The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-10-23
Marines BdH y
As Band Plays
for President
MAsIIINGToN-

I -'N'''i ~ Nc a'AuHt 10 De NMNN 10y
the president of the United Statcs.
President Harding Iik. the nm
rines, and the marines lirc the prcsi.
dent, but fear. trembling and silence
nave no place In the makc-u OF the
Marine Corps so they accept and re.
I apcCt him Hs their tOmmaudor-in-
Chlet, and let Is go at that.
The marines have had other COM
inanders-in-C chief but nov tor -the
tirst time I'm their momentnus and
glorious history they have lived In
The same bivouac and bro,tbed the
smoke Of the same Campfirea with
the man who controls their destiny.
They expressed their regard for
the president as they stood. trim and
straight with rifles at present
arms when his big dust covered
touring car whirlcd into their camp
at Wilderness Run, VI, recently and
again when they passed i'm review be-
fore him hurdened with fun march.
ing equipment.
No camp Sing stuff.
But. president or no president. the
marines refused to take part in a
camp sing" for the commandment
chief and the first lady of the land
until things were adjusted to their
liking.
"Will you sing?" shouted the
drum-major above tho din nf tho
band, as the president and his party
walked into the natural amphithca-
tire, whore 1000 "leathernecksy were
assembled.
"No!' crashed back the reply.
though there were a few scattered
alternatives.
The band droned on The prosi-
he could face the marines on the
surrounding hills. He arrived al the
place and waited expect
antly. Shouts were going up from
The multitude. The drum major
strove TO make his band heard above
the tnmult. A husky song leader.
IN shirt sleeves, waved his arms like
an anima'Al windmill. COMPANY
commanders and other officers
dashed madiy about.
Singing was on the program. The
president was waiting for the sing
Ing. But the marines had decided
they wouldn't sing, and having made
that decision they stuck to IL with
the grim tenacity that distinguished
the corps on many a bloody field.
Presidential Party Stalled.
General Butler, commanding Of
g. =
patched a staff officer to ascertain
the cause OF the hitch in the pro-
gram
The president puffed on a ciga-
ret and EaZed straight ahead. Mrs.
Harding chatted with a military aid.
General sawyer, always solicitous
for his chiefs well-bcing. shifted the
ntmosph wondered IL the cold
night atr would hurt the presidents
health. The rest Of the presidential
party just stood around and stamped
their feet to keep warm.
All but Secretary ot the navy
DENLY. lie didn't do any putting.
or stamping. He just
stood and grinned. He'd been
leatherneck' himself. and. though
he could not diagnose the trouble
hat had messed up the festivities.
he didn't do any worrying
Band All Hoped Up.
Presently the staff officer sped
back across She creek, saiuted Gen.
Butler and the president and rem
Tered his report:
They think the bands playing
90 fast, and they won't sing until |
he drum major slows down"
Az he spoke the desire OF the ma
ines was granted yhe drum-mador |
gave the signal 10 throw her into |
'econd gear. and then tho marines |
,urst into song.
And they sang so loudly and so |
plendidly and with such warmth |
nd feeling, that Mrs Harding Joined |
n on the chorus, and the com
n-chief was heard TO hum
ew bars too.