Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-10

name of Nine. Chaminade. distin-
guished French composer. who main
tains a keen interest in our activities.
In the Fall of 1922 Miss Linkins or
ganized and directed the Girl Scout
Glee Club of about 10 voices, which
had a successful season, but lived only
one year, as she could not continue
the work
In January, 1923, she became presi-
dent of the District of Columbia Fed
Grafton of Music Clubs, and since that
period has labored increasingly for the
cause of music in Washington.
I'm comparing any phase of life in
Washington with that in another
city" says Miss Linkins, Il feel we
are somewhat justified in making ex-
cuses for existing local conditions. We
natives of the District having no
vote and no voice in the spending of
our own tax money, are not bona fide
American citizens. This situation is
bound to reflect adversely on all local
undertakings, for we are apt to &C.
quire the spirit of civic Indifference.
I'm my report for the biennial con-
vention of the National Federation of
Music Clubs, held in Portland two
years ago, l tried to make this situa-
ton clear, and the delegates from all
the States We're amazed: in fact, some
hardly believed me. After / read my
report many questioned me. and I
learned that many from the States
had the idea that Washington, the
Capital of the United States. was
maintained entirely by the States.
In reading local papers l never fail
to cut out articles bearing on our vote
less condition, and in my correspond.
ence with State Federation workers
! inclose such clippings.
when one considers that the ma
jority of our population are not mon
eyed people and that most of our
wealthy citizens (of whom we have a
goodly number) live here for only a
few months of each year, enjoying
the beauties of the Capital and the
privileges OF the social set, but con-
tributing practically nothing for civic
enterprises, one can readily see it is
next to impossible to raise large sums
of money for any project.
but, realizing our handicaps, we
must then try to rise above them and
press on in spite of seeming obstacles
1T seems to me that our foremost
need Is to try to open the eyes OF the
business men Of the city to the bene-
fits they and their firms may derive
from music. IN many cities, parttcu.
larly through the West, the business
men are alive to these and are firmly
supporting music. For several years
the chamber of commerce of one Cali.
fornia city has paid a good salary to
woman whose work II has been to
organize orchestras and choruses in
their industries. Why? Because they
find they can get about twice as much
work from the employees who sing and
play during work. In our city the
merchants with whom I've talked say
there is no time for such things. And
carrying this a step further, could our
business men but see these benefits,
then surely an opera house and other
needs might be forthcoming.
"Perhaps ! am too ambitious for
Washington, but should such an effort
be put forth again, 1 should like to
see a festival planned, bringing in all
music activities of the city, including
our opera company, our bands and or
ehestras, all branches of public school
music. ehoirs of Protestant, Catholic
and Jewish churches. music clubs and
choruses. Other cities have had such
festivals for years and have derived
much civic benefit from them"