USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > District No. 15 of Allegheny County Pennsylvania in the Great War : a history of activities at home and abroad from the declaration of war in 1917 to the home-comings in 1919 > Part 13
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The following is a list of the "honor men," the men whom the officials and employees of Tarentum Paper Mills will long hold in grateful memory:
John Robinson
Antonio Errico
Glenn Robinson
Adolph Hue
Homer Baker
Walter McKrell
Joseph Bednar
Frank Fratto
Rudolph Seft
Herbert Reith
Frank Schuyler
John Collins
Michael Frolo
Joseph Venny
AMERICAN GLUE COMPANY
The American Glue Company's plant at Springdale, Pa., is the only factory of its kind within the 15th District and one of the very few within the United States. They were assigned to class "B" on the preferred list; Class "A" and class "AA" rating being given only to those plants which did 100 per cent direct war work. The American Glue Company's products were also used in an indirect manner. The glue entered largely into the manufacture of abrasive papers such as emery paper and sand paper, also into the manufacture of emery wheels. Large quantities. of glue were shipped direct to aeroplane manufacturers and used in the manufacture of the four ply boards for the planes. Another important product of this company was what is commonly known as tankage, which was shipped to fertilizer manufacturing companies. This material is very valuable for its nitrogen content. As adequate food production by the agricultural interests was one of the vital necessities during the period of the war, the manufacture of concentrated fertilizers was a foremost concern of the Government. The plant was operated to its full capacity during the entire period of the war and every effort was made to stimulate and maintain maximum production.
War Work Campaigns such as Liberty Loan and Red Cross Drives were very difficult propo- sitions for this Company, as practically all the employees are laborers and a large percentage are foreigners. Be it said to their credit, however, that several 100 per cent certificates adorn the walls of their office.
PENNSYLVANIA SALT MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Chemical Warfare was the great distinguishing feature of the World War.
The Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, with its branches in Philadelphia, Pa., Natrona, Pa., and Wyandotte, Mich., stood in the front ranks in preparedness for this great conflict,-as they were prior to the declaration of war among the largest manufacturers of Heavy Chemicals.
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INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES
A noted war performance of the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company was the build- ing of the largest independent intermediate plant in the country, the output of which was used for the manufacture of Mustard Gas.
Enormous tonnages of Liquefied Chlorine and Hypochlorite of Lime were in addition furnished for the manufacture of other poison gases-in particular Phosgene, and the Tear Gas, Chloropicrin-or used in maintaining health at the front. The activities of the Natrona Plant were called on to their limits.
Thousands of tons of Aluminum Oxide were demanded by Abrasive Companies, making the high-grade abrasives used in grinding to the finest graduation the shells and guns.
Tens of thousands of tons of acid went to Explosive Plants making the powerful propellants and high explosives for the Navy and the Army over-seas. At night the watch hand that glowed and marked the zero hour, the gunsight, and compass bore the radium wrung from its ores by Natrona acid.
Not only were its products almost exclusively used in the war, but its men, not awaiting the call, rushed freely to the Country's Cause, and gave a good account of themselves.
For those who crossed, the ones at home responded to the last man in the various Loans and other Drives.
A complete record of the money given by their employees for Loans and other Drives was not kept, but the Natrona Plant was always in the front rank.
The first Liberty Loan was not handled direct at the Natrona plant, but notices were sent to all employees to purchase Bonds direct from their Banks.
The Second Liberty Loan was handled at the plant, and while many of the employees pur- chased direct from the bank,-the total sale in plant direct was approximately $45,000.
The Third Liberty Loan was handled also at the plant, and totaled about $60,000; while the Fourth Liberty Loan ran over $65,000.
The Victory Loan was not handled at the plant. Notices were sent to all employees to pur- chase direct from their banks, and no record of total is available.
The money received from Red Cross and other War Funds was turned over to the members of the various Committees. No separate records were kept, but the totals helped materially to swell the grand totals from the District.
THE COAL INDUSTRY
During the war period there were in operation five large railroad mines within the lines of the District. Scattered about, here and there among the hills, were a number of local or custom banks whose production was much in demand for domestic use and for light manufacturing, for the reason that the larger plants were required to ship almost the whole of their production to other points, except in so far as this was used among certain of the larger industries in the District. The total production during those strenuous days ran into large figures.
