The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-14

tor in the development OF the nation,
and though we may deplore the uses
to which German strength and unity
have been applied, we may well OBJ
serve and put into practice methods
that have made possible the most
marvellous resistance the world has
ever seen.
Government ApprecIatinE.
Our Government has come 20 far
as TO realize the military inspiration
OF music, and is providing singing
leaders for the army and navy. but
what OF the great home army fight
ing for food. for clothing. for sup
plies along all lines to keep the men
in the ranks? We are told over and
again that this war IL to be won by
food rather than by bulIe,S-that ev-
cry soldier is dependent upon at least
four people at home working and
having for his support. At every
turn we are met by eXhortations to
stand together as one behind our
boys or they cannot win.
If, then, the winning or the war
depends upon our Industrial army at
home. should not that army have
also the cheer and Inspiration and
cooperative Influence OF music? "A
singing man IS fighting man"
whether he fights with a gun or with
pillow. The girl at the counter
measures ribbon with a keener eye
and a steadiier hand IL the day has
begun with a song. and the man in
the shop Yields hammer or pen with
Eurer strokes II his heart Is cheer
ed with music when work IS over.
So widely recognized is the inspira-
tion of music for labor, and its pow
er TO allay the disconnected, strike
producing spirit which is manifest
now and again among our people.
that we hear more and more fire.
quently OF employers who establish
choruses and orchestras for the ben
eft of their employees.
But II may be AGid that the rapid
development OF music in this country
by private enterprise and municipal
and state support. the people are
getting plenty Of music without Gov
eminent aid.
People Need Direction.
In answer to th!s--in the frst place
not all our people, by any means. are
getting either music or any uuifying
influence whatever. There are dis
tricts not many miles distant from
the Capital itself where there Is
neither unity OF spirit nor community
Of action. There are wide stretches
east and west, and north and south
where there Is little music nor is
there united citizenship. There arc
great colonies of foreigners in the
West and Northwest and in many OF
our great cities who are not I'm
touch with American citizens in any
except perhaps business way.
In the next place. It Is music from
the Government that we need, and
soon, for the whole country. but
prominently for our aliens. 10
arouse community spirit and 10 &C.
ment us in patriotic unity to win this
war. Music Instituted by the people
themselves in private enterprise, or
even under municipal or State pat
ronage. cannot possibly have the ma
tionalizing effect upon the country
and especially upon its immigrants.
that comes from music under Gov
eminent authority, and nothing
would so quickly establish our
foreign element in community CEN
ters. bring them into friendly reIa-
tons with American citizens and nut
them in touch with national affairs,
as community singing in English.
Most Of them came from countries
where music Is freely provided by
the government. and when they ar
rive here and did not find it, they
naturally segregated and made IL for
themselves. And thus they have
formed community centers of their
Own, with language and interests
allen to the land OF their adoption,
and when tho test OF a great world
war came. most OF them arose and
followed the country whose language
and music they spoke. The man who
sisSgs exclusively die Wetcht am
Rhein" fnds It difficult to Attune all
at once his tongue and his heart to
THE Star-Spangled Banner"
Value IL Known.
The value OF singing to arouse com
nunity spirit has been shown in many
places. and most notably in the aErI-
cultural extension work from Cornell.
When the plan was made tao years
ago TO send out educational work from
that institution TO the rural districts.
there Was great difficulty in getting poo
pie together. II was not until singing
evenings were established In the country
schoolhouses and enthusiasm and pub
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