USA > California > Santa Clara County > War history of Santa Clara County > Part 5
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It was a great campaign! It was everybody's campaign-and everybody worked! What a joy it was to know that while we made wildernesses of back yards and vacant corner lots "blossom like the rose" we were helping to feed the men who held the line in the smoke and battle over- seas. It was grubbing-not glory-but patriotism grew in every garden.
SECOND LOAN CAMPAIGN
By September, 1917, the actualities of war had put a feeling of restriction around big American hearts. Flanders Fields were crimsoned with a stain redder than the crushed poppies. The con- stant roll of the guns shook the world. Troop trains filled with our own khaki-clad boys rolled across the country. Good-byes were said with the tears choked back and the heartaches camouflaged with smiles. There were accusations of sedition in high places. Colonel Roosevelt, in Kansas City, was urging haste and denouncing La Follette, all pacifists and the country's unpreparedness with scorching phillippics. Everywhere there was talk of only "six months more fighting weather"' and hope expressed that it might all be over before winter.
September 25, Lieutenant J. A. Crozin and Ser- geant A. D. Mackenzie of the Canadian contingent known as "Tohan's Tigers," came to tell us of the horrors and atrocities overseas. None who saw and heard him will ever forget Mackenzie, who had suffered almost complete loss of his sight, but whose heart still beat true for the cause of liberty and justice. We were slow to believe stories of atrocities-until witnesses like Sergeant Mackenzie came-straight from the grime and smoke and horror of the front.
These British recruiting officers gave a demon- stration of the gas mask and the use of the tri- angle bandage at Jay McCabe's. By every pos- sible method they appealed to us to help save the children-and we heard and understood. Then came the call for the second liberty loan.
Wednesday, September 26, 1917, San Jose bade good-bye to Companies B and M, California vol- unteers, trained at Fort Mason, who passed through on their way to "somewhere in France." That same day J. D. Kuster, W. S. Clayton, V. J. La+ Motte, Victor Palmer and Dr. W. C. Bailey went to San Francisco to consult with the general exec- utive committee. Friday the local meeting was held to arrange for the opening of the loan eam- paign October 1. The committee personnel
remained the same as in the first loan, John D. Kuster, chairman, and Dr. W. C. Bailey secretary.
At this time President Wilson, in his farewell to Henry Frank-Boullon, a member of the French cabinet, who was in Washington on official busi- ness, spoke the words that became the keynote of second liberty loan endeavor. "To the last man, to the last dollar, the whole force of the United States is at your service." With that idea in mind the committee commenced their second mon- umental task.
The city was divided into four districts, each with well defined street boundaries, and a com- petent executive head named for each district. Joseph M. Parker was made chairman of ward number 1; Arthur M. Free, ward number 2; A. L. Hubbard, ward number 3, and H. A. Harms, ward number 4. Each chairman appointed a working committee of from 50 to 100 in his district with captains and lieutenants so as to quickly organ- ize effective work.
Camp lists filled the papers,-camp lists that later tragically changed to casualties. Governor William D. Stephens issued a proclamation in which he said: "At this solemn moment I call upon the people of California in all publie gath- erings and assemblies to renew in their hearts their pledge of patriotic devotion to our country and flag."
John K. Lynch, governor of the Federal Reserve bank, asked the co-operation of all mayors and executive heads.
At this time the Eighth regiment, comprising over a thousand men, Colonel George M. Weeks commanding, arrived at Camp Fremont after a two months' trip from the Philippine islands. The famous California grizzlies were forming and camped at Tanforan, prominent among them being Major Robert I. Bentley, Captain Cedric R. Rich- mond, Captain Ellsworth E. Chase and Lieutenant Wilmer Gross. The cross above the hallowed grave of Lieutenant Wilmer Gross "somewhere in France"' casts its shadow on the hearts of the home-folk for the continuance of whose liberty he made the supreme sacrifice.