The Upper Freeport measures, which are those mined, furnish a very fine quality of steam coal, a huge tonnage of which was used by the railroads and shipped elsewhere for railroad use. More than that, this coal is one of the finest by-product coals in the country, and while there is no record of the quantity used for this purpose, doubtless much found its way into by-product plants that were engaged in the manufacture of war materials. The fact that all railroad coal was subject to frequent and arbitrary routing and consigning by order of the Federal Coal Ad-
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INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES
ministration, makes it very difficult to trace the various uses to which the product of this District was devoted.
From reports furnished by the several mines we submit the following estimates of produc- tion upon an average monthly tonnage basis for the entire period of the war:
Allegheny Coal and Coke Co.
8,000 tons
Creighton Coal Co.
12,000 to 15,000
McFetridge Coal Co.
10,000 to 12,000
Cornell Coal Co.
10,000 to 12,000 66
Allegheny Coal Co. (Harwick Mine, now Equitable Coke Co.) . 15,000 to 18,000
Thus it will be seen that the total tonnage approximated 65,000 tons as a conservative estimate during a large part of this time. Assuming twenty-six working days to the month and cars of 50 tons capacity, this means a fifty car train daily. The Allegheny Steel Company, operat- ing the Allegheny Coal and Coke Company, required the most of the product of its subsidiary. This went directly into steel production that was essential war material for offensive and defensive uses. The Creighton Coal Company operated by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company sold its tonnage largely to the United States Railroad Administration. A part went into the Glass Company's own works and thus indirectly assisted in the manufacture of an article which, while it may not have had any large use in warfare, was yet required for various instruments and equipment that had a place in the general activity attendant upon and more or less closely connected with the military operations of the country. The Harwick Mine was operated during the greater part of the war by the Duquesne Light Company and its production was largely used in that company's power plant on Brunot's Island below Pittsburgh to generate steam wherewith were driven great dynamos whose current was absolutely essential to the maintenance of com- mercial and productive activity in one of the most wonderful workshops for things military to be found anywhere in the world.
Thus it will be seen that the coal mining industries of the District were important factors in furnishing the steam that turned the wheels of Mars, not only through the plants in the Pittsburgh District, but in other places. The product of the Cornell and McFetridge Companies was used not only for manufacturing purposes but also for locomotive coal, and the railroads that carried the immense tonnage that originated in Western Pennsylvania played a larger part than can be estimated in the winning of the conflict.
The fact that coal was so much in demand throughout the country and that the supplies of the District were so largely drawn upon for shipment outside its lines will indicate in some measure the importance of the many custom mines which ran day and night to furnish domestic fuel with- out which the manpower of the District would have been unable to function.
Not only in the matter of their product but also in their financial and moral support to the business of war-making the Coal Companies of the District were to the fore. It has not been possible to secure the complete figures for these concerns, but the following will indicate in a. general way the loyal support from these sources:
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INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES
Creighton Coal Works.
Amount raised for Third Liberty Loan . $25,150.00
Fourth Liberty Loan 32,300.00
Fifth Victory Loan 15,000.00
Amounts raised for Red Cross and other War Causes:
Red Cross
I,II6.00
United War Work 1,087.5I
Armenian Relief
Jewish War Relief 268.50
75.71
500 War Savings Stamps sold
Men in service (none killed) I2
Harwick Mine of Equitable Coke Co. (formerly Allegheny Coal Co.)
Third Liberty Loan . $25,000.00
Fourth Liberty Loan 17,000.00
Fifth Liberty Loan
7,500.00
This Company had also a number of men in service, but accurate figures are not obtainable. McFetridge Brothers Coal Company.
Third Liberty Loan:
(No. of subscribers, 131) Amount subscribed
$7,750.00-100%
Fourth Liberty Loan:
Amount subscribed-Employees
$19,650.00
Company
10,000.00-100%
Total
$29,650.00
Victory Liberty Loan:
(No. of subscribers, 160)
Amount subscribed-Employees
$16,700.00
Company
5,500.00
Total
$22,200.00-100%
Second Red Cross Fund May, 1918:
Company
$500.00
Employees
835.50
Company Officials
300.00
Total
$1,635.50
Membership Drive-American Red Cross, December 1918-100% . $121.00
United War Work Campaign, November 1918
$1,007.15
Armenian and Syrian Relief Fund . .
