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 14
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The official welcome was extended by the Burgess, Mr. C. G. Porter. These exercises were preceded by a parade over the principal streets of the borough. The procession was made up of the Springdale Band, World War Soldiers, Mothers of Democracy, Ladies of the G. A. R. and G. A. R. Veterans, Boy Scouts, children of the public and parochial schools, Slavish orders, Hungarian orders, Glocke Association and borough officials. The parade disbanded at the Springdale baseball park, where a speakers' stand had been erected for the unveiling exercises.
The Memorial service flag was also dedicated. Following these exercises the soldiers were escorted to the Springdale School Building, where an elaborate dinner was served to the veterans of all wars by the women of the borough.
The afternoon attractions were a baseball game, foot races and other athletic events. On Saturday evening a minstrel and musical program was given in the auditorium of the Springdale school. Dancing was enjoyed at the Glocke, Slavish and Hungarian Halls.
CHAPTER VIII
ADDENDA
CONSERVATION
To very many of our citizens war could scarcely be called a reality, for unless some member of the family or some close relative was in the service life went on much the same. It was only where we were called upon to make a sacrifice that we realized or were made conscious of the fact that we were part of the great world struggle.
During the time we were engaged in hostilities the word "conservation" became a much used term in our vocabulary, for we were called upon to conserve almost all the necessities of life such as food, clothing, fuel, medicines, et cetera. The reason for this conservation was not entirely that our own boys might be fed but that we might supply these necessities to our Allies where in many instances almost the entire population was organized and fighting. Also many people who had heretofore been engaged in producing the things that were necessary to life were now diverted to some other line of employment. The western hemisphere was not only engaged in fighting but was called upon to feed a very large portion of the population of Europe. To do this two things were necessary-to produce more and to save more.
One of the first necessities in which a shortage was felt was sugar. Scarcely had the American people entered the war when sugar began to advance in price, the first indication that the demand was greater than the supply. Many people in order to protect themselves from the apparent shortage and the attending high prices began at once to buy sugar and store it away for future use. Soon sugar could not be had at any price. Much the same condition existed with regard to flour and many other articles were the victims of our overwrought nerves. For instance a rumor was circulated that there was going to be a scarcity of salt, and in a few hours stores were completely sold out of this commodity.
Government regulation appeared to be the only alternative and immediately steps were taken to control the situation. A new department in government was organized. It was called the Food Department and was put under the direction of Mr. Herbert Hoover. Commissioners were ap- pointed throughout the various districts. These in turn appointed food administrators each of whom had charge of a local situation. Mr. W. D. George was appointed commissioner for Alle- gheny County and Mr. E. O. Spotts administrator for the Allegheny Valley. Through this or- ganization an attempt was made to regulate distribution of any and all articles of food, particularly where a shortage became apparent, and to maintain general oversight of food distributors to pre- vent any unscrupulous ones from taking undue advantage of the situation.
Sugar became so very scarce that sugar bowls disappeared entirely from the tables in public eating places and when sugar was necessary, as for tea, a meager portion was issued in an envelope or small container. Allotments were made to families based on the number of members. At first three pounds per month were allowed for each individual. Later this was decreased to two pounds per month. In speaking of the work the food administrator said, "Surely these regulations produced a versatile crop of liars." The retailer could procure sugar only by use of the so-called "sugar certificate." This certificate was a statement of the amount of sugar sold for the corre-
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sponding month of the previous year and a request for a similar quantity. The request was honored for 60 per cent of the amount when the supply warranted it. These certificates were filled out and given to the food commissioner, who in turn presented them to the wholesaler. The wholesaler then submitted them to the jobber to get his supply. The jobber delivered the sugar to the whole- saler, who in turn delivered it to the retailers according to the basis above mentioned. The rules were "no certificate, no sugar," and in many districts where the food administrator was careless and neglected to collect and forward the certificates at the proper time there was a sugar famine. Be it said to the credit of those who were in charge of distribution for this district that when there was sugar to be had Allegheny Valley got its share.
Flour also became scarce and not only was it very expensive but people were asked to use an equal amount of substitutes, a list of which is given below. It was practically impossible to send these substitutes overseas, particularly those made from corn, as the Europeans are not familiar with the use of corn and are able to make scarcely anything palatable from its products. For this reason we were obliged to eat the corn and send the wheat to our Allies. The wheaten loaf dis- appeared from the table and "War Bread" was substituted, which was bread baked from a mixture of wheat flour with whatever other cereals were available to complete the mix. This bread was much like the boy of Mother Goose Fame-it was "not very good nor yet very bad" but although it was rather unpalatable to many, it was very nourishing, and people in general accepted the dis- comforts cheerfully.
