs to MarshalPs band.
This is said with no intention of dis
paraging the musical ability of the
knights and Ladies of Security band.
which may be an organization of high
grade and perfectly competent to give
satisfactory band concerts. But such
money as the city has at it's disposal
for this kind of entertainment almost
belongs to MarshalIs band by moral
right.
NO institution has done more to ad-
vertlse the city of Topeka to the four
corners Of the United States than this
same Marshalls band. 1t is one of the
premier amateur brass bands of the
country Wherever it hes played away
rom nome. and its trips have been
numerous and extensive, it has reflected
great credit on it's home city and held
IL up to distinction, for any town that
can provide the material that makes
MarshalPs the sldlful musical organiza-
ton 1t is, and support such such a band
Tor continued period of years, really
amounts to something.
For many years, too, MarshalI's band
has treated the people Of Topeka in a
most generous fashion 1t has given
PUBIC concerts in winter and summer
tile free of charge and without re-
celVlng any recompense from the city
or Its people except such money as has
Deen contributed to it occasionally
through private subscription Other
statements to the contrary, last year
was the first and only one that Mar
shall's has received cent of public
money for its services. Through the
sole efforts of this band the money was
raised for the erection of the bandstand
in the city park. and this was done be-
lore the band had any claim on the
city for money. Such equipment in the
way of seats and benches in connection
with the bandstand has been provided
by the band boys out of their own
FUNDS. 1t was these same "boys" who
were instrumental in getting the law
through the legislature which permitted
hrst class cities to set aside a sum of
money annually for public band con-
certs- And after having done all this
work 1t does not seem fair that another
band should be permitted to step in and
claim even portion of the reward
which is now available The money 70
be set aside for this purpose is not to
be of pecuniary advantage to any or all
of the individuals connected with a
band. 1t is merely to provide the band
With equipment, in the way of music
and other legitimate expenses.
If this money is to be split up between
two bands this year, as some people
propose, there might be three or four
bands clamoring for portion of it next
year, and if the system is followed of
giving every band that applied share
Of the money, it would not be long be-
fore the sum would be divided up into
such small portions as would be of lit
tie value to any band. And then an
other thing, in the issue that has now
been raised. the Knights and Ladies of
Security band has the patronage of the
wealthy organization whose name it
bears. 1t is in fact private band and
is no more entitled to public funds than
sectarian school would be.