I17.00
The large plant of the Consumers' Mining Company at Harmarville was not put into con- struction until the last days of the war. Many men were employed in construction work but no organized war work was undertaken and while the men there in the construction camps con- tributed their share to the various campaigns for funds for war purposes, no accurate figures concerning these are at hand.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP HOMECOMING CELEBRATION
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-
2
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INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES
It will thus appear that the representatives of this great industry can furnish records of usefulness and loyalty that are in every way up to the standard of those of the District in general, and that each had its part in swelling the grand total, which is a matter of pride to all who during the busy and trying time claimed a share in the activities or a part in the life of the District.
THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD
The Conemaugh Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad operating from Pittsburg by way of the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas valleys to Blairsville Intersection forms the chief line of com- munication from District No. 15 to the outside world. It is over this railroad that raw materials for the factories are brought in and finished products of the factories are sent out. It forms the only means of transportation for coal shipped from all but one of the numerous mines and its passenger service has become a part of the lives of many of the residents of the district. In addition to furnishing transportation for the contiguous territory the Conemaugh Division forms a detour connecting link between the Pennsylvania Lines West at the Federal Street Station, Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvania Main Line to the East at Blairsville Intersection.
Large shipments of live stock, war materials and other through freight are routed over this branch in order to avoid the congestion in the Pittsburg yards. This has made the Conemaugh Division one of the heaviest freight carriers in the Pennsylvania System.
The boys who went into the service from this district went out for the most part over the Pennsylvania road. Special trains were made of Pennsylvania equipment and these same cars were used to deliver the boys to the cantonment wherever that happened to be. The courtesies of the employees of this company and the numberless things that were done to make the tedious rides as pleasant as possible under the adverse conditions will long be remembered by the men of the service.
The following report of war contributions is for the entire division and includes many contribu- tions in other districts, but as it is impossible to even estimate what part of the men resided in District No. 15 the report as it was furnished is submitted herewith.
Liberty Bond Subscriptions:
First
$103,800.00
Second
203,750.00
Third
260,050.00
Fourth
547,250.00
Fifth
338,200.00
Total
$1,453,050.00
Red Cross Subscriptions :
1918
$2,546.00
1919 .
2,174.75
Total
$4,720.75
P. R. R. Tobacco Fund
$519.20
No. of men in Military Service
703
No. of men in Military Service Killed 23
CHAPTER VII
HOMECOMING CELEBRATIONS
HARRISON TOWNSHIP
Harrison Township gave her soldiers and sailors a most royal homecoming welcome. The celebration which was heartily entered into by all persons, organizations, and interests of the community continued for three days, Saturday August 29, Sunday August 30, and Monday September I.
The Harrison Township Commissioners headed the committees in charge of the arrangements. The entire cost ran into thousands of dollars, which was all raised by popular contributions en- thusiastically given in advance. The Township officially gave each soldier, sailor and marine a beautiful bronze medal specially designed for the occasion and bearing each soldier's name and war title and rank.
The town was most beautifully decorated. A large reviewing and dancing platform was erected and every detail for the success of the affair carried out to the most minute detail. Almost every house and store in Natrona was adorned with flags and bunting in profusion and miles upon miles of red, white and blue electric lights shone throughout the town by night. It was adjudged the most elaborate celebration ever held in Harrison Township.
The celebration opened Saturday afternoon, August 30, with a parade led by the soldiers and sailors. There were five bands and nearly two thousand paraders in all, including the Natrona- Brackenridge Red Cross Branch and every civic and fraternal organization in town.
World War veterans in line numbered 261, every one from Harrison Township. Following the parade there was speechmaking on the big outdoor reviewing stand in School Square followed by a banquet for the heroes in Natrona High School Building and the Natrona Methodist Church. A special refreshment committee aided by the Red Cross served the big banquet. The Red Cross also had several booths located in different parts of the town at which refreshments were provided free of charge to all veterans, not only of the World War but of all previous wars as well. Captain "Bob" Cain of the "Fighting 28th" was the principal speaker. Both Saturday and Monday evenings the veterans were the guests of honor at open-air balls held on the reviewing platform. On Sunday, August 30, the celebration feature consisted of special services in all the churches in honor of the returned veterans. On Monday, which was also Labor Day and a legal holiday, the chief feature was a big field meet in Brackenridge Grove. Veterans were the contestants in athletics, and many beautiful and valuable prizes were awarded. In the evening there was a masquerade parade.