The following is a copy of the all too familiar poster seen on the counter of almost every grocery store.
FLOUR SUBSTITUTES
THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS ORDERED MUST BE SOLD WITH EACH PURCHASE OF FLOUR
I lb. of flour, I lb. of any of the following substitutes.
Hominy Rice
Corn Grits
Rice Flour
Cornmeal
Edible Corn Starch
Corn Flour
Potato Flour
Buckwheat Flour
Sweet Potato Flour
Barley Flour
Soya Bean Flour
Rolled Oats
Oatmeal
Feterita Flour and Meals
Under No Consideration Must FLOUR be SOLD WITHOUT an EQUAL AMOUNT OF SUBSTITUTES.
The purchaser could choose from this list as he saw fit and rice flour was a popular choice when it could be had. The retailer was permitted a profit of $.75 a barrel on flour.
Meat also became scarce. Not only were the European countries not raising animals for meat but the strenuous life they were living demanded more solid food than was their custom. For this reason there were certain days of each week called "meatless days," on which we Ameri- cans were asked not to eat meat and butchers were instructed not to sell many special kinds.
So much for what might be termed the negative side of conservation. The citizens of the com- munity and other communities as well were as strongly urged to plant war gardens and to can and preserve the products of those gardens as they were to conserve the more staple articles of food.
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ADDENDA
WAR GARDENS
The term "War Gardens" became an accepted constituent of our vocabulary about the spring of 1917. Rapidly advancing prices of food due very largely to exports to war-ridden Europe called attention in an unmistakable way to a marked decrease in the world's food supply. A careful survey of conditions in America revealed that many "Yankee" producers were quitting their farms for more remunerative work in the factories. Something had to be done and that quickly as the world was facing a famine. In many agricultural communities large numbers of business and professional men set aside one day a week in which to assist the farmers.
District No. 15 turned its attention to gardening. Almost every family that had a plot of ground available dug it up and planted vegetables. On account of the congestion in many parts of the District there were very many families that could not get a place to garden, although they were willing and anxious to do all they could to help produce food. Some of the corporations encouraged this spirit and assisted in its exercise by donating to their employees the use of ground suitable for gardening purposes. In each instance the ground was plowed, harrowed, and staked off into plots ready for planting without charge to those who would agree to work it. In so far as the contour of the acreage would permit, the plots were laid out 50x100 feet in dimension.
Among the corporations furnishing gardens to their employees were the following: Heiden- kamp Plate Glass Co., Springdale, 50 plots; Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co., Creighton, 50 plots; West Penn Steel Co., Brackenridge, 95 plots; Allegheny Plate Glass Co., Glassmere, about 65 plots and McFetridge Brothers Coal Co., Creighton, about 50 plots. In addition to these above mentioned there were several tracts privately owned that were made available to the public in the same manner as those above mentioned. One piece of ground in the Creighton District consisted of about 85 plots, another in the Natrona District of 21 plots, two in the Brackenridge Heights District of 40 plots and 200 plots respectively. Another piece of ground in the Natrona Heights District con- sisted of about 30 plots. Nearly all of the gardens were very productive; although accurate history must record that some, probably because of poor soil or youthful and inexperienced gardeners, were less fruitful than others. Even these latter, however, afforded valuable object lessons which added to the huge aggregate of benefit resulting from war garden work.
There were also a large number of vacant lot gardens. It is estimated that there were from 250 to 300 of these in Harrison Township alone. These were as a rule well cultivated and gave excellent returns. The vegetables produced furnished good substitutes for cereals that could be conveniently shipped not only to our own boys overseas but to countries that were in dire need.
No estimate can be furnished of the amount of material produced by these gardens, but when we say that probably more than 400 acres of ground were suddenly brought under intensive cultivation some idea can be had of the immense quantities of vegetables that were grown and the resultant influence it had on our relation in general to food supply.