Sunday, September 30, 1917, the Argall Brothers quartet made their last appearance as a singing group at the Methodist church. Charles was to leave for France in a few days. Heart- breaking days were to intervene before San Joseans listened again to the voices of these brothers in the songs we had learned to love.
Joseph M. Parker's committee didn't waste any time. They met Sunday at the Vendome hotel and for cach of the six precincts in the first ward a chairman and his aides were named. Precinet No. 1 -- Henry Ayer, chairman; William Watson, Joseph Hartman, William I. Geoffroy, W. F. Curry and Dr. A. A. Cavagnara.
Precinet No. 2-Joseph Magistretti, chairman; D. M. Denegri, J. Cailleau, Eugene Pezolo, F. W. Hogan. Precinet 3-John V. Slavich, chairman; A. P. Lepesh, August P. Minjoulet, Gus Wendt,
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
N. A. Pellerano. Precinet 4-J. J. MeLaurin, chairman; Matt Glennon, W. P. Isham, A. R. Kennedy. Precinct 5-W. L. Atkinson, chairman; Dan J. Flannery, George H. Anderson, George Mc- Donald, J. R. Kocher, James Gillon, A. N. Losse. Precinet 6-Alexander Sheriffs, chairman; Harry Morris, J. F. O'Keefe, Miss Lynch, Mrs. Fred Keller, Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. J. J. Conniff, Mrs. Baggott.
Other war leaders hastened to perfect their working force. Free learned that Al Hubbard was coming over in his ward and appropriating some of the best workers. Hubbard made approaches to Billy Prussia, who was counted on by Free as a soliciting prize winner. That would never do. Free called a meeting at the chamber of commerce. Hubbard called a meeting at the same time and place! They compromised! It was the best com- promise in the world. They simply agreed to com- bine forees and fight side by side to a vietorious finish with the following committeemen:
Free's workers-S. W. Waterhouse, James Finley, C. A. Hall, Walter Lilliek, Juanita Halsey, Jennie Sheriffs, R. R. Syer, E. M. Rosenthal, S. Trapani, Jese Levy, Alexander Hart, Joe Millard, Bert Gassett, Judge P. F. Gosbey, Elmer E. Chase, Tom Bodley, Fannie Morrison, Mrs. C. A. Way- land, Dr. William Simpson, Dr. J. J. Miller, Gus Lion, Frank O'Connell, Alfred Madsen, Karl Stull, Mrs. Fosgate, Dr. David A. Beattie, Tom Watson, Mrs. T. L. Blanchard, Walter Chrisman, L. Mag- gini, Sam E. Smith, Samuel Tompkins, R. C. Me- Comish, Captain Bailey, Captain Cambpell, Mrs. Mae Faull, Mrs. Henry Lion, Mrs. S. Ogier, Robert Borchers, A. C. Kuhns, Ralph Lowe.
That aggregation doesn't sound as if Arthur Free needed to be stingy with Al Hubbard! But Ilubbard had some first lieutenants of his very own before that compromise, although conspiracy is evidenced by some of the names appearing on both lists. Hubbard elaimed Karl Stull (Karl was in demand), Charles R. Parkinson, E. P. Lion, Sanford Bacon, W. L. Prussia, (Billy was a bone of contention, too), Alexander Hart (that's two for him), Jay McCabe (everybody claimed Jay), Charles M. O'Brien, J. H. Levy (another elaim- jump here), Joseph DuBrutz, Clove Pomeroy, Val- entine Koeh, Walter Trinkler, Harrison P. Smith, J. W. Williams, Willianı Boschken.
In ward 4 H. A. Harms, chairman, put his sign and seal on the following gentlemanly solie- itors, eachi to name other able assistants: C. W. Davison, Judge Urban A. Sontheimer, E. P. Bonar, J. B. Chiappe, F. A. Gunn, J. M. MeKiernan, C. H. James, Mrs. D. H. Roberts.
