The Washington times., 1918-05-27
URGED TO BLAZE
TRAIL Of ART TO
NATIONS VICTORY
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BY J. Mach.
From Washington the cry has gone
out that the Government is looking
for maEnates who will build moving
picture theaters and churches. With
out these steadying institutions it is
feared the so-caIled Government cities
will be depopulated by .stampedes OF
workmen, even as mining camps were
deserted in a night in the days
OF '49.
The Ordnance Department has in
vested millions in the creation of new
cities where explosives can be manu-
factured. To these cities thousands
Of workmen have swarmed. But de
spite attractive wages, the men have
lived to the basic law OF economists
who have, always held that in the
irst place, "man is by nature a social
animal"
The workmen have refused to live in
the unpainted towns which afford no
means Of relaxation They have dem
onstrated their dislike for such cities
IN some OF the most strange and sur
prisinE stampedes in the history OF
the country's industrial development
5000 Vanish in Week.
One Of the most recent OF such
ruEhes was the disappearance Of about
5000 workmen within a few days
from the construction work now un-
der way at Charlestown, w. Va. A
few days Of rain which brought en-
forced idIeness created a sudden wave
OF unrest. Rumors Of high wages
elsewhere ran fast and within few
hours the stampede was on. Weeks
and weeks OF toilsome work by Off
l. = aTH-
ing men were replaced.
The subject Of diversion for the sol
dier and the isolated worker is being
found OF greater and greater impor-
tance in the new army OF the United
States, whether II be for foreign or
for home defense.
French Trench Singing.
Lieut. Rene Froumant, OF the
French High Commission. spoke at
the Arts Club OF the singing of the
French soldiers in the trenches. That
ia, as he put It, III the Germans are
not so near that they have been warn
ed to be quiet"
But the French hear the Germans
singing, too, reports this hero OF the
Marne and OF many other chapters IN
this cruel world war that has left him
with four wounds as his badges Of
honor. The Germans use the mouth
organ-I don't know why" he added
whimsically.
The Franeh soldier wants nothing
hRt bright songs. Certain songs OF
the coast OF France that have a minor
strain have been tabOoed by the
poilUs. A French composer wrote
some special war songs that were full
OF symbolism, songs Of serious mien
set in minor key.
NO" said Lieutenant Froumant.
"the soldiers would not sing them.
The old marching songs Of France
they all know. every soldier can sing
them and they like them" whereupon
he gave the refrain Of one OF those
vital, catchy songs. And then they
sing songs Of sentiment and songs OF
home"
Drilling IL Not All
We can look over the list Of songs
our boys are now singing and ind
parallels in what they like best. even
81 we have rot q rich heritage Of the
soldier songs Of France. To look
back, however, and find how impor-
tant a part music strains have
played in the history Of the world. and
how they have lasted over TO tell the
spirit OF the soldiers Of a certain time.
answers in large measure the ques-
LlOnS lnAL Often al lEes EuCh AZ w naL
has sinSnE TO do with the training
Of Q oldierZ"
It isn't just drilinE-this work Of
making soldiers-Tt's living, too.
That the Government is seeing to II
that our boys are wholesome in mind
and heart, as well as in body, says
much for the insight Of the Govern
ment
So let the good work go on. Give
all you have in art 10 blaze a trail,
straight and clear, to victory.
Music news comes out OF Italy Of an
Americn tenor, brother OF Arthur
!. HGekett who was heard here recent
ly. This other celebrated Hackett,
who has an Italian equivalent for his
name. I believe, has been singing IN
opera in Italy and has outrivaled. II
is said, the success OF SiEnor BOnci.
SiEnor Bonci. by-the-bye. has just
"a rpTa ~ gr ssT odo-