USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Fifty years of Boston; a memorial volume issued in commemoration of the tercentenary of 1930; 1880-1930, Pt. 2 > Part 30
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This was the beginning of a zealous surge of patriotic service in Boston, which spread throughout New England.
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THE UPRISING TO MEET THE CRISIS
Of course any detailed account of Boston in the days of the World War must be beyond the limits of this chapter. But it will present the picture to the reader to state that, in addition to all the strenuous activities common to our cities at this trying time, Boston was the headquarters of the Department of the Northeast, U. S. A. (constituted May 1, 1817), and of the First Naval District, U. S. N. (Boston Navy Yard). As can easily be imagined, this meant busy times for Boston, as these were, respectively, the military and the naval centers of all New England.
THE NATIONAL GUARD
The National Guard was called into the Federal service and Camp Devens was designated as the training place for the Twenty-Sixth Division from New England, under Major-General Clarence R. Edwards, U. S. A. The dis- tinguished service rendered by this division is well known as a matter of record.
Those of the Massachusetts National Guard who were not enrolled in the Twenty-Sixth Division were assigned to a depot brigade at Camp Green, North Carolina, under the command of Brigadier-General E. Leroy Sweetser. These became the nucleus of different commands sent overseas.
As Massachusetts was thus left without any militia, a local force was organized, called the Massachusetts State Guard, under the command of Major-General Butler Ames. This comprised a total of about 725 officers and 10,800 men. By a wise provision they were also constituted deputy sheriffs and constables. Consequently this organization was of great value in sup- pressing any attempt to foment disorder.
NAVAL ACTIVITIES
The Boston Navy Yard was soon a scene of humming activity. The sea is in all our blood, and our young men flocked for sea service. A great impetus was given to this by the example of the Naval Brigade, which had marched into the Boston Navy Yard in full strength upon the breaking off of diplomatic relations with Germany. It is enough, as showing the zeal of our people for our navy, to state that the United States Navy, at the time of the Armistice, had a personnel of 530,000 - far greater than that of the British Navy. Aside from the great general service rendered by Boston in this expansion, a special local act was the seizure of the six German steam- ships interned in the port of Boston. Three of these ("Kronprinzessin Cäcilie," "Amerika," "Cincinnati") were renamed "Mt. Vernon," "America," "Cov- ington," and rendered important service in the Cruiser and Transport Force by transporting American troops to France.
THE FIRST MAIN PROBLEM OF THE WORLD WAR
But these were only the beginnings of the World War activities of Boston. Military and naval affairs were soon put on a new basis by the Selective Service Act (May, 1917). This at once established nation-wide conscription as the basis for service in the forces of the United States. The benefits of this cannot
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be exaggerated, as, instead of being a last resort (conscription had not been adopted in Great Britain until January 1, 1916), with us conscription was a first call upon the manhood of the United States. Moreover, instead of a "draft" under military superintendencc, the execution of the act was left to the local authorities. This had a good effect in Boston, as elsewhere, and in our city the response was given without any holding back or disorder.
THE OTHER PROBLEM SOLVED
In the same month the War Bond Bill had been passed, which marked the inauguration of a financial policy for the United States which was unproce- dented and yet was carried on successfully, even triumphantly, throughout the war. This was the straightforward course of going directly to the people and allotting proportionate amounts of Liberty Bonds, to be taken by popular subscription, in each town and city. As can easily be seen, this imposed a great deal of work on the citizens of each community. But the citizens of Boston performed their share of this arduous task zealously and with complete success.
This common sense policy solved the financial problem, as the Selective Service Act had solved the problems of man power. But, even with these two main questions solved thus early in the war, the demands of the other necessary activities were insatiable and "war work" became a universal call for all classes of our citizens.
"WAR WORK" IN BOSTON
The war activities in Boston were manifold and these implied the unselfish devotion of both men and women. As in the Civil War, the physicians at once offered their services. In addition to the great numbers who joined the branches of the services, three special Base Hospital units (Nos. 5, 6, 7) went to France, where they maintained hospitals on a large scale. With these were personnels of nurses. This was only typical of the work of women in the war. Women volunteered as nurses by thousands, and for the kindred tasks with the Red Cross.