CANNING
One of the most interesting parts of our food-conservation campaign and also one of the very profitable parts was the campaign for canning, preserving, and drying fruits and vegetables. Com- mittees were appointed by the different branches of the Red Cross Society to take special charge of this work. The work in Tarentum was under the direction of Mrs. O. C. Camp as chairman, while the Natrona-Brackenridge part was taken care of by Miss Cornelia Brackenridge. Meetings were arranged here and there throughout the district and demonstrators were brought in who were able
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YVIL
1. Clarence Russell Harper
6. Roy E. Heffelfinger 7. Charles Leonard Heid
8. Leon William Heid 9. Walter Frederick Heid
14. Theodore M. Hendrickson
15. Joseph B. Zavacky
16. John Milton Hill 17. Morris Herman 18. Johnson Henry 19. Pasko Ivanovich
20. Ralph Wesley Irwin
21. John William Heidenreich 22. Ira Albert Hemphill 23. Edward W. Huey 24. Ray L. Huff 25. Raymond A. Hughes
26. Roy L. Hughes
2. Jesse E. Haynes 3. Walter Harenski
4. Arthur Hazlett
5. Ralph Hazlett
10. Albert Hoak
11. William C. Hoak
12. Paul Hoch
13. Jesse Huet
27. John W. Hulings 28. Negley Humes 29. Charles L. Humphreys 30. Homer Humphreys
PLATE XVII
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ADDENDA
to explain the latest government-approved methods for this line of work. Two of the speakers who spent some time in the district were Miss Brown and Miss Hall of State College, who, through a series of meetings in schoolhouses, church basements, or any rooms that were available in any particular community, gave very interesting and instructive lectures with demonstrations of canning, preserving, wheatless bread baking, and other things that were of vital importance at that time. These meetings were enthusiastically attended; one of the smallest meetings in the district had an attendance of thirty-five. The Government Demonstration Car was also brought to Tarentum for one day. Arrangements for this car were in charge of Mrs. O. C. Camp. The ladies of the community brought in vegetables of different kinds and the food demonstrators who were with the car canned or preserved them as requested and by the latest approved methods.
It is difficult to estimate the importance of what was accomplished through this campaign, but some idea may be had from the single fact that in countless numbers of homes those who had not been accustomed to canning put up the bulk of their winter's food and so successful were they that a large percentage of the women are continuing to do it because, as they say, "The family like best the things I put up." This is true of fruits as well as of vegetables and the experience gained through this method of conservation in war times will no doubt prove invaluable in combating the "high cost of living" in the future.
FUEL
The conservation of fuel was as necessary as the conservation of food. One of the principal reasons for this was to provide coal for ships to deliver the food and supplies so vitally needed on the war-ridden continent. This caused an unusual demand for coal, with the result that mines every- where were urged to increase their output to the highest possible limit and conservation of fuel was urged not only upon corporations and large users but upon private consumers as well. The fuel administrator issued orders that stores and offices were to be kept closed on Mondays, which thereupon became known as "heatless days." Certain regulations were also put into effect that decreased the period during which heating was necessary on other days of the week. Electric signs in stores, offices, et cetera, were forbidden. "Lightless days" were declared. Street cars, in order to save electricity, put into effect what was known as the "skip stop" regulations. "Gaso- lineless Sundays," on which no automobiles were to be used except those necessary in case of emer- gency, were among the many innovations. While there was a vigilance committee whose business it was to report infractions of these various regulations, yet the people in general were largely placed on their honor, and be it said to their credit that in very few instances did anyone violate one of these rules.
The materials saved through these various agencies were enormous, and no other demand during the war brought out to better advantage the unity of purpose of the American People than did these requests for conservation. It seemed as if there was nothing that they would not do to assist and no request for conservation ever made by those in authority went unheeded.
It may be of interest to compare the war and pre-war prices of the same kinds of merchandise.
These prices were procured from local merchants and in many instances are for a specific article, in which case an article of standard make was selected.
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ADDENDA
GROCERIES
Article
Pre-war Prices
Peak Prices
Eggs
(doz.)
.30
Butter
(1b.)
.30
.90
Potatoes
(bu.)
1.75
5.00
Men's
(pr.)
8.00
21.00
Lima Beans
(lb.)
.08
.22
Navy Beans
66
.05
.I8
Men's
66
5.00
15.50
Coffee, Rio
.13
.27
Women's
5.00
14.40
Sugar
.05
.34
Cream Cheese
.15
.45
Milk
(can)
.IO
Molasses
.20
.40
Syrup
.IO
Baked Beans
(can)
.15
.22
Rolled Oats
(1b.)