Word eame that on the following Friday, October 5, more than 700 Liberty Boys would pass through San Jose on their way to Camp Lewis. Those boys had a grand reception. Citizens, Red Cross workers, everyone united to honor them. The reception and supper given them in St. James street next to the Park, followed the city's good- bye to 126 of the local boys, who left that day for army camps.
October 6, John D. Kuster received a telegram from Mrs. E. R. Brainard, chairman of the Woman 's Liberty Loan committee for California, asking that women be appointed for county work. Mrs. C. A. Wayland was given the honor of the first appointment as chairman and immediately began. to perfect an organization. The women entered into the campaign with as much fervor as the men.
Judge William A. Beasly headed the speakers' committee and secured Charles K. Field, editor of Sunset Magazine, who addressed an immense audience in the First Baptist church the next Sunday evening.
Other speakers who gave their services during the campaign under Judge Beasly's direction were J. S. Williams, Dr. J. W. Dinsmore, Arthur Free, Vietor LaMotte, Senator Herbert H. Jones, A. C. Kuhn, Fred L. Thomas, M. E. Griffiths, Victor Palmer, F. M. Coleman and Senator Frank H. Benson.
On October 8 a telegram from W. G. MeAdoo reached Joseph M. Parker, president of the eham- ber of commerce, "I am counting upon San Jose." ran the message, "to overseribe its allotment to the second liberty loan, and know that the patriot- ism of your citizens ean be relied upon to achieve the desired result. The failure of one liberty loan would be worse than a defeat upon the battlefield. America can never permit such a defeat."
On October 9 the liberty loan committee met and Chairman Kuster called for greater effort. "We are all busy now," he said, "but let's get busier, double our exertions and clean this thing up inside of ten days."
Mrs. Charles C. Wayland's committee of women was co-operating with the men's liberty loan committee and the women's eouneil of defense.
H. W. MeComas was made chairman of the four minute men-Arthur M. Free, Senator Jones and Grant Bennett, Dr. James B. Bullitt was added to the general executive committee and was to spend all his time visiting the various loeal- ities throughout the county to assist the commit- tees with his energy and enthusiasm for the pat- riotie purpose of the loan. Frank Hoyt was to attend the showing of slides at the theatres. Parkinson and Sheriffs were to arrange for a gigantie school parade. F. J. MeHenry was made responsible for the appearance on hotel menu cards of liberty loan "reminders." He is the man to blame for "Have you bought a Bond?" getting mixed up with the roast beef and mashed potatoes. He stirred up many a sleeping conscience and dis- turbed placid indigestions!
About this time we began to hear of "the contemptible little army." Anti-loan plotters were at work. Pro-German propagandists were bending all their energies to defeat the loan. The President issued a proclamation making October 24 Liberty day, and asking that the result of the loan campaign be "so impressive and emphatie that it will echo throughout the empire of our
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
enemy as an index of what America intends to do to bring this war to a victorious conelusion,"
When the middle of October passed with only $500,000 out of the quota of $3,000,000 raised in the county, a mass meeting was called at the Vie- tory theatre. Hon. C. C. Moore, president P. P. I. E. and Warren Gregory, a San Francisco law- yer, made eloquent appeals particularly to the farmers, stating that Santa Clara county was not coming up to the expectations founded on its agricultural wealth. "Isn't there a deuee' of a lot of theoretical patriotism here?" asked one speaker. "Isn't there a large number of men who have sacrificed nothing whatever of their con- venienee for their country in its struggle? They say the farmers are holding back. Lord love 'em! The government is going to get this money. If they don't get it through loans they will tax you for it. Birds that ean sing and won't sing ought to be made to sing!"
That address made many "backward farm- ers" sing to the tune of things, but a greater volume of subscriptions began to come in. A clearing house for the bonds was opened in room 711, across the hall from headquarters in Rich- mond's office, with Mrs. Amanda Miller and Edith Coalman in charge.