WOMEN'S WORK IN THE WORLD WAR
In most households there were workers for the Red Cross, which became one of the most beneficial forces in the situation. In June, 1917, a meeting had been held at the State House, Boston, and the Massachusetts Division of the Women's Council of National Defense was constituted, with representatives from the many women's organizations. This performed good service in the war by co-ordinating the efforts of the different groups of women. In the important work of the Food Administrator women were invaluable. Henry B. Endicott had been appointed Federal Administrator for Massachusetts and the practical assistance of the women, in preaching and practising economy, was of the greatest benefit. The same was also true of the difficult problem of the Fuel Administration, of which James J. Storrow was the efficient New England Administrator.
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THE RESULT OF OUR EFFORT IN THE WORLD WAR
Even from the foregoing necessarily limited summary the stress and strain of Boston can be visualized by the reader. Boston nobly bore her share of the tasks necessary to insure the reinforcement provided by the United States in the World War. As to the success of this effort, there is no need to add a word to the rueful statement, already quoted, of the arch-enemy Ludendorff, that our nation "became the decisive power in the war."
AFTER THE WORLD WAR
The return of the Massachusetts troops from the World War was signalized by a final parade of the Twenty-Sixth Division in Boston, April 25, 1919, under its war service commander, Major-General Clarence R. Edwards. This was a scene of enthusiasm that will not soon be forgotten.
After the former members of the Massachusetts National Guard had returned, a reorganization was necessary. The basis for this was soon provided by the National Defense Act of 1920, which inaugurated the policy of one United States Army, to consist of the Regular Army, the National Guard and the Organized Reserves. Of these last only a skeleton organization is main- tained in times of peace. As to the National Guard, the policy was adopted of at least one division in each corps area.
THE PRESENT SITUATION IN BOSTON
Under the eventual provisions of this act the Massachusetts National Guard, with its administrative headquarters in Boston, has become a complete division, designated the Twenty-Sixth Division, in honor of the Twenty-Sixth Division in the World War. There is also a regiment of coast artillery, a regi- ment of cavalry, a battalion of colored infantry and the First Corps of Cadets, newly organized as a battalion of anti-aircraft artillery. The Naval Brigade has not been re-established, as the Federal Government has taken over the whole Naval Reserve. The Boston Army Base is the headquarters of the First Corps Area, United States Army, and the Boston Navy Yard is the head- quarters of the First Naval District, United States Navy.
EDITORIAL NOTE
As in the Civil War and all our foreign wars, the men of Boston responded promptly and in great numbers when the call to arms was issued in 1917 by the authorities at Washington. The militia regiments, as Captain Frothingham notes, responded in a body. The percentage of students at all the local colleges, Harvard, Boston University, Boston College, Tufts, Northeastern, who enlisted in the various branches of the service was large. Boston also contributed distinguished officers of the army and the navy, eminent surgeons and honored chaplains, who played their part in the victory of the Allied forces. Some of its war corre- spondents won more than local fame. Soldiers in the ranks, as well as officers, received citations and medals for bravery. If readiness to face the dangers and discomforts of war be accepted as the test of good citizenship, then our city may be said to have passed through that fiery ordeal with honors.
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It is not our intention to select names from any of these lists for special distinction here. To do so fairly would be a difficult task. Some references, however, may be permitted which will supplement Captain Frothingham's very accurate and comprehensive paper.
A brief mention of the activities of the Red Cross chapter located in Boston will be found in Mrs. White's article on Social Welfare. A Boston man, Colonel James H. Perkins, was the American Red Cross Commissioner to France and Europe during most of the period of American participation in the war, resigning only to enter the army.
The Lafayette Escadrille, organized and led by a Boston aviator, Norman Prince. and including other Boston fliers, is mentioned by Mr. Adams in his article on Aviation. Mr. Adams also refers to the great value of the aeronautical school of the Institute of Technology in training American aviators during the war.