.09
.15
Corn Flakes (box)
.IO
.15
Bread
(loaf)
.IO
.19
Hatchets
.60
1.50
Paint Brushes
.IO
.25
Galvanized Ware, inc. 350 per cent.
Gas Stoves
250 per cent.
Wringers
3.50
7.00
Round Steak
.25
.45
Tenderloin Steak
66
.20
.50
Veal Chops
66
.20
.35
Veal Steak
.35
.50
Veal Stew
.12}
.18
FLOUR & FEED
Flour
(bbl.)
5.50
20.25
Wheat
(bu.)
1.00
4.00
Oats
.50
1.85
Salt Pork
66
.30
.45
Timothy Hay (ton)
20.00
45.00
Middlings, Brown, per 100
1.50
3.50
Middlings No. 2 White, per 100
1.75
3.75
Cement
(bbl.)
1.75
3.00
DRY GOODS
Apron Gingham
(yd.)
.08
.32
Dress
.124
.50
Percale
.12를
.65
Sheeting
.35
I.IO
Thread (Clark's) (spool)
.05
.15
Flannelette
(yd.)
.IO
.45
Silk
1.00
quality
3.50
Satin Patria
66
2.50
6.00
Table Linen
1.50
66
.85
News Print Paper
.021/4
.17
Table Oil Cloth (yd.)
.25
.55
Machine-finished Book Paper, Ib.
.05
.I8
Linoleum
66
.75
1.50
Hair-cut
.25
.60
Inlaid Linoleum
1.50
3.00
Shave
.IO
.20
CC
.16
.45
Nuts & Bolts
100 per cent.
Zinc-faced Washboards
.35
1.25
Zinc per pound
.07
.28
Screen Doors
1.00
2.50
Chickens
.25
Turkeys
.30
.70
Lard
.122
.40
.25
Corn
.85
2.50
Lamb Leg
Lamb Chops
.30
.45
Lamb Stew
66
.IO
.122
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Pianos
increase 30 to 50 per cent.
Player Pianos
20 to 25 per cent.
Phonographs
30 to 50 per cent.
MISCELLANEOUS
Wrapping Paper (1b.)
.03
IO
Twine
.15
.75
Hose (children's) (pr.)
.25
66
6.00
66
3.50
9.00
Whitehouse Coffee
-35
.60
Women's
9.00
18.80
Children's
1.25
2.50
Children's
3.50
7.00
Baby Shoes
"
.75
1.75
HARDWARE
Nails, increase 50 per cent.
Saws
1.50
3.75
MEATS
Bacon
(Ib.)
.30
.60
Hams
.30
.60
Pork Chops
.18
Boys'
SHOES
Prunes increase 100 per cent.
Men's
10.00
25.40
Carpet (Brussels)
I.IO
4.50
I.IO
Carpet (Velvet)
1.25
5.00
Peak
Article
Pre-war Prices
Prices
.60
"
.122
.16
91
ADDENDA
TARENTUM HIGH SCHOOL
One of the most active of the junior organizations in war work in this district was the Taren- tum High School. Led by various members of the faculty, the different classes and organizations of the school entered into some very spirited contests which produced most commendable results. Apparently the greatest work was done in the raising of funds, for it was along this line that a contest was most easily developed and interest best maintained.
The first excitement was in connection with the Y. M. C. A. Campaign. Fifty-three boys pledged and paid the sum of Ten Dollars each to this fund.
The second contest was in January, 1918, selling War Savings Stamps. A challenge was issued to the other classes by the Freshmen, and perhaps the most spirited contest of all followed. The Seniors were the winners with the Juniors a close second. A total of a little over Twenty-five Thousand Dollars was raised which was many times the amount expected by the Postal Authori- ties. The school prizes very highly the commendations that were received directly from Govern- ment Headquarters for this work.
The Liberty Club organized in connection with the Department of Public Speaking and assisted by the Musical Department put on several programs in the near vicinity. Student Four- minute Speakers were given a place on each program and procured many subscriptions for Bonds.
The appeal for Soldiers of the Soil was also heard and eighty-seven of the boys joined the working reserve. Mr. J. M. Dinsmore, a member of the faculty, supervised the work of a large delegation of these lads in a summer excursion into Clarion County, where they assisted the farmers in harvesting their crops and in preparing for the fall seeding.
