Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-08


Area. Without de za' $500
tracing in anyCol F. W. Coleman
way from the eX-
cellent duty performed by Col. Cole
mans predecessors, col. Coleman has
more accomplishments to his credit
while an incumbent of that office
than any of those who went before
him. The interest of the present chief
of finance. Mai. Gen. kenZie w. Wal
ker. in the welfare of the commits.
stoned and enlisted personnel of the
regular eSta bliShment is well known
to the services and X is IA matter of
common knowledge among those in
the service Of the efforts made by
Gen. Walker to give broad interpreta-
tons to laws enacted for the benefit
of the military persoE2e. But in
carrying OUT this policy sew are aware
of the fact that grast assistance was
rendered by Col Coleman. who is
exceptionally we'll qualified for this
work
Among the important accomplish
ments of Col. Coleman is the prac-
teal administration of the joint serv-
ice pay act of June 10, 1922: the de-
pendent mother allowance and the
clifford Jones income tax case. These
are the three important things placed
in effect as result of the tireless
energy displayed by Col. Coleman in
processing them through to a final
determination 1t will be recalled
that. in spite of what appeared to be
the clear intent of the Congress, many
decisions of the controller general
made the rental allowance section of
the law practically imperative. so far
as obtaining any benefits for the per-
sonnet The high opinion in which
Col. Coleman was held by the War
ot-fr AM I'll a ,cf1- ta1
in his designation by the department
to appear before Congress and ex
plain the necessity for the proposed
measure which would give the mem
hers of the military personnel what
was justly due them with respect to
these allowances.
tTe is probably hes: known to the
officers of the Army, Navy. Marine
Corps, Coast Guard Public Health
Service and Coast and GeOdetic Sur
vey as the mau who successfully
procesSed through the Court of Claims
the Clifford Jones income tax case
In this case il was commended that
quarters in kind or communication
thereof furnished officers or enlisted
men are not income under the law
and therefore not taxable. This case
is resulting in a refund to the officers
and enlisted men of these services for
taxes paid in the past with accrued
interest of approximately $1,000, 900
and a very substantial savings in the
future for all officers. ThisA being a
personal matter between the indi-
vidual and the Government, Col. Cole
man could not handle this case in his
official capacity as an officer of the
Army. and 1t was necessary for him
to handle it during his spare time
While there have been many irrecon-
cilable differences of opinion between
the finance department and the con
troller. their relations have always
been harmonious and pleasant, even
though at times ii became necessary
TO appeal to the Congress for de.
cision.
The future existence of the Army
Music School was challenged this
week in the form Apf a circular letter
sent out by the Adiutant General of
the Army to all corps area comma nd
erS, the comma ndlng general of the
district of Washington and the COM
handing generals of exempted places.
in the course of which expressions OF
opinion were asked as to the advisa
bllltN of continuing that school. SO
much good has been derived from the
work OF the Army Music School and
the progress of band music in the
service has improved so constantly
that the belief has been expressed that
dlSContlnuanre Of the activities of
that school would greatly retard the
progress of the musical organizations
in the regular establishment.
Assistance was rendered the War
Department by the Army Music
School during the war and besides
carrying forward it's regular program
Of instruction. the qualifications OF
civilian candidates for band leaders
were passed upon by the school, as a
result of which band leaders were
made available at once for the rapidly
forming new regiments. In 1920 the
Army Music School furnished the
technical head for the examination OF
all band leaders Of the regular estab-
liShment To determine their musical
rtneSS for promotion to the rank of
warrant officer band leader. A com.
plete reorganization was made of the
school. and in September of that year
was removed here. where it was
placed under the direct control of the
Adtutant General of the Army. The
school now acts in an advisory ca
pacity for the War Department in all
musical matters. In which work it has
been ii great asset to Army music in
general.
More than $50 students of the vari-
Gus courses have been sent out to
regimental bands since the home of
the Army Music School was removed
70 this city. and this output. it is
pointed out. would have been consider
ably increa sed had there been aie.
quate space for the housing of its stu
dents. During the past year the en-
listInent of recruits FOR Infantry unas-
signed. for the purpose of attending
the Army Music School was authorized
up to so. with permission to make
such enlistmentS in the LIST. I'd and Sd
Corps Areas.
Music lovers throughout the service
are expressing great regret that the
depa rtment is even considering dis
Cont;nuing the Army Music School, a 3
it is the general service opinion that
the school is just getting into IL posi-
ton where il is rapidly becoming a
reservoir of supply for Army bands