The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-02-03
HOW SOUSA FLOORED
AMERICAN LAWYER

! How John Philip Sousa floored John
! C. Johnson, Americas greatest law
/ YER" whose ability was admired by the
/ entire American bar is a story well
worth telling. Lit Sousa is an institu-
/ ton, not only here but around the
entire musical world. He is something
| far more than a mere musician and
| composer. His contagious personality
/ is reelected in his marches and is re-
! sponsible for large measure of his
| success. When the band toured Eu-
rope, the foremost critics We're said to
I have had "Soasaitis'' because the
| American bandnaster's instrumental
tion was so original that he brought
surprises at every concert. What would
they think of his present organization
of nearly twice the size, greatly i'm
creased 'virtuosity" and with the
finest procurable instruments? Judg-
ing by the box office thermometer 1t
Sousa is at the very height of his pop
ularity. He was never in finer physi-
cal or mental condition, and his latest
marches, such as keeping Step With
the Union ~. S. Field Artillery "On
the Campus" etc, are only equaled in
success by their famous predecessors.
Not long ago the recorder had the
pleasure of visiting Lit. Comm. John
Philip Sousa at his home on the North
shore OF Long Island. Surely Sousa
has mastered the art of getting the
most out OF life, and, Incidentally, of
helping his charming family and hun
dreds of friends enjoy life with him.
Like all outstanding men he plays
Just as hard as he works. One of the
rooms of his home is a veritable mu-
scum of trophies he has won at trap
shooting contests in ell parts of Amer
lea. 1t is hard to think of a musician
as champion shot!
Another notable feature of his home
is the library of rare volumes that
would raise the enthusiasm of the
most rabid bibliophile. Then there are
the stables. including a wonderful
Arabian charger; the music room; the
delightful wooded beach overlooking
the sound: everything to make life
worth while.
Nothing could show the many sided
character of the composer of THE
Stars and Stripes Forever and keep
ing Step With the Union" better than
his home. While browsing about the
library the recorder came upon the
proceedings of the famous lawsuit in
which the family of former manager
of Sousa attempted to convince the
court that the rights of the impressario
extend after his death. The prose-
cutting attorney was none other than
that giant of the bar the late John G.
Johnson, Americas greatest lawyer"
who, by the way, was the personal at
torney for many Of the foremost Amer
lean millionaircs. He was known for
his unrelenting oss-exanaina ton, in
which, by invective. command. surprise
attacks and his own personal force, he
was able 10 take the witness off his
feet and figuratively wipe the floor
with him.
1t is said that Sousa is one of the |
few men who actually downed Johnson |
while on the stand. Sousa. If he is |
nothing else. IS a model of gentlemanly |
courtesy
Johnson was trying to get sousa TO
admit that the name is one or the most
valuable things about a march Hist
plan was 10 iryitate the witness as q |
torreador e2cites the buu he is about |
10 slaughter. sousa refused to be the
bull.
After numerous annoying attacks. /
Johnson said: Nov, Mr.. Sousa. we /
want you to state definitely just what /
you think is the value of name to a |
march
Sousa smiled his genial smile, and
said: Wen. the name of march may
he very valuable indeed. Take thcE
Liberty Bell for instance. Eve.yI