Evening Star Newspaper, May 17, 1931, Page 78

F2 sound of the wind in its chimney and the lopely world-weariness of the man and the woman” who fared acrcss the plains and built the cabin and filled it with children are in those old sangs. The day after hc sang them in the meeting house the man would probably swear like a pirate if he happened to hit his thumb with a hammer. I don't think God ht any th> less of him f:r that.” “Mr. Hepburn, give us of your ample ‘store,” said the general. “When there is trouble in Wall Street Mr. Morgan is quick to seeck your counsel. Like Mr. Morgan we turn hopefully “to ycu.” E great banker had sat smoking and laugh- ing quictly. Always hLe rested when he had a chance, but I, who had often hunted and fiched with him, krew what a matchless - racontcur he was. He told a surprise story. Concsidering its epic content of character and suggestion it is, I think, the best political story that I have heard. “You know the way of the politician better than I do,” he began. “Still, I have had a Washington’s BY NELSON SOKOLOV. OHN PHILIP SOUSA, the world’s most famous band leader, made some very pertinent remarks concerning high school bands in a recent interview here on his thirty-eighth annual tour. Opin- jons from a native son and the com- poser of a spirited march dedicated to our own - High School Cadet Corps zre especially sig- nificant. He deplores the fact that the East has been sluggish in the matter of organizing school bands, while the South and West bands are flourishing and very enthusiastic contests are being held to determine their respective merits. The past Summer, he tells us, he di- rected a massed band of 4,700 high school mu- sicians at Flint, Mich., on the occasion of their annual band contest. The most easternly was one from Cleveland, Ohio. But Mr. Sousa was unaware that in the city that gave him birth and where he first achieved renown there has come into being an organization that already commands the respect of our citizenry. Stead- ily, without ostentation, the High School Cadet Corps has developed a fine, splendidly drilled band Although the Washington High School Cadet Corps was begun in 1882, the band which repre- sents it now is comparatively a young organisa- tion. For many years the school authorities were obliged to depend on the courtesy of the to with eagerness by adult and It is needless to comment on the ex these famous bands, for that is a general knowledge and appreciation, Secretary of War has termed the Washington Cadet Corps “the model high school military unit in the United States.” ‘To make it a perfect model a school band 1916, when a fife, drum and bugle corps Was established and instructed by the late Prof, Cogswell, then director of music for the public schools. This corps was recruited both from the high schools and graded schools. ‘“Charlie” Stewart, later to be captain of a winning com- pany, was appointed drum major. Its first and last appearance function was in the inaugural parade of 1917, when it headed the Washnigton High School Cadet Corps down avenue, The uniforms consisted of white flannel jackets with A following year the War Department ap- ¥ pointed Col. Wallace M. Craigie, U. 8. A, Pprofessor of military science and tactics, to take charge of the corps’ interests. He promptly noticed the need of a band and immediately between Tech and Central High Schools. For- mer Band Leader Sergt. Frederick Hess, U, 8. A, was selected as instructor. Cadet Lieuts. Nelson Sokolove of Central and Francis Ken- nedy of Tech were appointed student band Jeaders of their respective regiments. For a time the two bands practiced sepa- rately, but consolidation was found necessary %0 produce the balanced effect so essential for good musical results. At last the dream of many enthusiastic eadet adherents was realized, The band was well established this time and B technique of instruction was evolved to take care of its perpetuation as an integral wumit “of the cadet corps. That year, 1922, the first interhigh school band contest was held, and the 1st Regiment Band from Central, under Lieut. Nelson Sokolove, was awarded the Mil- itary Instructor’s Silver Cup for efficiency in playing and drill. This cup was presented to the winning band leader by Gen. John J. Pershing. On this occasion Gen. Pershing, in commend- ing the winning band, impressed the youmg leader with the impertant place music oceu- E ——— " THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, o - - rp——————— D. €, MAY 17, 1931, - rich and varied experience with those who seck greatness and who live in the dust of its chariot wheels. With one ¢f them I had a conversational venture of which I like to tell. The telling will present a portrait of a type of man rather well known in Washington. “I was controller of the United States. The time was near when I had to choose a man for an important office. I had had no time to give t..he matter any thought. One morning the card of Mr. Lemuel Hopkins of San Fran- cisco was brought to my desk. Of course, I am using only fictitious names. “‘Bring him in,’ I said. “Mr. Hopkins entered. Never have I seen a greater glow of high respectability in dress and manners. He deposited his gloves and his shining silk hat on a table, “He bowed impressively. burn, I believe’ he began. “‘It is. Will you sit down?’ “He took a chair, carefully adjusting his trousers. “‘You are about to appoint a man to the ‘This is Mr. Hep- office of assistant controller?” [ 24858 3| * “That is true,’ I said. “‘I have the honor to present the application of Mr. Percival Smith of my State for this im- portant place. I first present to you the in- dorsement of the Vice President of the United States.’ “He gave me a letter. “‘I now present to you the indorsement of the Governor of California.’ “He gave me another letter. “‘I further present to you the indorsement of the Associated Bankers of California.’ “Another letter. “‘I now present the indorsement of our two Senators.” “‘Lastly, here is the joint indorsement of all our Congressmen.’ “It was an impressive array of favorable sen- timent, presented with admirable dignity. “Then he addressed me with these earnest and convincing words: ‘Mr, Controller, there can be only one explanation of this unanimous verdict of the men who represent the people of 3 g % of character and of a banking expe 1 have won the respect and confidente of all’wh know him. He is a good husband, a good neigh. bor and a good friend as well as a good busine man.’ “Mr. Hopkins had ably performed his He had got me interested in Percival Smi to whose claim I promised to give immedial consideration. “Mr. Hopkins rose and bowed. He picked his shiny silk hat and flicked a speck of dusf from it with his spotless handkerchief. I wen with him to the door. There he turned and took my hand and said in a low voice: “‘It only remains for me to add, sir, in cons fidence, that I would not hire Percival Sgiti even for a job of cleaning up a barnyard.’” - It was a joy to hear the loud laugh of th old general that led the merry chorus. Recov ering his composure, he said: “It took some time to hoist Mr. Smith to top of his pedestal, but how quickly he hit ground when he was shoved off!” High School Cadet Band Steps F of\vard From Fife and Drum Corps in 1916 Has Grown a Band Fitf to Lead What the Secretary of War Termed “The Model High School Military Unit in the United States.™ John Philip Sousa, from a recent photograph. pied in the late war. He pointed out that the o‘uonles of death and the insistent arouning of people, when in a crifis such solidarity is z:lylneded.mclufly apparent from the The annual interhigh school band contests have been held regularly since 1922. The school bands that have won the cup each year are: 1923, Tech; 1924, Central; 1925, Tech; 1926, Tech; 1927, Central; 1928, Tech; 1929, Central; 1930, Central, Judges for this event are usually selected from members of the service bands. A unique IN LIMINE. By William Rose Benet. Coming nto the old room with your words rising around me, With step dragging and stopped and a hand turning the kev, Sudden light on emptiness can no longer confound me Nor inanwmate things I see All wn their old places, still as if they were listening, Sprung to light harsh as pain. All these are in my view: Bed and table and chair and the broad mirror glistening Blank of the image of you. But now that ss usual strangeness, once so appalling. The edge of sense is dulled, save for this; as heretofore 1 have imagined a wraith hovering near at my calling As I opened the door; Though I have not called but whispered (the many times 1 have spoken To the silence-without-end being proof of the folly of men), And yet I could swear to the presence that proffers a pitiful token Again and again. Pitiful, in that my fadlure then for an instant blinds me. Not that love might not remember, but that love may waich and wait As a child hides to surprise. Such superstition yeminds me Early and late Of that exquisite devotion persistent beneath all changes, Of the soul’s steady gase—lovely memesis wavering there Por a breath, for a heartbeat. . . . It is this that stuns ond deranges. It is this that ¢s hard to bear. : feature of this brigade band is that it ac consists of four separate regimental units, each of which is capable of furnishing music for own school or regiment. Instruction is given at Central and Western High Schools by Paul Garret and at Tech and Eastern by MY, Ludwig Manoly. The band this year at Central High boasts 37 on its roster, headed by Capt. Armand Gordon. At Western there are 27 members, commanded by Capt. Ernest Murphy, ‘The Eastern High School Band has 27 boys, commanded by Capt. John Davis. Special mention must be made of the cadet band at Tech High School, which has achieved the highest enroliment in local high school history, This band, which now numbers 52, is still grow= ing and from all indications is headed toward being the crack unit of the brigade. Its youthe ful commander is Capt. William H. Cowgill Mr. Ludwig Manoly, their instructor, well known in Washington music circles, has accomplished excellent results. He is well qualified for such work, having been for some time instructor of string ensemble playing at Syracuse University, and before that he was associated with the late Victor Herbert. Much of the credit for the development of this excellent musical organization is due to Dr. Edwin N. C. Barnes, director of music edu= in the District schools. Viewed in fore years & mere accomplishment to be ace ou of school hours, music as an tial formal school education in this Was cherished view of Dr. Barnes, and strove energetically to bring this about. Dr. Barnes earnestly believes in the efficacy of bands toward character building. A survey of very recent date conducted by Conn Music Center, established in the in- 789 schools included, 710, or 90 bands or orchestras. The average & wind instrument or drum more .” What he gains from such activity are exactly those qualities that were dryly expressed in the old-fashioned maxim books—patience, persistence, etc. v EREEY [Egéfiiig Zinc Purity Standard Raised, 'I'quuesflnnot purity in zinc never dis- turbed consumers of the metal to any great * extent up until the past few years. If the metal ‘was reasonably pure it filled the bill and Hlttle