USA > California > Santa Clara County > War history of Santa Clara County > Part 9
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by French soldiers from brass shells. Canelo Brothers & Stackhouse gave an entire /window for a liberty bond bridge which showed American soldiers crossing to Europe on the "Road to Vie- tory." Frank E. Smith's window held a flag flown in Waltham, Massachusetts during the Civil . war and a copper stew pan carried through the Revo- lutionary war by Robert Simms. This was the property of M. Enna Ringo, a San Jose school teacher. Bacon's window featured a hemet picked up on the battlefield by Bruce Bacon and also pre- sented a representation of Bartholdi's statue of liberty. F. W. Gross & Son arranged a particularly attractive display of the national colors draped about a striking liberty loan poster. The First National bank not only took its full quota in bonds and held $750,000 of the government's treasury cer- tificates. W. S. Clayton, its president, put 'every ounee of enthusiasm and the last minute of time into the campaign and then caused the entire First National bank building to simply flower in flags of the allies and the Stars and Stripes! Hundreds of flags tossed their colors from every side of the big building that held the fourth liberty loan honor flag at the crest of the proudest flagstaff in town!
The situation in the city became exceedingly dif- ficult. Influenza closed schools and churches. Peo- ple stayed at home or went about necessary busi- ness safeguarded by masks. Putting through the loan in the face of the combined difficulties and discouragements was a phenomenal feat of patriot- ism. But put it through, Joe Parker did, with the never-failing shoulder-to-shoulder team work of the War Work council and the Women's army. Even the prune trees blossomed out of season as an omen for the superstitious!
On Saturday, October 19, 1918, bells, horns and whistles noisily announced victory. Joe Parker shook hands with everybody, turned a handspring on the roof of the First National bank, saluted Old Glory and the Honor Flag. Then he settled down with a very tired sigh behind the big bouquet of carnations presented to him by his "comrades in arms" at headquarters. Santa Clara county was credited with an oversubscription of $826,650-an over-subscription obtained in the face of almost un- believable difficulties and discouragements.
They talked it over. They remembered the day when they went to San Francisco to try for a re- duced quota. It couldn't be reduced-but they were told to do the "best they could" in view of the county's great financial loss. If the quota could not be reached an explanatory statement 'would be issued by those in authority. The San Jose "boys" came home. But on the way they confided one to another that they could put it across with an oversubscription. They did! And the half of the story of brave endeavor, of their splendid spirit, of never giving, cannot be told. Jo- seph M. Parker's personality, his patriotism, his optimism, his kindly methods of handling "touchy problems," his unshaken belief in what would be the final answer to the nation's call, these things were deciding factors in the Fourth Liberty Loan
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
campaign.
Judge P. F. Gosbey of the Council of Defense made the following acknowledgment of Parker's able leadership: "I wish to express the apprecia- tioin of the Santa Clara county division of the Council of Defense for the excellent work done by J. M. Parker during the Fourth Liberty Loan cam- paign. It was largely due to his efforts and to those of his able assistants that the campaign was carried through in this city and county to such great success. The result 'will always stand as a monument to Joseph M. Parker's ability and loy- alty.
In the Fourth Loan San Jose had 20,075 sub- seribers. The total bond subscription was $3,595,- 000, per capita average of $179. For the county, subscribers 11,662, amount $1,899,700 per cápita $163. . City and county subscribers, 31,735; amount $5,494,700, per capita $173. In this loan 29 and two-fifths of the population subscribed as against 19 per cent subscribing for the Third Loan.
The twelve vice chairmen charged with the re- sponsibility of raising the last $900,000 \ Charles M. O'Brien, Alexander Hart, Fred Law- rence Foster, D. L. Smith, E. N. Richmond, A. O. Mathews, J. B. Clayton, Bert Shatterdahl J. D. Crummey, Walter G. Mathewson, H. D. Melvin and Alexander Sherriffs.
"7-IN-1" DRIVE
While priest and protestant clergymen ministered to the men of all nationalities and creeds on the battlefields where all differences were forgotten in a common cause, in the homeland there developed a new bond of brotherhood. A splendid demonstra- tion of this broader understanding was the "Seven in One" campaign in November, 1918, when seven great war work organizations united under one banner. Each planned a separate campaign, but following the President's suggestion, the "zero hour" was met at home as it was met overseas- all together.
Santa Clara county sounded an unanimous call for Arthur D. Curtner to be its drive leader. This intensely patriotic American was an outstanding figure because of liis magnificent service in all war work undertaken by the community. Assisting committee represented each local organization.
