New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the world war, 1917-1918, Part 3

Author: Wall, John P. (John Patrick), 1867-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: New Brunswick, N.J. : S. M. Christie Press
Number of Pages: 246


USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > New Brunswick > New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the world war, 1917-1918 > Part 3


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PARADE GETS OFF


There was not a single delay in getting the parade off, so well were the plans of the parade committee, organized. Promptly at 4 o'clock, as the shrill blasts of Johnson & Johnson whistle were heard, the Second Regiment band struck up "Over There," and the parade was off.


Headed by a platoon of police, in charge of Chief O'Connell, the marchers made their way out of Handy street to Livingston avenue. At this point, fully three thousands people had gathered, but the excel- lent work of the police cleared a passageway for the marchers. Andrew Rappleyea, as Uncle Sam, carry- ing a silk flag, followed the police.


The City Fathers, refusing to ride, marched with the boys, and followed Uncle Sam. Commissioners


Fourty-two


IN THE WORLD WAR


John J. Morrison, Edward J. Houghton, Joseph J. Feaster, Charles A. Oliver, Sr., and Mayor Edward F. Farrington, marched abreast. The Mayor's execu- tive committee came next in line, and then the boys who were to do the real fighting.


Colonel William Martin, accompanied by his aides, escorted by the Mayor's committee, also walked. The big Second Regiment band and bugle corps did their best and were accorded a warm reception. And then came the home boys, which was a signal for an emotional display. Captain J. Bayard Kirkpatrick, First Lieutenant Richard Smith and Second Lieu- tenant Fred Hamer led these boys, who marched stoutly and with a steady tread.


As the boys from Company H came parading down the avenue a ripple of "Here comes Company H" could be heard, and then there was scuffling, for everyone wanted to get into the forerank. One searched the faces of the crowd of those masses lin- ing the street on either side while the boys passed through. They were subdued. Their faces were set and tense ofttimes. They were tired from waiting for the parade to start, for many began to assemble long before 3 o'clock. But it wasn't physical fatigue that constrained them. It was not the time for emotion, but the time for thought, and that thought was "there goes my boy, will he ever come back."


Then came the boys who were soon to make their departure from this city, and in their ranks were also some boys who were already in training, pre- paring to help lick the Kaiser. These boys were members of the new National Army. Many in their ranks were of foreign birth, but of American spirit. Several were colored.


Elmer Connolly and Dr. E. I. Cronk, members of the local Exemption Board, acted as an escort to the boys. The boys assembled at the court house, where they were given a short talk and then muster- ed into the parade.


Fully 150 paraded and they carried American flags.


There were many features and sidelights in the great crowd. There were Civil War veterans, few in number, but in martial spirit they were a mighty host. They wore the old G. A. R. uniforms, and medals they had won for deeds of valor.


Under the command of Lieutenant Gorslin, Co. E. of the State Militia paraded. The boys numbering fifty, marched erect and made an excellent showing.


The Spanish-American War Veterans, with their own fife and drum corp, marched thirty strong as did the Home Guards of Metuchen and New Bruns- wick.


SECOND DIVISION


The second division was composed of the various civic organizations of the city, including the Red Cross Society and the Exempt Firemen. In this


division there were several bands of music and a fife and drum corps.


The Red Cross Society members, attired as Red Cross nurses, and numbering nearly a hundred, marched four abreast.


The Exempt Firemen's Association were escorted by a line of ex-chiefs of the New Brunswick Fire Department. The ex-chiefs were attired in their parade regalia of former days, and were also ap- plauded enthusiastically. Several of the exempts wore their red shirts and caps, while others were attired in their uniforms of blue. The old volunteer veterans surely made a hit, and many who lined the curb recalled the good old volunteer days, when the monstrous firemen parades were held.


There were fully two thousand marchers in this division, including the Goodwill Council, Good Intent, Knights of Columbus, the various Hebrew societies, Sons of Veterans, steam fitters, Eagles, Moose, For- esters, and many others, all of whom were represent- ed by large delegations. The Boy Scouts were largely represented.


A flag of historic fame was carried by the New Brunswick Lodge of Elks, B. P. O. E., No. 324. It was a tattered flag presented to the local "Hello Bills" by Major Buttler, after the battle of Manila. No little comment was heard about the flag.