Friday, October 19, San Jose saw a wonder- fully inspiring parade of school children. More than 5000 were in line with banners and flags, drum corps and bands. The parade, fifteen bloeks long, was led by City Manager Reed and Charles Parkinson, head of the committee.
The grammar schools, the high school student body, hundreds of Normal students and even the "little tots" were in that parade. The Agnew state band swelled the chorus of ninsie. Effective ban- ners appeared at intervals. One proud little boy 's banner proclaimed, ."' My daddy has done his share. Has yours? The colors of all nations blended with the Stars and Stripes and were prophetie of the years to come the years of the new brotherhood for which we were fighting.
Much of the success of the inspiring 'parade was due to the efforts of Dr. M. E. Dailey, Agnes B. Howe and Alexander Sherriffs.
Many things beside spectacular parades were helping the liberty loan committee obtain their quota. Letters were coming to the home folks from absent boys-boys in faraway places. Neil H. Petree, with the Stanford Ambulance unit, wrote from Albania. The world seemed to have lost its geographical divisions. Americans were everywhere-and they had to be taken care of. We hurried a bit with that loan.
The president's proclamation had designated October 24 as Liberty day and Joseph M. Parker, Chas. R. Parkinson, Henry Ayer and Joseph T. Brooks went to Camp Fremont to confer with Captains Smiley, Keek and Creed about having the troops take part in the day's demonstration.
Dr. James B. Bullitt, J. S. Williams and Vietor Palmer did valiant liberty loan work among the Japanese and Portuguese residents of the county
and found them possessed of a fine spirit of patri- otism and eager to co-operate.
"Billy" Emerson, San Jose's veteran Newsie, was a live bond solicitor. Ile talked bonds to the newsboys until they were all interested. Just as soon as "Billy" got a prospective buyer he marched him over to the First National bank, where W. S. Clayton completed the financial arrange- ments. The First National stood firmly back of these boys. No matter what kind of terms had to be made they were satisfactory to the big bank. The "newsies" got their bonds and Unele Sam found he had an able ally in "Billy " Emerson.
Clayton was bond booster and bond baeker. During the campaign he and Fred L. Thomas "put over" a street carnival of their own. Thomas did the "speeling" and Clayton sold the bonds. Wherever they appeared they gained applause and bond subscribers.
The churches devoted October 21 to rousing enthusiasm for the campaign. The slogan of the day was "Keep faith with the Soldiers." One appealing minister pictured the Christ as "stand- ing in the smoke of the greatest and most terrific battle in the life of the world and asking that the red lust of murder be wiped out forever!"
Wednesday, October 24, news eame of a vie- torious smash by' the French. The German line north of the Aisne was broken and the foe routed at Chavignon. In Flanders both the British and French were holding the Ypres gains. It began to look like business and the slight encouragement gave new impetus to the liberty loan.
On October 22, six batteries of the Grizzlies' Field Artillery passed through on their way to "somewhere"-and we waved a last goodbye.
Then came Liberty Day with its jostling crowds lining the streets while there passed such a spectacular parade numbering more than 15,000 persons, as had never before thrilled the hearts of San Joseans. The Eighth regiment came from Camp Fremont with over 600 seasoned troopers. There were seven bands, including the Eighth Regiment band, beside numerous drum corps. Catholie. schools, Notre Dame, grammar and high and normal schools, Santa Clara university and the College of the Pacific; fraternal and civic organizations,-all classes and ereeds were in the line of march. To be exact there were no elasses or ereeds-there were just patriotic Americans, from the grand marshal at the head to the small boy on a dilapidated bieyele bringing up the rear. Police Chief Black led the parade with Manager Reed grand marshal and Sheriff Arthur B. Lang- ford chief aid. Members of the Liberty Loan committee acted as the grand marshal's staff. In St. James Park, following the parade, refreshments were served to the Eighth Regiment after which ' Arthur M. Free electrified the immense gathering with his eloquent patriotism.