Y. M. C. A., Herbert C. Jones; Natioinal Catho- lie War Council, including Knights of Columbus, M. E. Griffith; War Camp Community Service, E. N. Richmond; Y. W. C. A., Mrs. L. T. Smith; Jew- ish Welfare Board, U. S. army and navy, J. 11. Levy; Salvation Army, J. M. Parker; American Library Association, Stella Huntington.
" Morale," said Napoleon" is to other factors in the war as three to one." Preserving the morale of the allied armies was the "reason for being" of these seven great organizations. They represented more than 15,000 uniformned workers; operated 3600 buildings; shipped 500 tons of supplies to "the boys" every week. Their weekly shipment of fif- teen miles of film meant a soldier and sailor at- tendance at the movies of over 2,500,000 homesick, war-weary boys.
The mercy emblems of the "Big Seven" dotted every camp and cantonment and field of battle. They were not only behind the lines-they wer at the front where the guns thundered and death reaped its bloody harvest. Morale? What horror upon horror it would have been without the light ·of the home fires that the war work organizations never allowed to die!
Early in November the mercy ship commanded by Arthur Curtner, set sail on the seven seas of patriotic endeavor. With that firm hand at the helm and a crew of purposeful men and women the emblazoned ship was sure of a full cargo and a safe return to the home harbor.
Every one hailed it and each hail meant an added hoard of dollars! Each member of a labor union promised a day's wages. Each employee in factory or shop gave a day's pay. The Grammar Schools organized as Victory Girl's and Victory Boys with a Captain in each room. Alexander Sherriffs and Miss Nell O'Brien led the school campaign. High School and college forces combined as the "Stu- dents' Goal" under Joseph E. Hancock's leader- ship and County Superintendent D. T. Bateman planned and 'worked and helped to heap up the dol- lars for the comfort of the boys.
Genevieve Ehle of the Washington school was the first Victory Girl to sign a $5 Earn-and-Give pledge. A like pledge gave Henry Bell of the Jefferson school the honor of leading the Victory Boys. With the schools closed because of the dread influ- enza the campaign was not an easy one. Miss O'Brien mailed more than 5000 pledge cards. The brought results. Little Elwood H. Hunter's letter is a sample of the interesting communications that heaped every teacher's desk:
20 West Jerome street, San Jose.
Dear Teacher :- Enclosed please find $5 for the Victory Boys' campaign which I earned my own self. Hoping it will reach you safely, I am your pupil, ELWOOD B. IFUNTER.
The entire War Work Council with experienced workers and all its machinery of office stood solidly behind this drive. The advisory commit- tee issued a proclamation of commendation early in the campaign and then started out to follow up their own pronouncement with hard work.
A huge banner appeared at First and Santa Clara streets. This historic corner had watched many banners insistently call attention to war needs but never had the wind buffeted a banner so huge as this one with its tremendous message, "Seven in One, to a Single End-For Our Boys Over There!" ' Over that slogan,-God! Under it,-Brother- hood! Its message and practical part in the cam- paign were worked out by R. H. Knox of the pub- licity committee. Jay MeCabe and S. S. Bryant, local managers of a billboard concern, saw to it that posters did their hit.
Helen and Alice Schwitzgabel, Clarise Pfeffer and Thelma Pennington donned overalls, armed themselves with buckets of paste and bundles of posters and decorated the billboards with a striking poster -- "For Every Fighter, a Woman Worker."
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
The Women's Mobolized Army marshalled their forees under their "tried and true" leaders, Mrs. D. A. Beattie and Mrs. L. T. Smith, The "majors" who shouldered the campaign responsibility were Mesdames P. F. Gosbey, J. J. Byl, F. Van Dalsam, J. E. Haneoek, C. C. Little, W. S. Clayton,, Chas. R. Parkinson, Nicholas Bowden, George Seeley, N. H. Booker and Miss Ida Wehner.
Shop windows blazed with the brillianey of red, white and hlue, and appealed by posters and sio- gans. Among the most striking window decora- tions were those of the Owl Drug company, Frank J. Somers, Pacifie Gas & Electric company, Sherman Clay & Co., Trinkler Dohrman & Co., Prussia's, Reich & Lievre, D. M. Denegri's pharmacy, The Areade, A. S. Bacon & Son, Appleton & Co., F. W. Gross & Son, L. H. Hart & Son, M. Blum Co., Stu'] & Sonniksen and the Phil Herold Shoe company.