30,000 SEE PARADE


It was estimated that fully 30,000 people viewed the spectacle. On every street of the line of march, hundreds gathered to pay their tribute to the boys. As the parade passed St. Peter's Church the chimes played.


The biggest crowd to witness the demonstration was on George street, between Washington street and Livingston avenue. Between these points there was a solid mass of people on the sidewalks. Every window along the parade route was occupied and on several of the house roofs, along George street, men climbed to get a good view.


Although the demonstration was hurriedly ar- ranged, it is doubted if the city of New Brunswick will ever see such an intensive military and civic spectacle.


With the Second Regiment band playing "Auld Lang Syne" the boys of Company H, Second New Jersey Infantry boarded a special train at 8.30 o'clock Saturday morning, tired and happy, while hundreds of friends and relatives crowded the plat- form to bid them a last good-bye. Tired because of the heart-rending and nerve-racking duty of part- ing with those they love and hold most dear, and happy because every soldier boy, from the oldest veteran of the company to the youngest "rookie" was convinced that behind Company H stood, united as one, the 35,000 people of the city of New Brunswick.


Forty-three


NEW


BRUNSWICK


THE BANQUET


"May each and everyone of you be returned to us sound in mind and body," said Judge Peter F. Daly to New Brunswick's soldier boys, gathered in the Ballantine Gymnasium at Rutgers College on Fri- day afternoon, September 14, 1917, for the city's great farewell banquet, and that was the sentiment echoed by every man, woman and child in New Brunswick.


The banquet was a fitting farewell to the soldiers of the city. The big gymnasium, the scene of many and many a jovial banquet of Rutgers alumni, never looked down upon a merrier scene, a scene that was just a little bit over-joyous, perhaps, because of the ache in the heart of everyone there at the knowledge of what was waiting for the boys in khaki-an ache that had to be hidden.


The banquet scene was a memorable one. Long tables seating nearly fifty men each, ran lengthwise along the big gymnasium, covered with snowy cloths and laden with delectable viands of every description. Across the left end of the hall was a table reserved for the officers and other dignitaries.


The boys of Company H, New Brunswick's first sons to enter the Federal service, filled three long tables in the rear of the gymnasium. The selective service men, in civilian clothes, occupied three other tables in front. The members of the local Exemption Board also were present in a body.


RED CROSS LADIES SERVE


The ladies of the local Red Cross Chapter acted as waitresses, and they kept heaping the plates of the soldiers with good things. As the ladies moved swiftly and quietly about the big gymnasium their headdresses and white dresses lent a pleasing touch to the picture.


Never was such a banquet in New Brunswick before. Perhaps it was the knowledge of what that banquet meant that lent added savor to the food, but never did any body of men so enjoy a dinner since the city was founded. Praise for everything was heard on every side.


During the meal the musicians kept up an almost constant flow of music. Popular songs, national airs, stirring military tunes were kept up almost con- tinuously, and from time to time the soldiers joined in the choruses. Performers from the Opera House and other volunteers also added to the entertainment of the fighting men.


Not content with listening, the soldiers started several songs of their own in the infrequent inter- vals when they were not busy eating, and they were also liberal with yells for various persons connected with the celebration.


A handsome compliment was paid to Rutgers Col- lege, which had donated the use of the gymnasium, by the boys of Company H, when they sang the college song, "On the Banks of the Old Raritan."


Finally, when all had satisfied the inner man to the full, topping off an excellent meal with ice cream, home-made cake, coffee and cigarettes, Mayor Ed- ward F. Farrington called for order and briefly intro- duced the Rev. George H. Payson, one of the speakers of the evening.


Extolling the patriotism of the men who were about to go forth to defend their nation's flag, Dr. Payson expressed to them the pride that the city felt in them and its urgent desire that everyone of them might come back home before long.


"I have never seen the city in such gala attire as it was today for the parade of our soldiers," said Dr. Payson, "and yet I could not help but feel that beneath it all there was a feeling of solemnity and awe at the great sacrifice that you men are about to make."


But there is as much patriotism in the hearts of the mothers, sisters, wives and sweethearts as in those of the soldiers, he said. Every shot strikes twice, killing a soldier and at the same time break- ing the heart of a woman.


"But with our tears, our smiles, and our prayers," he continued, "we send you forth. Soon your ad- dress will be 'somewhere in France,' and there our hearts will be. If I were a little younger I would be glad to exchange with you myself.