The work of the Twenty-Sixth Division in France is fully described in Frank S. Sibley's book on that subject. Mr. Sibley accompanied the division as a correspondent for the Boston Globe, the division being, of course, largely manned and officered by citizens of Boston. For further information about the Massachusetts units in action the reader may consult General John H. Sherburne's article in the recent Commonwealth History of Massachusetts, cdited by Professor A. B. Hart. General Sherburne's article is accompanied by a useful bibliography. The Commonwealth itself has also published an official report in two volumes, with maps, describing the part played by Massachusetts in the World War.
The response of our foremost university to the call of national duty is set forth in the four volumes of M. A. DeWolfe Howe's "Memoirs of the Harvard Dead" and in Frederick S. Mead's "Harvard's Military Record in the World War." Harvard, at least, cannot be accused of having failed to honor her soldier sons. The university authorities have already collected the funds and broken ground for a Memorial Chapel, dedicated to those that went forth to die for their country. Their names are recorded in the vestibule of the Widener Library, and two commemorative panels, painted by John S. Sargent, meet the eye of the visitor as he mounts the main stairway.
The Commonwealth also has under consideration various designs for a monument, honoring the men and women of Massachusetts who took part in the World War. A decision on the form of this monument and the appropriate location for it may be expected soon.
A poem of welcome which appeared in the official program of the reception to the Twenty- Sixth Division on its return to Boston seems to us worthy of reproduction in this volume. Though it was written at short notice, - over night, we are informed,- the swing of its long lines, throbbing with martial ardor, gives an almost visual effect of moving pageantry, floating banners and marching men; while the text, straightforward as that of some old ballad, captures the proud, joyous and yet tender spirit of what for all Boston was a historic occasion. It is a felicitous circumstance, and one not without significance, that this tribute to what was called the Yankee Division should have been offered by a Virginian lady. We reprint the stanzas here as a fitting climax to this brief record of Boston's part in the Great War.
NEW ENGLAND'S OWN By NANCY BYRD TURNER
There's a sound that swells to the listening sky, and breaks, and swells again - A sound to the April breezes blown of a host of marching men; And the people's hearts lift up to hear, and the city's gates swing wide To the tramp of twenty thousand strong, the beat of a tawny tide. They come, they come with the throbbing drum! Let the glad word be known! Fling the flags to the four free winds, and greet New England's Own!
These were the eager-hearted ones when first the bugles blew; The clean north winds had swept their souls before the war-flags flew. They set their faces like the flint of the old north eountry hills; They pledged their manhood without stint, and their young, intrepid wills. They did not stay for the perilous way. Forward! their cry was thrown; Stout hearts might well have faltered then - but not New England's Own!
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They caught the spurt of the first red stars that flamed the battle sign; They gave their bodies as iron bars to weld the battle line; Aisne-Marne, Chavignon, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne - east and west - The old strange names, familiar now as heart-beats in each breast, And keen with memories of those they left to sleep alone, Dust to dust in an alien land, yet still New England's Own.
They dreamed the dreams of peace and youth, but when the storm was rife They counted comfort less than truth and honor more than life. Each with his starry flag above, his weapon in his hand, Fought for earth's liberty, and love, and his own dear native land; Walked blindly in the smoking ways, that the light his eyes had known Might never perish from the shore that sent New England's Own.
There's a sound that swells in the April air till it shakes the market-place - The tread of a host of marching men who have looked death in the face; Who have staggered back from the brink of hell to find the world still sweet And the dust of God's own country gray once more upon their feet. They come, they come with the throbbing drum! Let the high flag be flown - The flag they shed their blood to keep and kept - New England's Own!
CHAPTER XII RECREATION
THE BOSTON PARK SYSTEM By CHARLES W. ELIOT, 2d
The Boston Common has often been cited as the first public park in America. Certain it is that the idea of a park system first was realized in Boston and that for many years Boston led the park movement in the United States with its Metropolitan Park System and its playgrounds.