Hearts were in this campaign,-hearts hurt by war and oppressed hy the influenza epidemic's death toll,-but beating tremulously with the hope of peace. Rumor and fluttering hope turned to faet with the signing of the armistice on November 11. There were prayers and tears, the stillness of deat !! in the hearts of those whose loved ones would never come home-and shouts that lifted to the stars!
With the time limit fixed, the world had waited for the signing of the armistice and the sileneing of the guns. Almost everyone went to sleep, while waiting! John G. Robinson, San Jose's Examiner representative, was "on the job". He grew tired and yawned-but waited. A little before midnight John ordered "dinner" at a South First street restaurant. While waiting for the dinner he tele- phoned to the San Francisco Examiner. There .might be "something doing, you know!" There was! John never ate that meal. Neither did he Iwait for an elevator at the Hotel Montgomery, He took the stairs in a leap and pounded on Jay Me- Cabe's door. Not a sonl was in sight on the streets. Jay and John, with shotguns, broke the village slumbers into smithereens and a fire alarm did the rest. San Joseans hurried from everywhere. They built a huge bonfire and actually, "burned" the pavement in front of "Jay's" First street store. Alexander Sherriffs mounted to the top of the Garden City Bank building and led a community sing with "The Star Spangled Banner." Jitney Bill-otherwise William Wallace-in an exuberance of armstiee-joy, threw his eoat and hat into the fire. The sedate town went wild in its midnight celebra- tion of hysteria that hid. tears. Whistles, hells, auto sirens, every noise making contrivaner added te the din. Influenza was forgotten.
.
November 12, declared a holiday by the city man- ager, saw great throngs of rejoicing people, massed down town to watch the great "armistice parade," That parade, three miles long, took an honr and a half to pass a given point. Schools, all fraterna; and other organizations, boy scouts, cadets,-hun- dreds of rejoieiing men and women needed no urg- ing to "get in line." This parade, with a tumult of sound, perhaps the most unforgettable in county
history, simply formed itself!
Rejoicing did not make all the home folks forget the still existant need of the boys. Without the work of fighting the soldier's need increased. The campaign workers rallied to that need against the time mobolization which might be two years. Each organization had a "day" of campaign week for its own. This meant effort along an individual line and a dollar-compelling program at the street "Ilut" which was "Coal Carried" from Santa Clara to San Fernando street.
The drive held touches of pathos. One 1:001 woman, who does washing for a living, thought. just at first that she couldn't give anything. As the worker turned away the woman saul eagerly, "Oh. wait a minute! I have saved a dollar! I was going to send it to him for Christmas-but it is better to give it this way."
An aged man, dependent upon county bounty, gave his blessed mite-ten cents. Five little mem- bers of one family formed a weed pulling, lawn mowing corporatiion "earned and gave,"-$5. They didn't work an hour and ask father for the money. They worked every daylight hour of three days. Another woman with tear-filled eyes offered her gift-a few thrift stamps. . "It is all I have saved, " she said, "but I have a boy in France- and maybe this will help him."
The Salvation Army under the leadership of Joe Parker, pulled at the very heartstrings of a gener- ons community. The Salvation Army has earned its high place-earned it for all time -- in the honor of a remembering and grateful world. It was a great day when the Salvationists dispensed real "front trench" holeless doughnuts and coffee at the "Hut." Joe Parker delighted to don the red banded army eap and hear the dollars thump on the old bass drum in response to the appeal of the Lads and Lassies. Capt. and Mrs. William M. Bamford of the local Salvation Army, with their four children and a corps of other salvationists, presided at the hut, furnished music and worked tirelessly during the campaigu.
Society women, members of the Defenders' eluh, donned Hoover uniforms and became street venders and entertainers for the "Seven-in-One." The Knights of Columbus, with only 280 members and 75 per cent of them with the colors, were a who'e army corps of valiant service. The publicity eom- mittee, silenced in many ways by the prevailing epidemie, painted slogans on sidewalks, signs on billboards, deseerated shop windows with flaming posters, and flung to the winds insistent banners and flags. Merle Grey, James Fellom, Alvin Long, llarry Knox, M. E. Griffith, Herbert Jones and Jay MeCabe taught the campaigners ao spell "publie- ity" with capital letters and to doff their bonnets before their power!
The harbor of success was not reached unevent- fully. That "merey ship" tossed sometimes in tronbled waters. Hearts beat sympathetically, but there became apparent an insiduous forgetful- ness of existing needs after the signing of the arm- istice. This had to be overcome by hard work and
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
educational propaganda. llow completely indiffer- ence owned defeat showed in results-the quota for city and county raised with an oversubscription of $25,000!