"This war is a cruel war; the evidences of this are everywhere. But it is the holiest war that the world has ever seen. It is war not only to defend freedom and humanity, but a war of deliverance, to succor the oppressed, deliver all nations and to de- stroy the awful fiction of the divine right of kings."


A rising vote of thanks to the city of New Bruns- wick, to Rutgers College, and to the ladies of the Red Cross, was then called for by the Second Regi- ment officers, and it was given with a will. Yells for all were given by the soldier boys.


"We want to thank New Brunswick for the splen- did entertainment given us this afternoon and even- ing," said one of the officers. "And some of us are Rutgers men, and we are glad to see how Rutgers has come to the front and identified herself with the Nation's welfare. And most of all, we want to thank the splendid ladies of the Red Cross."


$200 FOR COMPANY H.


Judge Peter F. Daly, of the Court of Common Pleas, was then introduced by Mayor Farrington, and he announced that the sum of $200 had been presented to the members of Company H as the balance of the fund raised by the people of the city.


"With it goes the heart-throb of every man, woman and child in the city," said Judge Daly, as a silence that told more plainly than any words the way that the soldiers felt about it, settled over the big hall. "There was a lump in every throat, a jump in every heart today. For magnificent as are the world's movements, great as are the national issues


Forty-four


IN THE WORLD WAR


at stake, the affections of family and relationship are, after all, the ultimate things of life.


"And it was only these intimate relationships that we could think of today. 'These are our Brunswick boys,' was the thought in every heart, and that is the ultimate in life."


With an eloquence, and earnestness, that touched every heart in the gymnasium, Judge Daly went on to say that it was the intimacy of feeling for the soldiers that was the great reason for the demon- stration, and all shared in it from the Mayor to the humblest citizen.


Incidentally, Judge Daly paid a high tribute to Mavor Farrington for his "splendid integrity and self-sacrifice in public service."


Life would not be worth living, Judge Daly went on, if the principles of American democracy and all true democracies were not secured, and for this the boys of New Brunswick are offering their lives to their nation.


Our cause is just, the speaker declared, for the United States suffered humiliation and shame almost without end before war was declared. "But now," he thundered, "There are only two classes left, the loyal and the disloyal-and, God forgive them, there are a number of the latter left."


But the manly stride of the soldier boys and boys who soon will be soldiers, said to the intriguer, the anarchist and the pro-German, "There is no room in America for you." This statement was greeted by a wild outburst of applause and hand-clapping which forced the speaker to stop for several minutes.


"The cry of women and helpless babes still comes to you from the watery grave of the Lusitania," said the judge, "and this war cannot end as long as any human being responsible for these things still claims a divine right of partnership with God. You go to make the world safe for American democracy and for every other true democracy."


The blood of every race, he continued, is banded together in New Brunswick's soldier representatives, joined in a militant brotherhood of Americans.


As the speaker concluded his address the big audi- ence burst into round after round of applause, which ended only when the band struck up "America" and all joined in the national hymn. To the stirring strains of "The Star Spangled Banner" the meeting then broke up, and a page was written into the history of New Brunswick that will stand out always in bright letters.


There was more than one wet eye among those who had gathered to honor the soldier lads, but smiles were bravely substituted as all rose to honor the khaki-clad youngsters.


It was a fitting climax to an occasion that probably never before, even in the trying days of the Civil War, has been seen in New Brunswick. The com- mittee in charge of the big farewell celebration was one of the most active ever appointed to arrange for a big demonstration in this city.


The members of the Mayor's committee were:


Chairman-Mayor Edward F. Farrington.


Treasurer-Commissioner John J. Morrison.


Secretary-Frank M. Deiner.


Executive committee-Mayor Farrington, Commis- sioner Morrison, Jesse Strauss, F. M. Yorston, J. Fred Orpen, John Payton, John P. Wall, Milton Strauss, Frank M. Deiner, Charles A. McCormick and Elmer Connolly.


Pageant-J. Fred Orpen, R. C. Nicholas, Edward Burt, Charles Spratford, I. Ross, John Conger, Ches- ter Holman, Raymond White, Samuel Shannon, James Tomney, Charles A. McCormick, William Hig- ley, Ralph Gorsline, Philip Bruskin, John Bartholo- mew, Fred Gowen, Robert Hyde, William Applegate, Morris Bauer, Edward Johnson, William Watson and John Watson.