A home town carnival that extended over several streets was a feature both Saturday and Monday with all manner of attractions. The crowd around the dancing pavilion Monday evening was estimated at seven thousand. The entire center of the town of Natrona was completely blocked to vehicle traffic throughout the evening by the surging mass of humanity that filled the streets.
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HOMECOMING CELEBRATIONS
BRACKENRIDGE
Probably the most elaborate event in the history of the borough of Brackenridge was the occasion of the Home Coming Celebration for veterans of the World War which opened on the evening of Saturday, August 30, 1919, and closed on the evening of September I.
Following the lead set by various boroughs throughout the state, Burgess L. F. Senn issued a call for a public meeting in the Pioneer Hose house on the evening of July 18 to consider plans for an official celebration.
The meeting was well attended by Brackenridge citizens and it was definitely determined to raise by public subscription and a tag day $2,000 to cover expenses. The following officers were elected: Samuel Pearson, general chairman; Burgess L. F. Senn, vice chairman; George H. Dickey, secretary, and Mrs. F. L. Stuart, treasurer.
Those interested in the celebration decided that it should be held on September 6, but later the Allegheny and West Penn Steel Companies offered to close down their plants for Labor Day, provided the celebrations of Brackenridge borough and Harrison Township were held on that date. The plan was agreeable to those in charge of the Brackenridge celebration and the Harri- son Township committee assented several days later.
The activities centered at the corner of Brackenridge Avenue and Morgan Street, where a huge arch spanning Morgan Street was draped with flags of America and its allies, and colored electric lights. On the open space at this corner a canteen was operated by the women of the Red Cross, at which soft drinks, candies, cigarettes, etc., were served free of charge to every ex- service man. A dancing platform was located near by where many a pleasant hour was spent.
The Publicity Committee composed of Ray R. Stuart, Cyril Kuhn and George P. Schmitt, prepared an elaborate 24-page program which was widely distributed.
The celebration was auspiciously opened on Saturday evening with a chicken dinner to all ex-service men which was served in the Pioneer Hose house by the Brackenridge Mothers of Democracy. In the evening a water battle was staged and foot races and boxing contributed to the entertainment.
On Sunday evening an open-air community Memorial Service was held near the arch on Morgan Street. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. A. K. Travis, Pastor of the Brackenridge M. E. Church. The music was furnished by a large community choir.
Monday was featured by a street parade in which ex-service men, Mothers of Democracy, members of the Red Cross, the Pioneer Hose Company, fraternal organizations and borough officials participated. An official welcome was extended at 1: 30 in the afternoon by Burgess L. F. Senn. Several county officials were present and delivered interesting and patriotic ad- dresses. The afternoon and evening were given over to dancing and novelty races. Many attractive prizes had been presented by merchants in the community and were the objects of spirited contest.
The expenses of the celebration were entirely paid from the funds so generously contributed by the citizens. A small balance that remained was placed in the treasury of the Brackenridge Welfare Society.
TARENTUM
An official welcome home to the men who served in the World War from District No. 15 Allegheny County was held in Tarentum, July 4, 5, and 6, 1919. Thousands of persons partici- pated in the celebration, which was in the form of a community carnival. Tarentum streets in
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HOMECOMING CELEBRATIONS
the area bounded by Wood, First Avenue, Corbet, Third and Fifth Avenues were decorated for the occasion. All traffic upon the thoroughfares was stopped for three days. The streets were ablaze with colored electric lights at night.
The celebration was arranged by a committee composed of citizens representing manufactur- ing plants, stores, offices, churches, lodges, clubs and societies. R. F. Pitcairn was the general chairman in charge of all the events.
The program began on the morning of July 4, when a "victory salute" was sounded by church bells, factory whistles, cannons and fire sirens.