Fifty years ago the parks of Boston included a Common, a public garden and a few small squares. During these last fifty years the people of Boston and of the metropolitan district have taken four novel ideas and shown the possibility of putting them into practice.
The first of these new ideas, which, while first tried in Boston, has since found general acceptance, was that of a park system,- not separate and distinct odd bits of open spaces but a predesigned system of related park units. The second new idea was the development of a playground on the Charlesbank as a specialized kind of park area to provide swings and apparatus for athletic games and organized play. The successful experiment conducted in 1888 played a large part in the growth of the playgrounds not only of Boston but all over the United States. In accordance with a third new idea, the cities and towns around Boston were organized in 1894 as a metropolitan park district to carry out a plan for a system of metropolitan parks. Finally, as the central feature of the city and the metropolitan park systems, the Charles River Basin was created, utilizing ideas which, though ancient and familiar in Holland, had never been used on such a scale or for such a purpose in this country. All these activities were only beginning when the Memorial History of Boston appeared fifty years ago.
THE PARK SYSTEM
The parks of Boston trace their descent from that distinguished ancestor, the Boston Common. The people of Boston have understood the value and importance of public open spaces since 1634, when the Common was established, and have permitted neither British redcoats nor political maneuvering to interfere with their continued enjoyment of them. Through that appreciation the citizens have come to expect that with each new increment in size of the city new parks would be provided, and so it happened that, as the city grew, sinall squares and open spaces were provided in each new housing development (notably in the South End), so that those who moved to the new areas would still believe that the Common or something very much like it was close at hand.
It was natural enough, therefore, that when the swamps and mill ponds of the Back Bay were reclaimed the Common should be extended westward,
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resulting in the creation of the Public Garden in 1859. Still later, in the 60's, Commonwealth avenue was laid out, carrying a central open space one hundred feet wide, with roadways on either side, westward to Massachusetts avenue. That was the extent of the development of the park system fifty years ago.
About this time New York was developing Central Park and Prospect Park, Brooklyn, was under construction. Bostonians were quick to realize the significance of what was going on and in 1869 a movement was set on foot, ' partly as a result of the land boom of that period and partly because of the continuing and genuine interest of Bostonians in public parks, to establish a Park Commission for Boston. The movement took the form of a petition in the Common Council, which was forwarded to the State Legislature in the following year. An act was passed by that body which required the approval of two thirds of the voters in the City of Boston. The issue at the election was complicated by the fact that the act provided for appointment by the Governor of some of the members of the proposed Commission and that an attempt was in progress to annex some of the adjoining suburbs to the City of Boston. In this mixed political atmosphere the act failed to receive the two thirds vote necessary for adoption, although it was approved by a substantial majority.
Four years later, in 1874, Mayor Cobb revived the proposal for a Park Commission and this project, meeting with substantial support, was favorably acted upon by the Legislature and accepted by the people of Boston by a vote taken on June 9, 1875. Three commissioners were appointed, T. Jefferson Coolidge, Charles H. Dalton and William Gray, Jr., and their report, issued the following year, is a landmark in the history of the park movement in the United States. They proposed, not a single park, but a series of parks, forming a system serving all the new suburban areas within the city limits.
The considerations guiding the Park Commissioners in making a selection of lands for park use are listed in their report as:
"First. Accessibility, for all classes of citizens by walking, driving, riding, or by means of horse or steam cars.
"Second. Economy, or the selection, so far as practicable, of such lands as are not at present income-producing property and would least disturb the natural growth of the city in its business and domestic life, and of those which would become relatively nearer the center of popu- lation in future years.
"Third. Adaptability, or the selection of lands possessing in the greatest degree the natural physical characteristics necessary for park purposes and requiring the least expenditure for subsequent develop- ment.
"Fourth. Sanitary advantages, or the selection of such lands as would probably become unhealthy, if neglected or built upon."
The report marshals the arguments for the proposed park system in terms of the financial effect - influence on taxes - and usefulness of the park areas.
