Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-11
PLAN MOBILIZATION
OF NATIONS MUSIC
"Now More Than Ever" to Be the
Keynote at Teachers Asset
citation Banquet

Though 1t Is impossible to estimate the
amount of money that has been raised for
the support of war objects in America by
the musical forces of the country, it Is esti-
mated it runs into many millions.
1t is further impossible to measure the
strength that has been given to recruiting
our national forces by the influence of music.
but experience has shown that the pla wing
OF one band speeded up recruiting 40 peH
cent In one of the large western cities.
Adopting the view of this Government and
that of other warning nations that music in
time Of war is not merely a tolerated luxury.
but a practical essential. the Philadelphia
Music Teachers Association. at it's annual
dinner tonight at the Bellevue-Stratford
Hotel. will have as its purpose the formula
ton OF ways and means by which the musi-
cal forces of the country may be mobilized
to be of better service at home and at the
front.
James Francis Cooke, who has been presi-
dent of the Teachers Association for eight
years and who will preside at the dinner, has
been one of the forces spreading the doctrine
or music now more than ever He has
written much Of the value of music at home
in keeping up the national spirit and has
emphasized its value as contributing to the
enthusiasm, the courage and the good cheer
Of the men at the front. In support of this
fact he has had the written word of such
thinkers as Thomas A. Edison. Samuel Com
pers, DIR. Anna Howard Shaw, Ida Tarbell.
DR.. Lyman Abbott, Henry Van Dyke and
Rupert Hughes.
At the dinner. when 1t is estimated that
more than ESQ musicians and persons inter-
ested in the development of music in Phila-
delphia will gather in table groups, Kenneth
Clark, division song leader at Camp Meade.
will conduct a demonstration of camp singing
that Is proving a source of inspiration to
the soldiers.
1t Is intimated that. as a big surprise. one
Of the greatest celebrities in the world OF
musical artists will be among the singers
on the program. The names of others on the
program have also been withheld for reasons
of their own.
That music has been of immense value in
keeping the national spirit to a pronounced
pitch was indicated by Mr.. Cooke when he
referred to the power of the song hit. over
There"
George Conan, in his singing Of over
There he said. has. in my opinion, done as
much in creating a patriotic spirit among
the people Of this country as any ten million
aires. ..
1T is impossible to estimate the contribu-
ton already made by music to the cause Of
our country" said Mr.. Cooke. but. as an
instance Of the practical assistance given by
music and musicians, Mr.. Sousa, the great
band leader. told me that when the Great
Lakes band began playing in Chicago recruit
ing increased 40 per cent. When the same
band was playing the sale of Liberty Bonds
was raised as much as 500. 900 at a time
without the assistance of any speakers.
Musicians themselves, by their influence
and their talent, have increased the sums for
war throughout the country into millions. 1t
Is impossible to say how much. At the Met
ropolitan concert tonight they will raise fully
SIC, 900"