The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-08-11
WANT
NATIONAL SONG
Army of Philippines To Ask Con-
gress To Adopt The Star
Spangled Banner,

"The Star Spangied Banner" will
be the national air of the United
States II congress accedes TO the
wishes of the Army OF the Philippines;
now holding It's twelfth annual con-
vention IN the G.. A. X. building, De-
troit. The movement for the adop-
tion OF 1.-The Star Spangled Banner"
as the national anthem was sprung
by resolution in the Friday morning
session OF the convention by the del
egates OF the Chicago camp. They
were bubbling over with enthusiasm
foi the success OF their scheme, but
they found strong opposition to It,
chiefly because OF the high notes In
its musical composition.
AdJ.-Gen. A. J. Kelleher, OF Chi
cago. one OF the strongest opponents
of the suggestion, pointed out that II
would be almost impossible for the
average person TO sing THE
Star Spangled Banner" with ease
and any degree of success. IL was
all right as a composition for must
ca instruments. but altogether too
high for the voice, he contended.
The Acknowledgement was a sing
er of pational reputation. some years
ago, and the convention was inclin-
ed to take his advice seriously. How
ever, the majority finally swung into
line with the proposition for the
adoption OF the song, with the result
that the resolution was adopted and
a. committee will be named to walt
on congress and make known the
wishes OF the Army OF the Philip
pines in the matter.
Adj. Kelleher, in his annual
report, showed that the organization
is in good financial condition, and
that the membership was much the
same as a year ago. The sum OF
$500 was received in dues, he said,
during the year. He also touched on
the plan to have congress make Phil
ippine veterans pensions extend TO
their widows, and said the matter had
already been drawn to the attention
of congress by Congressman t. s.
Crago. of Pennsylvania. II was not
expected, however. hevintimated, that
congress would do anything with the
measure this term.
Commander-in-chief A, II. Ander-
son, in his annual report, said IN
part:
. During the past year your COM
handkerchief was visited by the
commanderIn-chief OF the United
Spanish War Veterans and he was
very anxious TO arrange some basis
for uniting the two orders He prom
ised to have a representative pres
cnt at this convention TO set forth
the matter In as able manner as
possible. | think voice the senti-
ment OF a great majority Of our
membership, when I say that the Ar
my of the Philippines should always
have a separate existence.
AN application was received from
a number of colored men who are
eligible to be members in the Army
of the Philippines As the constitu-
ton or bylaws do not raise the ques-
ton as to the color OF the member
ship. the question was practically
raised by the applicants themselves.
and | thought that is matter that
should not be decided by the COM
or by the executive
but that il should be TAX
en- up In the next convention"
The delegates went to tf1e-f fats,T
Friday afternoon, on the steamer
Tashmoo. They will have supper at
Joe" Bedore's and return in the
evening.
In their opening session, Thursday
night welcome addresses were deliv-
cred by Mayor Thompson and Com
rade Melville McManus, OF Detrit.