Music-John Payton Joseph Galipo, Charles Mor- ris, Frank Knoll, B. M. Bohn, William Cortelyou and John Donnegan.


Finance-Commissioner John J. Morrison, Jesse Strauss, Henry Landsberg, C. A. Groves, Harry Solo- mon, Harvey Hullfish, James Kidney, George Cath- ers, Elmer Boyd, Ralph Holman, Ernest Webb, Wil- liam Applegate, William F. McGovern, Jacob Hoag- land and Edward Gleason.


Refreshment-Charles A. McCormick, Andrew Kirkpatrick, John Kirkpatrick, John Paulus, Joseph Snyder, Harry Silverstein, E. V. McCormick, Chester W. Wood, Harvey Hulfish, W. F. Thomas and Ed- ward Ballantyne.


Publicity-Frank M. Deiner, Harold E. O'Neill, City Clerk Mclaughlin, District Court Clerk Ray- mond Stafford and George C. Ingling.


Entertainment-Milton Strauss, Jake Besas, Joseph Shagrin, Edward McCormick, Nelson Ham- mell, Charles Whalen and John Clark.


Forty-five


NEW JERSEY DAY


REGISTRATION DAY TUESDAY, JUNE 5TH


June 5, 1917-What a wealth of color in that phrase!


JUNE 5, 1917-A mere day-a day among 365 in the year-and yet a day which in history will share honors with America's greatest of days, July 4, 1776.


FOR ON JUNE 5, 1917, men from twenty-one to thirty-one years of age, representing the flower of the nation, will for the second time in his- tory assert their inherited independence.


The President of the United States has prescribed that all male residents in the United States from the ages of twenty-one up to thirty-one years of age shall register at their customary voting places on June 5.


What an honor it is for those whose years qualify them to this consecrated duty-what a thrill there is in the mute voice of 10,000,000 men -- "Here I am to render to my country any service for which I may be suited."


10,000.000 noble men symbolizing the very soul of Old Glory-men who will shape the destiny of our entire beloved country.


What an honor it is to register one's name on memorable June 5, 1917- what a noble duty will be performed by 10,000,000 men to 100,000,000 men, women and children.


YOU


Will you head the grand procession to the registration polls "By the Dawn's Early Light" on JUNE 5, 1917?


IN THE WORLD WAR


PROCLAMATION ON REGISTRATION


No day in the history of our country is so important to the great conflict on the other side of the water as tomorrow, when all men BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 45 WILL REGISTER for the greatest army in the history of the world. These earnest, loyal, true Americans will form the last of the great units to leave from the soil of the United States. This vast army will join in the triumphant march through the streets of Berlin, they will stop the flow of innocent blood, forever still the cravings of the ambitious Hohenzollern leaders, and, lastly, make the world safe for democ- racy.


LET ALL MEN COME TO THE FRONT; it is no time for the slackers, or the "would if I could" crowd. We must keep before us one great thought and that is to defeat Germany. Don't allow anybody to influence you to shun your duty-no true American will try to-but keep ever uppermost in your mind the fact that we will soon emerge victorious from the great conflict and that you will want to have it said that you did your duty.


We know of no case in New Brunswick where anybody of the draft age has not come forward and offered his services to his country. New Bruns- wick is proud of her splendid record in going over the top in the Liberty Loan and other war campaigns, and in contributing many of her fine young men, many of whom are now fighting on the firing line in France.


As Mayor of this great commonwealth, I do hereby request that the American flag be displayed on all public and private buildings of New Brunswick tomorrow. I further request that the employers give their em- ployes ample time in which to register and to do everything within their power to see that there is no evasion of the law.


Alt men between the ages of 18 and 45 are to register at the various polling precincts designated by Local Board No. 1, tomorrow, between the hours of 7 a. m. and 9 p. m.


By way of instruction and to clear up the uncertainty which seems to exist among some of the older men involved in the extension of the draft ages to include men between 18 and 45:


"A man is considered to be included within the new age limits unless on or before registration, September 12, he has reached his forty-sixth birth- day. If his age is 45 years and 364 days on September 12, he must register.


"The minimum age limit of 18 years, on the other hand, is intended to include any young man who, on or before September 12, shall have reached his eighteenth birthday.


"For these reasons it is important that all men who have the slightest doubt as to whether they are included within the new draft limits, ascertain as soon as possible before Registration Day the date of their last birthday. The burden is on the man who fails to register to show that he does not come within the new age limits.