Deputy Distiret Attorney M. E. Griffith addressed the crowd from an auto near the park, again from the steps of the Garden City bank and a third time at the corner of St. James and First
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
strects.
The men who gave their time and energy to make this parade an unforgettable - event were Joseph M. Parker, committee chairman, Charles R. Parkinson, John D. Kuster, A. E. Holmes, Thomas H. Reed, Karl Stull, Howell D. Melvin, Dr. W. C. Bailey, Joseph T. Brooks, Henry M. Ayer, Arthur B. Langford.
that Liberty Day The practical result of demonstration was $1,581,750 subscribed to bonds.
Two days more-and a final tremedous effort! San Jose had it to do-San Jose would not fail! Dr. W. C. Bailey bad a wonderful idea. No one had thought of the Boy Scouts. Late Thursday afternoon Dr. Bailey communicated with F. F. MeLain, Scout Master, asking that 100 Boy Scouts meet the committee at 6:15 at the Montgomery hotel. Every boy was there! That was some sup- per! Bailey, Kuster, Reed, Clayton, Bullitt, Rich- man and McLain all addressed the boys and asked their help for the last two days of the campaign. Scouts know how to yell. They greeted each speaker in a way that was new to him-very com- plimentary but disconcerting. They cheered E. N. Richmond as the "Prune King." They gave cheers for the "boy grown tall' individually and collectively and threw in a number of wild yells for good measure. The committee "chipped in" on the spot and bought a bond for the Scouts. The Scouts were enlisted-full of patriotism and "pep."
Portable booths, constructed under the direc- tion of Karl Stull sprung up like mushrooms over night. Friday morning two Red Rross nursese and two business men were on duty in cach booth. The Boy Scouts were everywhere. When a man or woman appeared without a Liberty Loan button a small police khaki-clad boy asked "where's your button?" They added something potent abont the appeal of those clean American boys. They added thousands of dollars to the list of subscrip -. tions. Wild enthusiasm broke up all the com- mittecmen's dignity when Boy Scout Joe Carter reported at headquarters a subscription of $30,000 which he had secured from Pyle & Sons cannery. One small Boy Scout and a $30,000 subscription! It was a big day! Saturday night the records showed over $37,000 in subscriptions credited to the Boy Scouts and returns incomplete.
The second Liberty Loan campaign ended Saturday night, October 27, with a subscription of $3,346,200. When the books closed the following Wednesday the total amount subscribed was $3,365,100-another overscription! Of this amount $63,000 was secured by the Woman's committee. The Liberty Loan committee, by Chairman John Kuster and Dr. W. C. Bailey, sceretary, in a grace- ful letter of thanks voiced their appreciaton of the enthusiastic interest in the campaign taken by all those who were called upon to help.
This letter of appreciation was in part as follows:
"The cheers of 1300 homesick Santa Clara county boys are heard across the Atlantic and from
every training camp, grateful that patriotism, duty and personal sacrifice are appreciated and mani- fested in a substantial way by those left at home. * For all this and more, believing that these examples of loyalty inspire every heart with a greater love for country, a greater devotion to duty and a solemn pledge of personal sacrifice until the end, we are profoundly grateful.".
Liberty Loan committee, by John D. Kuster, Chairman, W. C. Bailey, Secretary.
San Jose's number of subscribers in this second loan was 4,722. County subscribers, 3250, making a total of 7972, an increase of 970 over the first loan. San Jose's subscription was $2,305,650 .. The county total $1,059,459, making a total of $3,365,- 100. The average subscription per capita for the city was $488. For the county, $326, with an average of $422. In this loan seven and two-fifths of the population subscribed a slight increase over the percentage of those subscribing to the first loan.