Several hundred members of Allegheny Valley Italian societies formed a parade over the principal streets of Tarentum and Brackenridge early in the day. The formal welcome home exercises took place near the Grandview School in East Ninth Avenue. Shortly before noon a great crowd gathered in front of a band stand on the old commons, where the program was to be given. In the assemblage was to be found mothers and fathers who had sons in the World War, and veterans of the Civil and Spanish-American War. A chorus under the direction of Dr. Frank Wilson gave a program of patriotic songs during the exercises. A. D. Endsley, superintend- ent of schools, acted as chairman at the meeting. Speakers on the program included Burgess J. K. F. Weaver, Franklin E. Sturgeon, Lieut. John Leroy Latimer, Rev. A. F. Walker, and S. M. Hazlett, Esq. The addresses were cordial welcomes to the men of the service, who occupied chairs immediately in front of the platform. Under a warm and smiling July sun, the veterans sat for more than an hour through the exercises in which they were told by the speakers that their community was proud of them and their achievements. Mr. Walker in his address paid tribute to the men of this district who made the supreme sacrifice.
When the program was completed, the boys adjourned to First Avenue and Lock Street, where a "canteen" was established by members of the Tarentum Branch of the American Red Cross. This "canteen" was one of the notable features of the celebration. Here was to be found an endless array of delicacies, designed to attract the soldier boys. Ice cream, cake, candies, fruits, cigarettes, cigars, watermelon, and scores of other "goodies" were on the shelves of the stand. Mrs. C. H. Cooke, Vice President of the Tarentum Branch of the American Red Cross, along with a committee of workers was in charge of the "canteen". The women served faithfully at the "canteen" during the entire length of the celebration. It was conceded by the committee in charge of the three-day program that this feature was one of the things most enjoyed by the soldier boys.
Following a liberal repast at the "canteen," the afternoon of the Fourth was devoted to a baseball game at Peterson Park, where the War Veterans were the guests of the Allegheny Steel Company. Hundreds of men, who a few months before were yelling like mad at "Fritz," trans- formed their cry into "Put 'er over the plate" and "Souse the umpire," and the like.
At five o'clock a great community picnic, under the auspices of the Tarentum Mothers of Democracy, was held in First Avenue. Hundreds of persons brought lunches and enjoyed an evening meal under the shade trees along First Avenue. For an hour or more the community was truly one vast family.
The most spectacular event of the festivities was a display of fireworks that brought to a close the first day of the celebration. It was estimated that more than eight thousand persons viewed the exhibition of pyrotechnics.
A program of athletic and aquatic events on the First Avenue river front was carried out on
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BUREAU
DECORATIONS TARENTUM HOMECOMING CELEBRATION
SERVICE FLAG
RED CROSS BOOTH
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the second day of the festival. Races for boys and girls and ex-service men were planned and prizes given the winners. Many of the prizes were donated by merchants of Tarentum. Despite the intense heat of the afternoon, a large crowd witnessed the sports. The evening was featured by a canoe and lantern parade, which was a unique portion of the program. Many boats were decorated with lanterns and for two hours they flitted like will o' the wisps over the water of the Allegheny River.
A community dance platform, erected in Second Avenue, where an orchestra was constantly on duty, provided great amusement for hundreds of people. The platform was erected on the surface of the street and while it was large, it was by no means able to accommodate the great throng that crowded it every evening of the celebration.
More than two thousand persons attended the open-air memorial service on the First Avenue river front on Sunday evening, which was the final day of the celebration. The services were dedicated to the honor of Tarentum men who gave their lives in the World struggle. Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish clergymen participated. Each of the ministers had a part in the program. It was a solemn tribute to the memory of the men who offered their lives. The memorial address was delivered by Rev. W. J. Dickey of the First United Presbyterian Church.
Although expenses in connection with the celebration were $6,047.74, every cent was cheer- fully contributed by the people and industries of the community.
SPRINGDALE
The borough of Springdale extended an official welcome to its Sons, veterans of the World War on September 27. The principal event of the day was the dedication of a bronze tablet for four boys who lost their lives in the service. These four boys were Barton Elliott, Walter Mc- Cutcheon, August J. Scholtz and Edward Whiteside. Colonel Joe Thompson of the Iroth Infantry was the principal speaker at the dedication exercises, and the Honorable George E. Alter presided.
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