The evening world., 1918-06-12
MILITARY MUSIC: MORE OF 1T.

WILLIAM WOOlS. WONE VT IL
NTEw YORK has long needed more liberal supplies of opcnar
Nv music. just now it needs martial music and plenty Of it.
Since the United States entered the war The Evening
World has still oftener urged its long-standing contention that the
city ignores a sound civic investment in failing to provide more frat
class band music in public places.
Just after the first parade Of the National Army lads last Sep.
tmber this newspaper said again:
We need more bands along with the nsr, the soldiers and
sailors in the streets. the posters and the other things that
remind busy New Workers OF tho great fact of war.
It Is not for psrsdes alone. Everybody knows the In.
spring thrill Of band music wei In a busy SQUARE. heard
above the surrounding street traffic. Such thrills expand the
spirit They ear more to the development of patriotism and
true fceins than Americans have aver consciously realized.
Before the nation wa a war The Evening World frequently
urged that a band playing in City Hall Park at the noon hour
each week day would repay is cost in something bigger than
popularity.
Now martial music and national air. car do /. hundrsafod
more toward filling Americans with the spirit they need to
nEht work and win
During recent months, in the interest Of recruiting, Liberty
Loans, War Savings, etc, noon-hour concerts in City Hall Park have
demonstrated their power to attract and influence thousands Of
persons.
The demonstration has taken place right under the noses OF
Che Mayor and members Of his official household in the City Hall
1t is not surprising, therefore, to find the city's present admins
tration seeking popular approval by inauguratng new serie, Of park
concerts in the parks Of the various b~oroughs.
1t is to be hoped the new programme will broaden and devotion
into a lasting institution that will mean, daily, openair music for
New Workers during summer in a dozen favorite park centres.
In Central Park, particularly opportunities for o~ut-of-door music
have been deporaby negected-more 80 than ever during the last
two or three years, because Of q policy Of municipal cheese parinr
which has chosen to regard park concerts as aesthetic Injuries.
No view could be more unsound. Older and more experienced
municipalities tndn NW lorK haV 1ound IL worth While to approI
pirate annually substantial sums for popular open-air music in public
parks. This is one of the many means by which Paris has taken
care to foster that spirit Of passionate loyalty, admiration and love
with which Parhians from childhood regard their city.
How can any community add to its civic strength more cheaplvI
or surely than by providing pleasures at which its citizens gather day
after day in numbers and feel themselves a favored part Of a favored
people?
Central Park is one OF the finest Of it's kind. But doe, New
York yet appreciate it in the sense Of making the most Of il?
Some Of those young New Workers. now in France who, before
they come home, will visit Paris and maybe Axles- Bains-what will
saw TO Central Park ~ hay n4 -. - -
afternoon?
Where re the dozens Of little cafes and tea houses along the
walks and beside the lakesr
Where ar the tables under the trees where one can sit and ain
coffee or lemonade at trifing charges2
Where are the restaurants where thousands lunch and dine on
terraces at prices to fit all pocketbooks?
Most Of all-where is the music, the big bands, the sneciI
orchestras, the score Of tiny restaurant and cafe orchestras that
make centres OF Eveliness and gaiety at a hundred different points2
1t will be interesting to hear these travelled Young veterans
from France as they sit on a hard bench in the Mall and gaze at an
empty band stand.
What is the US Of pretending that Americans are different from
other civilized peoples either in not liking simple pleasure out Of,
doors in the most attractive forms in which it can be offered them
or In failing to feel the special thrill and inspiration which open-sir
music, and particularly martial music. can give?
Only a week or two ago New Workers. applauded FROM ,bs;-
hearts the superb playing Of the famous French band-tbe Musiou.
de la Garde Republicaine.
Why shouldn't New York have more such music Of is W IN
war time?
AT this great moment Democracy is not ashamed Of m. oLdl
inSlNnct winch prompts men 70 march 10 battle to the sound of
trumpets.
Those at home will be the better for hearing echoes q, - +oo
Let New York set an example to the country this summer with
gallant bursts OF frstclnss military music
The Canadian recruiting office at Boston rejected a Brlsa.
der General because he had web toes Why didn't they make
him an Admiral"