SECOND Y. M. C. A. DRIVE
National War Work councils were ablebodied! They were strong on recommendations, receiving encouragement, doubtless, from the overwhelming response to every call. On November 9, 1917, the National War Work council of the Y. M. C. A., recommended the raising of a fund of $35,000,000 to serve not only the men of the United States army and navy, but the soldiers of the allies and all prisoners of war, throughout the war zones. Everywhere one heard hearty endoresments of the practical work of the "Y." T. A. Wright wrote from Camp Lewis to his friend, Ray McMahon, saying in part: "Summing up the whole thing you might say that the Y. M. C. A., is to the boys here as sugar is to your coffee!"
On Saturday, November 9, 1917, 50 represent- ative business men sat down to luncheon in the Y. M. C. A. auditorium to talk over the big call and formulate plans for the local campaign. Senator Herbert C. Jones outlined the plan and suggested that gifts be measured "only by the ability to give," since the Y. M. C. A., was doing a wonderful work for "these boys of ours." Judge W. A. Beasly spoke of the thousands of let- ters written on red triangle stationery that were coming to the home folks-evidence of the far- reaching influence of the association. "If we wani to keep the home ties from breaking," said the judge, "we want to keep the home fires burning in the hearts of the boys and that is what the Y. M. C. A. is doing for them." Other speakers told of the fund being endorsed by General Persh- ing and President Wilson, who were asking each one to "help the 'Y' help your boy."
The campaign was scheduled for the weck of November 11 to 19 with a local quota of $25,000. That sounded tremendous, especially with so many other calls being made. Christmas cheer for the boys was taking lots of ready cash. The Elks were preparing their empty stocking fund entertain- ment because with so many daddies in the trenches
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
there were going to be lots of pitifully empty stockings. The Y. W. C. A. and the K. of C. drives were programmed. San Joseans had become so used to that little word "eampaign" that they could spell it backward. We were in the war "to the last man and the last dollar" and this appeal, voieed by an old mother when she said to a Y. M. C. A. secretary, "take care of my boy-he's all I've got," found something warmly human stir- ring the heartstrings. "God bless 'em," said a bereft father in speaking of the "Y" workers, "they're the fathers of thousands of boys!"
Sunday, November 11, 1917, was Y. M. C. A. day in the churches of the county and early Mon- day morning 20 teams of purposeful business men opened the big drive. One generous hearted man of affairs thought he started the ball rolling with a subseription of $500 but a little stenographer was ahead of him with her proportionate gift of $5. For the first hour the registering thermometer just kept jumping-jumping steadily toward the $25,000. There were two subseriptions of $1000 each; 12 of $500 each and 25 of $100 each; but it was the "mites"' that brought up the total.
At the daily luneheons reports encouraged the workers. On Thursday during a particularly thril- ling speech a little boy, a eripple, slipped in and listened to the eloquent appeal. After the meet- ing elosed he went quietly to George Wilson, see- retary, and asked timidły if "a little bit would help?" He gave his bit-50 eents in niekles and pennies-and limped away with a happy smile on his thin little faee. That stenographer's first $5 and the little eripple's 50 cents were pure gold!
The high school boys' committee were enthus- iastie workers. They subseribed $970 in $10 gifts that were to be "earned and given." Nine San Jose girls made "earn and give" pledges of $10 each. These girls were Malva Beatty, Graee Lim- eriek, Julia Holdredge, Hazel Diekinson, Georgine Fink, Beth Crummey, Lilah Seeley and Lola Bur- diek. The children in the kindergarten wanted to help and a special fund took care of their pennies and dimes.
Small wonder that the schools were interested with 45 high school boys in service and more than 3000 gone from the county. Leland Prussia and Laurene Jackson left November 16 to join the naval reserve, having qualified as wireless teleg- raphers. With a blue star shining in the window of a lonely home for each departed lad, fathers and mothers remembered to be thankful that there were "Y" huts everywhere. The red triangle marked a hut at the foot of Mount Sinia, where the Apostle Paul preached the gospel to Alexandria and there was the same kind of hut and the same insignia at Camp Fremont. Remembrance of what it all stood for- clean manhood-rolled up the sub- seriptions and sent the thermometer nearer the top.
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