The Wilmington morning star., 1947-11-02
Saturdays Children

Saturdays Ohlldren
The time has come for the New Hanover High school to recog-
nze that the high school band is more than just a uniformed
ornament with which to show off at all home football games pei
rallies, and one lone football game on the road.
The fact that the band failed to go on the Wilson trip
Friday is a disgrace, not to any particular group, nor t the
school, but a disgrace to the entire workings OF all groups
involved.
r. isn't very often we pull punches but today let's be easy to
gel along with and give some benefits of the doubt BEFORE FRIDAY
it seemed that everyone wanted to sponsor the Wilson football
train. but taking the band along wasn't in the cards. Friday nlght
however the thing got most confusing when a guy tried to cheek
for the reason the band played at home. AS near as we can 1lgure
it out the big reason several groups here desired to sponsor the
football train, was not particularly through any generous desire to
get the kids to another city to support the Wildcats, but to make
money on the concessions, which of course would be impossible II
the band went along and fares were paid for the members.
1t seems, according to 7. 7. Hamilton, of MINIS, that the
band gets one train trip a year paid for out OF the hgh sehool
athletic fund and the musicians r. allowed u choose That 'rip
This year they chose the Raleigh game, which Hamilton says
cost $3.50 more than the cost would have been by bus
but as Hamilton pointed out, the kids had a oeuer time WIN
the railroad party.
But that evidently ends the associations responsibility to the
band that one out of town game. Be that as it may, right or
wrong, generous or stingy, the school has a year now IN winch 10
correct the obvious ailnent.
We suggest that the $3.50 not be used to pay the bands fare
to any football game. We suggest that it be put into a fund -.
perhaps the association might add a bit to it and that fund
be given to the band. We further suggest that next year all
concessions on all football trains be turned over to the band
exclusively and that no organization in Wilmington be
granted the right to run those concessions. With the coopera-
ton Of each band players mother, who might make up a dozen
sandwiches, thereby making the profit nearly 100 per cent, the
musicians could make a little dough.
It won't be enough to pay for the football train fares admittedly.
But, this is a state championship band remember. Frankly we see
no reason why the drum heaters and horn tooters can't make a
few bucks during the off season by holding a couple of concerts,
and charging a half a dollar admission fee.
Let's stop this begging. No one likes it, least of all 1t.
E. J. Lacock, BOSNIAN of the bandmen. The lieutenant didn't
care to discuss it at any great length last night but it was plain
that he was disappointed.
eve don't feel that the band should have to pay its own fare
in order to play for nothing at out of town games, after we donate
our services gladly and freely at home games" he unused. And he's
got something there we think.
On the Goldsboro train, which was sponsored by the ACL
Employees Service club, and on which the band Travelled, we
have been told better than 600 sandwiches were sold, and at
20 cents a throw it is easy to see that the band could happily
be put on a paying basis next year if the high school would
start the ball rolling by handing over the first lump of cash
-. then the high school could wash its hands of the problem
of that one football train also.
There is no doubt that all groups who were going to put on
the Wilson train show wanted to do a good job. Hal Love, prexy
of the Jaycees, says bluntly that his group turned down the request
to pay the bands fares, and said the Jaycees then offered to give
up their exclusive concession rights to any group that would take
care of the band. Frankly we can't understand why anyone ever
got exclusive concession rights. Love said only s86 was made on
the Ralelgh trip concessions but that isn't a bad nights earnings.
Frank Collier, president of the Shrine club land everyone
is fairly well acquainted with the love the Shriners have for
MINIS bandsters) said the band would have gone to Wilson if
the Shriners had sponsored the train but he said he was
told the Jaycees had the rights for the business. Told by The
ACL.
This happened Wednesday, but the Shriners met Thursday :.
it's all mixed up. The police and firemen also were supposed to
have been in on it, willing to sponsor the train, but not if the band
was to go free, Poor little band, nobody loves it.
Let's forget the Wilson train nobody, We are sure.
wanted the MINIS Wildcats to play in Wilson without a band
there TO play. 1t took time to organize the train, time to fix
schedules, get crews, etc. And as time ran out, the band STAYED
home. Everybodys probably very sorry, and some are probably
wondering If a little Wildcat music might not have been worth
three points and victory, but it's water over the dam.
We do not feel that any group, city or civic, should be called
the sponsor OF a train" when it demands concession rights in order
10 make cash. The term sponsor makes it sound as though it was
just one of those swell generous gestures, when in reality, if the
profit, large or small is what is desired, it is not a generous gesture
1t is perfectly easy to see that all the f1imfam of this hasn't been
brought to light, but that isn't important.
The important thing is to halt this feeling that the band
players III Saturdays children. They are not. They are lust
as important to MINIS as the football players, even if thew do
MOI bflng IN the same amount of cash. Let's not exploit the band.
so put EN- on a paying basis next year. And give the band
In out OF town train concession rights. In return. the PLAYERS will
give you some music.
What did you get in return this wear?
HahonalClothi;e >Qnc:
SEE OUR NEW FAIr 1T OruCc