The success of the Seven-in-One campaign is a monument to the leadership of Arthur D Curt- ner, a remarkable tribute to his high idealism an spendid Americanisin. Eager for patriotic service of a practical kind, Arthur Curtner came into the War Work Council during its formative period and donated his entire time to the war interests of the community. Serving as special secretary .to the country districts during bond campaigns; acting in the capacity of War Work Council secretary; chair. man, and later treasurer, of the great "Seven-in- One" drive, Arthur Curtner won a high place in the esteem of his fellow workers and in the hearts of all who honor unselfish service and loyally patriotic and unswerving Americanism. Throughout the strenuous days of this last big war drive, Arthur Curtner looked to the goal with clear vision, firm in his faith that the people would do their share- and a little more. That was Arthur Curtner's "quota" of service-always his share-with full measure, heaped up and running over!
THE VICTORY LOAN
· The first Liberty Loan campaign in June, 191.", was notable in achievement owing to the lack of organization. The Victory Loan drive, fifth and last of the government's call for funds, aided by all the well-oiled machinery of the War Work Council, was carried to success against the great handicap of prevalent indifference. With the war over, hun- dreds of perfectly loyal Americans took the atti- tude of "let George do it." From this "cold wave of unconcern the War Work Council and the Vic- tory Loan committee, led by intrepid J. M. Parker, brought the vital issue into the warmth of success. They did this by the power of able leadership and the "never-say-die"' patriotism of the Council's and the Womans' Mobilized Army personnel of 'workers.
Each line drawn on the charts of these two won- derful county organizations, connecting 53 Soutlı First street with town or remote hamlet, was a red line of heart's blood, and each name representing · a district became at a touch a dynamic battery of purposeful effort.
Whoever conducts a "drive" becomes of neces- sity pastmaster in all ancient and modern strategic military and civilian arts, in fact, a finished diplo- mat! Just how finished is not to be determined by full quota or oversubscription but rather by the red-blooded quality of the service.
J. M. Parker was drive-leader diplomat par ex- cellence! Backing up a dominant personality with splendid unselfishness of patriotism, he led his "hosts to victory"-victories not only of name and cold figures; but victories of magnificent un- written battles whose history can only be known to those who watched and waited and worked side by side with the leader who recognized no other de- mand than his country's need.
Early in April 1919, the preliminary campaign,
directed by the War Work Council, Womans' Army, the Four-Miniute-Men, Dan Flannery's speak. committee, bands and whippet tanks, turned public attention to the payment of war's tremendous "charge account." Whosoever dances must pay the piper. Who fights must also pay! Before the drive W. S. Clayton spoke of the phenomenal rec- ord of the United States in paying its debts. "It will be harder to float this loan because many pco- ple will adopt the policy of "letting George do it."
"But, " he added, "we must bring our boys who are across the Atlantic back to their home land. We must uphold their belief that America is behind them. This became the compelling slogan of the Victory Loan campaign-' help bring the boys home. "
The leaders faced a "labor" shortage. School teachers who had served previously with such wonderful volunteer spirit could not give thei: time. Much of the organization had "drifted away." Appeals for campaigners, oft repeated, ob tained results. The unique advertising stunt of drive was the Volunteer Day "air cireus," staged by James B. Leaman, F. E. Chapin and Arthur E. Holmes. Airplanes from Mather Field circled above the county scattering from the clouds more than 15,000 Victory Loan dodgers. One dodger in each thousand bore the red-lettered word "helmet." The fortunate one who secured this fluttering bit of paper per airplane, exchanged it at war work
. headquarters for a captured German helmet. The first one was claimed by Mrs. Elizabeth Page, 468 North Third street.
More than $1,000,000 of the county's $3,600,0 quota was "voted" on Volunteer Day, April 21, 1919 After that the entire Loan organization set- tled down to a steady whirr of wheels within wheels and a determined buzz of industry. During the first great week the city's interests were three- fold; Victory Loan campaign, teachers' institute and the State Conference of Social Service Agencies. Through all this condition of eloquence the government's appeal continued to be heard. The drive gained impetus when a thrill ran from the Ferry Building to the confines of Santa Clara county with the news of the return of the boys! The 347th field artillery and 363rd infantry brought dozens of the boys home. Many proud San Joseans wore arm bands of infantry blue or artillery red and crowded against the ropes between Beale and Spear streets in San Francisco to greet loved ones. The happy ones marked homecomings by buying bonds. Those who still awaited someone's coming hastened the glad day by subscriptions.