EARLY CONDITION, UNIMPROVED
APPEARANCE IN 1920 TWO VIEW'S OF SAME SPOT ON THE RIVERWAY
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Park areas were recommended along the Charles river behind Beacon street, in the Back Bay Fens, on Parker Hill, in the South bay, at Savin Hill, at City Point (now Marine Park), in East Boston, adjoining the Chestnut Hill reservoir, about Jamaica Pond, and in West Roxbury where Franklin Park now is. Parkways were proposed connecting the Fens, Parker Hill, Jamaica Pond and West Roxbury, with an extension to Harrison squarc. These areas totaled 1,133 acres.
This report stirred a great deal of activity among the people of the city but nothing happened because of lack of money until a mass meeting was held the following year in Faneuil Hall. This meeting and the consequent public clamor resulted in the appropriation of $500,000 in 1877 for the purchase of one hundred acres in the Back Bay Park. The appropriation was justified not only as a park project but also for sanitary reasons, to clear up the serious drainage situation then existing in the Fens. Because of a limitation in the cost of land to ten cents per square foot and because of the drainage requirements, the new park took a tortuous shape which, while inexpensive to acquire, proved later to be very expensive for construction.
At this point in our story the designer of the park system makes his entrance. Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., who had been busy in New York developing Central Park and in Brooklyn with Prospect Park, had been requested to review the com- petitive drawings which had been submitted for the development of the new Back Bay Park. When he entered upon this work, he found that all of the competitors had failed to take into account the very serious problems caused by the flooding of Stony brook. He found also that the city engineer had very definite ideas as to the development of the park land. These ideas consisted, in general, of making the park into a huge reservoir with stone rip-rap sides to take the flood waters and hold them during the storms until low tide in the Charles River Basin would permit discharge. In this situation, Mr. Olmsted suggested the possibility of creating a park landscape based upon a low level salt marsh with surrounding park roads, and thus solved the problems of com- bining relief of the flood situation with the utilization of the area for park pur- poscs. His plans were accepted by the Park Commission and work was com- menced under a loan authorized in 1881 for construction of the Back Bay Park.
The year 1881 thus marked the real beginning of the park system, for in that year not only construction began but purchases werc authorized along Muddy river, for the Charlesbank, in Franklin Park and at Wood Island in East Boston. In that year also preparations were made for an agreement between the city and Harvard College concerning the Arnold Arboretum, which was signed by the Commissioners and President Eliot on December 30, 1882. The agreement included the gift of 167 acres owned by the college to the city and a lease of these lands to the college for arboretum purposes for one thousand years at one dollar per year, renewable for succeeding one thousand year periods.
The principal features of the park system were then envisaged by the landscape architect as:
"The Common, Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue .- Turf, trees, water, and other natural objects, unnaturally arranged
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but not in the inain unpleasingly, in consideration of the stately rows of buildings and other architectural and artificial objects with which they must stand associated and the necessary thoroughfares passing among them.
"Charles River Embankment .- Broad bay and river views with a rus-urban background seen from a stately promenade.
" Back Bay .- Scenery of a winding, brackish creek, within wooded banks; gaining interest from the meandering course of the water; nu- merous points and coves softened in their outlines by thickets and with much delicate variety in tone and color through varied, and, in land- scape art, novel, forms of perennial and herbaceous growths, the pic- turesque elements emphasized by a few necessary structures, strong but unobtrusive.
"Muddy River .- The natural sequence upon slightly higher ground than the last in following up a fresh-water course bordered by passages of rush meadow and varied slopes from the adjoining upland; trees in groups, diversified by thickets and open glades.
"Upper Valley of Muddy River .- A chain of picturesque fresh- water ponds, alternating with attractive natural groves and meads, the uppermost of these ponds being:
"Jamaica Pond .- A natural sheet of water, with quiet, graceful shores, rear banks of varied elevation and contour, for the most part shaded by a fine natural forest-growth, to be brought out overhangingly, darkening the water's edge and favoring great beauty in reflections and flickering half-lights. At conspicuous points numerous well-grown pines, happily massed and picturesquely disposed.
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