The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-03

Blues BANDPUT
UNDER ARRESTFOR
REFUSING TO PLAY
CONTINUED from First Page.)

Continued from First Page.)
Station.
Those hrst arrested, besides Cola
vita. were Il. w Barker, T. Slaughter
j. Smith. A c. Van Pelt. Luke Stone.
f. L. seay. III. Park!ns. Il. Nivictlli and
Is. Luchini.
breach of Discipiine.
Ihey were committed In tho custody
OF Chief OF Police Werner by an order
from Major Bowles, directing that they
be held until further action.
shortly after they had been taken
TO tho station tho ten musicians re-
tnined II. NJ. Smith. Jr.. as counsel.
Through him consent was obtained
from Major Bowlcs for them TO be re-
leased under bond for their appearance
on February "a ut military court,
which will convene at noon at the
Blues Armory. They were baiied by
Magistrate j. a. Purde
AT 1890 O'Clock the patrol returned
after long trip with Ave moro bands
men--F. d. Cam. D. w. Rerford, ]. A.
schwartz. G, II. Atkinson and w. ].
Pcdrick. They also were bailed.
II Is under an act Of 1912 that mill
tary prisoners are allowed to be turned
over to the civil authorities.
Just what charge 1 will prefer
against tho prisoners" Major Bowles
told a reporter for Tho Times Dispatch,
II cannot now say. 1t is breach Of
discipline. and / Will forward my re-
port to the AdJutant-General to-mor-
row"
The contention OF the musicians is
that they receive no pay for playing
for social affairs, which they claim is
not military duty. Major Bowles holds
that they are enlisted men and sub
ject to his orders as commander of the
battalion.
The strike" OF the band. and the
subsequent arrest OF Its members, tho
mr. pF
patrol wagon created much excite
ment among tho hundreds of couples
who had gathered for an evening of
pleasure.
Major Calls Out Guard.
When 1t was evident that the bands
men were not going to play unless they
were to be paid, Major Bowles lost no
time In ordering out the guard. which
was In charge OF Sergeant Lucien Bass
of Company 3. At $40 o'clock the
soldiers. with guns and bayonets.
hoped Into tho patrol, and the hunt
for the absentees began. 1t lasted
nearly all night.
"All the members OF the band have
identically the same privileges as any
| of tho other members of the bat
TALON" said one of the officers TT is
| seldom that they arc called upon to
play for dances. When they arc with
us in camp or anywhere else they arc
| not required to do their duty any more
so than Il private, corporal or sergeant
of company"
Slaughter. one of tho bandsmen act
ing as spokesman for those under ar
/ rest, gave their side of the matter.
Bind Wanted S3J.
ION last Thursday" he said, major
Bowles issued orders for the band to
report at the armory at 10 o'clock this
morning to participate In the parade.
We appeared, full strength. After the
parade, about o'clock this afternoon,
Major Bowles gave verbal order to
our drum major TO have the band re-
port at the armory at o'clock tonight
All OF us though that as We are
frequently called upon to play for So
cial affairs, and that to-nights dance
was for the younger set and visitors,
we should be paid. and Informed
Major Bowles that we would play from
10 o'clock until 1880 o'clock for s35
His reply was; Unless the band re-
ports as ordered by me, not single
member need ever set his foot in this
armory again
Tonight about o'clock / went to
the armory, packed my uniform and
other effects and took them away At
| Sixth and Marshall Streets ] met sew
eral other members of the band and
l Joined them and stood there some
time talking, when suddenly we found
ourselves placed under arrest by a
| guard"
For long while the Blues Bat
talon has had difficulties with it's
bands. The old band was Sthe source
| OF much discomfort, and was mustered
out of the service.
II think This is about the last straw
said Major Bowles. Il don't believe
I will ever again attempt to organize
battalion band"
II this plan Is carried out. 1t will
mean that in the future the Blues will
march to martial music supplied by q
| detached organization.