New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1916-07-12
UNJUST CRITICISM
RESENTED BY BAND
RETURNING MEN FEEL QUITE
JUSTIFIED IN COURSE THEY
FOLLOWED.
DESIRE FAIR TREATMENT AT
HANDS OF THEIR FELLOW
CITIZENS.

Ever since their return from Camn
Bobleter, the men of the Second Regi-
ment band who decided that it would
be better for them not to continue in the
service have been subjected to a great
deal of adverse criticism. This adverse
criticism has not only manifested itself
by word of mouth but has also found
It's way into print. Obloquy has been
heaped upon them and epithets have
been applied to them which these men
resent in the most emphatic terms.
Possibly many of those who have been
most severe in their criticism are not
fully acquainted with the facts and if
they knew all the facts their demeanor
toward the band boys would change
materially, might possibly be reversed
entirely. The Review has been asked
to. publish the facts and will. leave it to
tair-miinded public to Judge from the
statements as here presented whether or
not the criticisms are justified.
1t should be borne. in mind at all
times that the band boys cannot be put
into the same class with the men who
have Joined the other military oraani-
cations, because the latters' duties re-.
qulre them to tote gun and be ready
to shoot and be shot at whenever o.
casion arises bringing on hostiities
between this country and any other
country. The band boys on the other
hand aye not by nature be supposed to
belon9.to the pugnacious and fighting
kina Their main business is TO furnish
|1n1usic, the best that they, can furnish by
applying thsasss.s:ss studio,siy and per
|sistently Il not subsequently happens:
that a man may have, the greatest:
natural abilities as musician and be Ia
every other way unfit for actual military
service. - -
That was the situation when the End
Regiment Band was organized in the
city Of New Ulm some IS years agp.
Most, of the members were MUSICIANS
pure and simple and very little attention
was paid to- their fitness for military
service. When ever their. terms Of en-.
listment expired they were nnportu1nd
to again enlist, because their drppuAse
out might endanger the existence of the
band altogether: With very taw en-
ceptions,, the members always alhovsd
themselves to be swayed by these arspa
ments. They knew that the band wns
valuable asset to the city of New ,Ufn
and as loyal citizens to their home mvn
they again and again allowed; tlpn-
selves to be burdened with the duties Of
member of band that until faw ygsrs
ago .neceived scant, if any, recognition
from the citizens at large.
+ When the orders for mobilization,
came the time of four of the men had
expired. They were Tony Henle,
Albert Gag, George Gag and Ed. Vosak
Their time had expired some time IN
May and on account of headquarters
being transferred to Faribault, the mattrr
OF re enlisting had been overlooked al
together and it was quite the natural
thing for these four men to consider
themselves out of the service.
Ed. Vogel was importuned to reen-
list, because the band was short Of
bass players and he consented to do 50
if the directors of the State Bank raised
no objections to his going and would
keep his place open for him This the
directors were willing to do, provided
arrangements could be made to have
Peter Kitzberger, who is also employed
in the bank, excused from going. There
was another reason why Kitzberger
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