The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-06-03
Letter to the Editor
DEFENDS BAND
MANN1NGTON, j,

MANNlNGIoNy June o-~5
editor The West Nfrgfnian)-
| desire to say few words rela-
tive to the small town gossip
which appeared in the Mannin gton
columns Of The West Virginian
yesterday under the heading OF
'.Elks Band4" l being the director
Of the organization the past two
years am more in a position sU
know more relative to some Of the
conditions of the band than many
others. and being a professional
director of both professional and
town bands for the past twenty
years know a great deal more
about the hardships and tribula-
tons that confront a band than
outsiders especially the town band
in a small town. which makes good
bands SO scarce in small towns In
the first place man must study
and practice several years before
he should be able to do justice
to a wind instrument. He must
spend much money in the way OF
instructions, Instruments, uni
forms and music. tsthis day and
age, all bands that can play. belons
to the union. If this band did not
belong, we could never go outs1de
our jurisdiction and play, as otner
bands would refuse to go in the
same parade with us. Anytime we
60 out even at home and play
we are breaking our obligation TO
our union and subject to fines anu
one Who makes their livelihod IN
this business cannot afford to take
these chances.
Now relative to Decoration Day.
/ was away from Warrington con
tracing the Waynesburg, Pa. fa1r,
returning May %. When L return
ed Mr. Parrish. manager of our
orgaui zation. informed me that ne
had Contracted the band to play
in Fairmont on the afternoon or
Decoration Day and that he
the morning as one of the mem
bers OF the Legion had spoken to
him about it. That. same evening
during rehearsal of my Junior
band here, a Mt .Snodgrass who
is a member of the Legion came to
me and asked if I had said any
thing 10 the Junior band about
playing on that date, advised
him that Mr.. Parrish had inform
ed me that it was impossible that
the Elks' Band would play mere
then and that it would be best Tor
him to see him as had been
away and was not sure OF the ar
rangements made. That was the
last I heard of the matter until
the day before Decoration When
Mr.. Snodgrass came to me again,
and wanted to know If the Boys
Band could be gotten out to play
for them the next day. ! told MN
that we were using four of them
in the Elks Band on that date and
that he could possibly. arrange 10
use the balance ana told MIN some
outsiders that could perhaps pc
used to take the places OF those
absent, also told him of man
that could take charge OF them.
That was the last heard or that
until about five minutes before our
car was due to leave the next Gay
to take us to F'airmont-
Now a word relative to the sup
port of the band here Ihere are
some appreciative citizens here
who do appreciate good band
snch as the town has. Ihese
worthy citizens support it well too.
but they are few inded- others
like to hear IL but want someone
else to pay the fiddler It must
be that some appreciate US, as the
Junior Band is even allowed TO
rehearse in the Sunday School
room of one OF the local churches.
Sometimes We are allowed to use
the public school building for this
purpose. Halls are scarce.
Now that enormous one thou-
s a v Tggf - 3 ~ sa,l(