East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-06-20
SMALL TOWN BANDS
PRAISED by DAVIS

rRAl0[D Dl DAvN
WASHINGTON, June 2O.-Secre'ary
of Labor Davis, who played the
clarinet in the town band in Sharon,
Pa, many years ago, is advocating
the creation of Federal bureau of.
recreation for the development of, in
strumentaI and vocal music, the
drama, the theatre and athletics
throughout the United States. -
ITO my mind" the Labor secre-
tary said, there is no greater influ-
ence for community and social good
in the American small town of today
than the town band. Some of the
pleasantest recollections of my life
carry me back to the days when
played the clarinet in the Sharon
Band. President Harding preserves as
one of his proudest recollections1 the
memory of his association with the
Marion. (O,) Band in the days when
he was just beginning to develop the
character for accomplishment which
bore him to the white house"
! Proposes Recreation Bureau
1t is Secretary Davis's idea to have
| Ill' u pIOSSu pulSGt VI ittl tdllO1 CO.
operative with the States and the in
! dividual community music.
AS to music l would adapt the
Iistedfodd idea of Wales to, Ameri-
ca" he said. THAT means the or
ganization nationally of instrumental
and vocal music, the theatre and all
Il other recreations. This national or
ganization must begin in the indi-
~ JII,J ln1; :, Ill
municipalities should have recrea-
tional leaders I would have every
form of recreation, so that the hum
blest citizen could really take part and
enjoy it. 1 would have community
competitions, from which the winners
would go to county and State competi-
tions and finally to great national
gathering
Praiscth Powcrs of Music
THE power of musi.," Secretary
avis added ''is the most universal of
arts and has been recognized from
the dawn of civilization Down the
long centuries from the dim ages to
today humanity has marched or dane
ed, plodded or gamboled it's way of
progress under the inspiration of
music From the Psalms of David to
sic has always been the one art that
entered intimately the lives of most
of the worlds peoples. Existence
without music is drab drear thing
for an individual or people. There
is pno greater force for peace and
happiness than music
Davis believes that America could
take no single step that would ad-
vance thn al ho To
happiness further than the establish
ment of national means of exercis-
ing the power of music. @
He said that America can he or
Ganized musically. because most Am
erican workmen receive a saving wage,
pointing out that there are 40, 600. 900
people gainfully employed in this
country
''Music has not only meant lnucn
in the home life of every Welsh
family, but has always been one of
the greatest institutions of that ma
tion,' Mr. Davis, who was born in
Walcs continued. Long before the
4 time of which we have actual rec
ord there were great associations for
the furtherance of music in Wales.
Among them the Gorsedd has lived
down through to the present day and
is one of the greatest influences in the
national life. Under the auspices of
the Gorsedd whole communities gath
cr periodically for song.
While with a touch of pride l like
10 think of my natice country as
leader in music and song, we cannot
claim that Wales is the only country
that has had the benefit of great in
fluence from music. Every country,
every race, tribe and clan, civilized
and uncivilized, has its music. AS far
back as any history which we have of
the Oldest civilization we find musical
instruments which resemble greatly
the modern instruments of today
The North American Indian was
very musical being. He had a song
for every phase of his life. for every
| religious and social ceremony. He had
| a different rhythm or melody for the
hunt for war, in his games, his pray
ers and his courtships. Strange to say
| the Eskimo has put his music. to a
| more noble purpose than even the
modern civilization has today refer
to what they term the NTH songs,
which they sing in settling their dis
| putes or controversies The parties
IN controversy get together and sing
at each other, with the public as am
pre- and the man who first amuses
the public to the extent. of making it
laugh is acclaimed the victor
This is not the mode in settling
our industrial controversies how
ever The parties in dispute certainly
play before the public, but the words
and language hurled by one at the
other could hardly be classified as
song. and the object would seern No be