Edwin E. Lordge, over four years steward of the Moose club, came back with the 363rd. Jack Shea, Gus Wendt and Bert Marquardt constituted a com- mittee that brought Lorde back and installed him in his old job-with double pay.
"Reconstruction" and the program of jobs for returned soldiers occupied press and people. Bonds had to speak a little louder in order to be hea but tho patient house-to-house, store-to-factory army of Victory Bond getters spoke clearly-and clo-
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
quently.
The first week, "Honor Week, "-names of sub- seribers were posted on the windows of the Rail- road Administration office with small subscribers in the minority. It had been the $50 and $100 buy- ers who constituted the deciding factor in other drives. Business classification was under direction of Louis Campiglia, the undaunted chairman of the San Jose War Work council.
Long before the reception day, May 1, 1919, the town began to voice its welcome to the boys. Buildings blossomed with flags and bunting. Ban- ners with words of greeting flung themselves across the streets. Unsightly posts and electroliers dis- appeared under masses of greenery. Ropes of red, white and blue electric lights swung across spaces and linked street with street. W. L. Prussia, Jack Shea and J. L. Squires, who had the decorations of a city in their charge, called on the hills and down came carloads of garlands! Everything was in at- tire and every heart attuned to joy! Colonel L. M. Farrell and Lieutenant Louis Van Dalsem, with t boys of Companies B and M, found a San Jose committee waiting to greet them in Oroville, with an invitation to the May Day reception. Never- theless, the greatest preparation for the glad day of homecoming for the men from camp and trench. was the little "V" button on the coat lapel. Every day more and more coats were decorated.
Not in the spectacular way, but quietly and effi- ciently the Victory Loan leaders sped the three American warships on their goal-making course from San Francisco to New York by way of Pana- ma canal.
Who will ever forget the May Day, 1919, recep- tion and parade? Members of the War Worl council, every service man-army, navy, canton- ment or overseas-every organization, Red Cross, Defenders' club, Woman's Army, Boy Scouts, Stu- dent Army Training Corps, schools, bands, G. A. ! Women's Relief Corps,-proud fathers and mothers, sisters, sweethearts and wives,-the city and cour marched or lined the streets to honor "our boys" with tears and cheers, with hearty hand clasp and scattered rose petals! Proudest of all were those who wore the insignia of the little "V." That was practical welcome-it helped to bring the loved ones back. At the Normal "quad" City Manager Bailey and Alexander Sherriffs eloquently voiced the universal welcome. Then the loan committee with invigorated purpose went back to war work headquarters and began a "whirlwind" finish of their tremendous task. .
W. S. Clayton and John R. Chace broke their own record by securing $318,000 in bond subscriptions in four days. These free-lance campaigners deserved the sincere gratitude of their fellow-workers. The bestowal of special honor flags was an inadequate expression of appreciation. W. S. Clayton enlisted in the war at its beginning and fought on every campaign front until the last echo of the last ( drifted to silence. His patriotism had the back- ing not only of "Will's" personality but of his bank-the First National They were in the fight
together-and to the limit of responsibility. Bond subscriptions listed at the First National showed a creditable percentage of the totals. At the time of the second loan the bank numbered 1045 sub- scribers; third loan 3016 subscribers out of 20,530, and the fourth loan 4595 subscribers out of 31,725 --- about 19 per cent; the Victory Loan showed a proud record of total subscriptions, including a !- lotments of $725,000! No wonder the big bank liked to bloom, with flags and bunting in honor cf oversubscriptions!
The five San Joes banks-Garden City Bank and Trust Company, Bank of Italy, Bank of San Jose, Security Savings Bank and the First National Bank put very substantial shoulders to each wheel of ef- fort. They carried not only the heavy burdens of "loan quotas" but helped by every possible meth- od to make the way easy for the individual sub- scriber. Bonds wouldn't have been bought without the loyalty of the Banks. Back of them stood the loyalty and unswerving determination of the Santa Clara County War Work Council, under the guid- ance of Dr. W. C. Bailey, who patriotically shoul- dered the tremendous responsibilities leadership at the commencement of war activities. His strength of purpose, sturdily capable Americanism and un- flagging zeal won the whole-hearted gratitude of every loyal citizen. Through the long months, whether things went well or ill, when plans were brought to quick consummation or program went awry, Dr. Bailey never failed an issue or permitted his idealism to fall below the highest measure of accomplishment.
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