Evening star., 1932-04-21
PLAN TO SCUTTLE
NAVY BAND PLACED
IN FUNDS MEASURE
Move, Once Blocked by Pres
ident, Said to BE Approved
by Adams.
BILL WOULD ELIMINATE
FAMOUS RADIO GROUP
Public Protest Expected to Mark
Effort to Reduce
Expenses.

With the indicated approval of Secre-
:ary Of the Navy Adams, a provision has
been inserted in the naval appropriation
bill that friends of the Navy Band de-
clare would result in scuttling that
celebrated organization.
The provision recalls the furry that
developed last October over a published
plan Of Navy officials to abolish the
Navy Band and lay up the U. S. S.
Constitutions plan that was squelched
by action Of President Hoover.
Although intended as an economy
measure, inclusion of the Navy Band in
the retrenchment proposal now before
the House would effect a saving next
year of only $4,000, it is estimated.
The new plan calls for discontinuance
OF new enlistments and re-enliStmentS
OF bandsmen, so band personnel of the
Navy will be reduced by 355 men in the
course of the next few years
This process would undermine the
strength of the Navy Band gradually
until, it is estimated, not a man would
be left in it nine years from now
Disclosure that Secretary Adams sp-
pears in favor of the plan to sink the
Navy Band is made in the report of
the House Appropriations Committee
on the naval funds bill, which comes
up for se>ion in the House Saturday.
I'm a lettsz dated March 10, 1882"
the report said ''the Secretary Of the
Navy indicated the Marine Band would
serve all needs of the Navy in Wash
fv1n$ hat fen4r
would not be affected if all bands at
navy yards except Cavite, p l., were
discontinued The Secretary specifical-
ly excepted the bands at training sta
tions and at the Naval Academy.
"The adoption of this course ulti-
mately would dispense With the need
for 355 bandsmen and the committee
has included in the bill provision look
ng to that end"
The provision referred to follows:
THAT the total number of enlisted men
in the ratings of bandmaster, first musi-
clan, musician first class and musician
second class on April 18, 1882, shall
be reduced by 355 by discontinuing new
enlistments and re-enlistments not con-
tinuous in such ratings and kor placing
in such ratings men otherwise rated"
The proposal would reduce the band
personnel Of the Navy from approxi-
mately TOO at the present time to less
than half that strength, it Is under
stood. The only naval bands remaining
eventually would be the Marine Band,
bands on battleshipS and at training
station and the Naval Academy Band.
The Navy Band, which has attained
world renown under the leadership of
Lieut.. Charles Benter, is composed of
76 experienced musicians. Within
&hn raItfnfinr PNlor7 xxyOtfld bring
the strength down to approximately Sc
men-a serious blow to the organization.
A few years more and the band would
be wrecked, it is said.
Would Save 100000 Year.
Immediate elimination of the Navy
Band would effect saving to the Gov
ernment of less than 100000 year, it
Is estimated.
Abolition of the Navy Band would be
certain to arouse a wide storm of pro-
test. Through its radio broadcasts six
days a week and its annual concert
tours Lieut.. Benter's outfit has become
favorite with thousands of music
lovers throughout the country. 1t is the
only major service band bearing the
name Of the Navy.
DiSbandonment of the organization
would leave only two service bands, the
Marine and Army Bands. Americas
military bands are said to be the only
permanent, year-round bands in the
United States. Other bands usually
have shifting, volatile personnel
The Navy Band was organized by
Benter in May, 1919, at the request OF
Secretary Daniels, who contended the
t.avI should have band under its own
name, like the Marine and Army Bands.
-Four men composed the first group IN
der Benter
Accompanied Harding.
Three years after its organization, the
band accompanied the late President
Harding on his Alaskan trip. Since
1922 it has made many concert tours,
visiting virtually every section of the
country and receiving ovations wher-
ever it played. One of the first serv-
ice bands to go on the air, the Navy
Band has been broadcasting for about
10 years The band receives about
1000 letters month from enthusiastic
admirers.
Special concerts have been given at
hospitals and for the benefit of war
veterans. A feature of the radio pro-
grams has been special music ap-
probation" hours for high school stu
dents and others.
If the present provision in the naval
appropriation bill becomes law, the
ever inspiring Anchors Aweigh" will
become not only the Navy Bands sig
nature song, but also its swan song.
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