The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-03
NEED Of A BAND
STRESSED BY
f. G. C0WDEN

Editor Evening Telegram: 1t was
with a good deal of interest tnat l
have read in recent issues Of the Tel
egram an article by MIR. James and
two editorials relative to a band for
this season.
Mr.. James article was probably
written as a criticism on the city's
lack of appreciation of her one-time
band; and justly so, for to my GER
tain knowledge during the past five
years, she has in 10 wise properly
supported her band, albeit possibly
for good reasons.
lour editorials, Mr.. Editor. are
decidedly too mild on the band ques-
tion. If the city in her efforts to
raise money for Red Cross, Liberty
Ponds and other worthy causes had
been as mild, said efforts would prob
ably have been fizzle. The band
boys in town would like to see you
put ON your fighting iclothes and
help us to band of which the city
and it's visitors may well be proud.
There are at least three good
reasons why Lakeland could afford
t. support first-class concert band:
First. as business proposition; sec
ond, its educational features, and
third, as an advertising medium. I
wish to deal with the first one in
THIS article.
Ae business proposition it prob
ably would not pay back in visible
dollars and cents the amount it
would aost to support it, but in an
Indirect way it would and more Ado
to that the enjoyment and pride
which every citizen would feel to-
wards their band" would make it
paying proposition from the first.
l wish to 90 on record as stating that
If the city will support band Of
the proper Instrumentation, able to
play standard and operate numbers
IS well as the popular ones, for one
year. she will gladly come across
with the necessary funds for the sue
ceeding years.
Aeain 1t would be an immense at
traction to country people and to
music lovers in nearby towns. Mer.
chants and business men fully an
preciatey what that fact alone would
mean FOR them. Many instances
could be cited whereby on concer.
nights a stranger in town might
ask. What's doing?" In contrast to
th.s 4 remember to my everlasting
Humiliation of one night two wears
age this winter. We were giving
c.ncerts in the park. On this nigh.
In question several young men from
rant City came up to hear the co,
cert. We were out SIX STRON1;
Nuf said! To my knowledge the,
came no more to hear the concerts
And, again, Florida, especially the
central and South, is sadly lacking
In good home bands. Lakeland will,
an up-to-date organization wouId
soon be well known over the State
end would have many calls and num-
erous engagements for important oc.
caslons. At one time W,rren
ohio. was favorably known over tbe
North Central States because Of her
Ohio State band, an organization Of
80 or 40 members. Th eywent far
ana wide, notwithstanding other
cities had good bands. LaPorte Ind
scranton. Pa. and others enioved .
Ike reputation because of tbeir
bands. The population of the above
cites was less than one-half Lake
LANDS Why not put Lakeland on the
map musically? cite the above
Facts because a bands reputation. if
j. is a good one, helps to nav the
members salaries.
Lastly We would have an organi-
"alioh subject to call at any time
that would be an immense be,, IN
all public and gala occasions. What
1c.p It would be to pull off a con
Vention. parade, or any big doin,s
IL is not nearly So hard to organize a
DIG day in town if you have +, rood
band to back it up. I tell you. Mr.
fditor' bunch of the right kind of
hooters" is one-half the show On
such occasions music is always want
ed and generally pretty badly.
E. G. COWDEN.