"The man who stands back now is lost; lost to the ranks of citizenship; lost to the mother who bore him; lost to the father who gave him a name; lost to the flag that protects him; lost to the Nation that calls him; lost to the world that needs him. His day of birth is henceforth a day of dishonor. He can never name it without a lie. His time has come, and he has denied it. He is a man without a country, an outcast!


EDWARD F. FARRINGTON, Mayor. New Brunswick, N. J., September 11, 1918.


Forty-seren


NEW BRUNSWICK


Registration Days


The Man Power of the Nation Signs Up to Finish the War


On the 5th of June, 1917, occurred one of the most memorable events in the history of democratic institutions.


On that day 10,000,000 self-governed young Americans marched quietly to the polls and, in a voice that was heard around the world, registered their invincible determination to preserve for them- selves and their posterity the blessings of the liberty with which they have been so richly endowed.


The young men of New Brunswick made Regis- tration Day a real voluntary offering of their ser- vices to the nation in its hour of danger. All over the city they hurried to the registration places early to enroll their names for military service.


The city awoke thoroughly on that morning to the fact that the United States was at war. When at seven o'clock a great salvo of factory whistles, mingled with the pealing of church bells, announced the opening of the Registration Day that was to secure for the nation an army to put in the field, the youths who were to serve and the relatives who were to keep the home fires burning realized keenly that the war had been brought home to America.


And the young men made it plain by the way they hurried out that they were no slackers, but were ready to do their share to make the world safe for democracy by service overseas.


And the people of the city did what they could to honor the men who were enrolling. Flags were flying everywhere. Probably at no time since the nation entered the war was there such a display of the national colors, together with those of the Allies.


The saloons were all closed, as were many of the factories, but most of the stores were open.


But it was not altogether a gala affair. Beneath it all was a realization of the solemnity of the occa .- sion of the fact that before long the casualty lists might contain the names of those who were going on the registry lists. But there was a feeling of solemn pride, of joy in sacrifice, beneath it all.


The quietness of the registration, in fact, was its distinguishing feature. The crowds were orderly, waiting their turn in line, and causing the registra- tion officials as little trouble as possible. All seemed to be imbued with the feeling that the nation was calling on them for service and that it was the least they could do to help the registry along.


Forty-eight


Few precautions were taken by the local authori- ties. At the third poll of the Fifth Ward, in the very heart of the Hungarian section of the city, a mili- tiaman was stationed, but there was no occasion for his services. Throughout the city, the registra- tion proceeded as quietly as an election. It was purely a civil affair, carried out with the full consent of the people of the city.


The foreign population, largely through the efforts of manufacturers, seemed to have been impressed even more deeply with the necessity of registering than were the Americans themselves. They all turned out early, and at the registration places where the foreign population was large, the clerks were rushed all day.


In the purely American districts, however, there were often lulls in the registration.


On the whole, New Brunswick took the registra- tion merely as a chance to show its patriotism. There was little shirking and no disorder.


No political election in this city or county ever passed off in smoother manner than on that day, a day which marks an epoch in the history of the nation. The manner in which the youth of New Brunswick and in fact, everywhere in the country, realized its responsibility was a tribute to the young patriots, while the sober sense of its citizenry oblit- erated any disloyalty or anything that smacked of treason.


The work of registration was carried out by volun- teers. There was not the least bit of trouble throughout the registration. Everything was har- monious although the enrollment meant the rounding up of men belonging to many nations.


Untried registration machinery, extemporized for the occasion and operating under the provision of a law containing many things new and strange to even experienced registrars, was handled in a way that did great credit to all who participated.


Men of large affairs deserted factories, banks, industrial plants and offices to aid in the registra- tion. Everyone seemed to want to do his bit.


The question of exemption was answered by nearly every alien in the city and nearly 75 per cent claimed exemption, on the grounds of dependent relatives.


Exemption was dmeanded by a very small percen-


RUTGERS COLLEGE RES ERVE OFFICERS ON A HIKE. THE COLLEGE WAS AN ARMY TRAINING CAMP DURING THE WAR


RUTGERS "PREP" BOYS. THEY ALSO WERE READY


IN THE WORLD WAR


tage of native-born Americans. The employes of the Public Serivce all asked for exemption because of occupational duties. The employes of the Wright- Martin Aircraft Corporation and munition plants claimed exemption. All the firemen who registered also claimed exemption.




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