The girls of the school were very active in Red Cross Work, and during the Fall of 1919 more than one hundred and fifty of them gave one hour and a half per week to the work under the super- vision of the local Red Cross Branch. This work was aided further by the sale of waste paper. Every Friday, papers, magazines, etc., were brought to the school, where they were bundled and sold and the proceeds were paid into the Red Cross Treasury.
Another contest was conducted in the interest of the United War Work Campaign. This was a percentage contest, with the Seniors as challengers and winners. They reported a percentage of one hundred and four. Seventy-five per cent of the entire school contributed.
A Student Cadet Corps was organized and took part in the parades and celebrations that were given on various occasions. In fact there were few phases of the work at home in which it was possible for young people to take part where some organization of the Tarentum High School was not to be found in cooperation, and the results obtained were highly complimentary to all those who had part in the direction of the work.
BRACKENRIDGE SCHOOLS
WAR STAMPS
Term 1917 and 1918 " 1918 and 1919
$1400.00
2330.91
TOTAL
$3730.91
WAR ORPHANS
1918 and 1919 term 3 @ $36.50 each
$109.50
1919 and 1920 " 3 @ 36.50 "
109.50
TOTAL
$219.00
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ADDENDA
JUNIOR RED CROSS
1917 and 1918 term 1918 and 1919 No record
$137.00
Y. M. C. A. 1917 and 1918 term 1918 and 1919 No record
$232.00
7th Grade
8th Grade
HAND SEWING
146 Towels
250 Towels
57 Wash Cloths
100 Pillow Cases
34 Pillow Cases 50 Bottle Covers
60 Bottle Covers
26 Bed Socks
IO French Pillow Cases
20 French Pillow Cases
Knitted Work
Knitted Work
2 Sweaters
IO Scarfs
16 Socks
IO Sweaters
4 Mufflers
Helmet
TOTAL 329
467
HARRISON TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS
Under the direction of Miss Blanche Charles, Domestic Science teacher-1917-1918-canning and sewing classes were organized and the girls did a great deal of work that was very commendable.
In 1917 Dr. Jno. A. Huth offered his time and services to the pupils of the high school for First Aid Work. A large class was organized and a very excellent course in First Aid was given.
Junior Red Cross-1917-1918. Number of Auxiliaries, 6.
Number of pupils belonging, 1163.
Amount raised and contributed, $290.75.
Number of Auxiliaries 1918-1919, 6.
Number of pupils belonging, 1220.
Amount raised and contributed, $305.00.
Total amount raised and contributed, $595.75.
Armenian Fund, 1919. Amount raised and contributed, $196.97.
Belgian Relief Fund, 1918. Pupils collected and packed 1,500 lb. of clothes.
War Gardens, 1917.
Number of pupils having gardens, 180.
(Many of the gardens were failures, due to the infertility of the soil and the dry weather. The failures were all at Brackenridge Heights. The ninety or more gardens on the West Penn Steel Company's land were very good, with the possible exception of five or six plots.) Liberty Bonds sold by teachers and pupils, $15,000.
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ZYIII
1. John Wesley Humphreys
2. Walter R. Inman 3. Johnston Irwin
4. Axel Johnson
5. Walter Jackson
6. John Kazinski
7. Dr. Robert C. Johnston
8. Gustave Charles Keller
9. Austin Ralph Jones
10. Howard J. Johnston
11. William John Kellerman
12. Andrew Kaluik
13. Speedy Walter Kepple
14. Daniel Kaney
15. George Edward Kirchthaler
16. Ralph Jackson Kaney
17. Joseph Kaperzyzski 18. Anthony Kauzor
19. Nicholas Joseph Klems
20. Edmund Kelly
21. Michael J. Kolwicz
22. Peter Kendall
23. Robert D. Kennedy
24. Thomas Rutherford Kennedy
25. Williard E. Kennedy
30. Fred Kuhn
PLATE XVIII
26. James Kesner
27. Mike Kish 28. Joseph Koch 29. Waclaw Koncki
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United War Work Campaign:
Victory Boys and Girls, 59
Amount earned and contributed, five dollars each $295.00
30 class rooms at $10.00 each
300.00
TOTAL $595.00
Thrift Stamps bought by pupils, including amount contributed for Pershing Certificate, $2,575.00
ST. JOSEPH'S JUNIOR RED CROSS
The Junior Red Cross Unit for St. Joseph's School was organized in July, 1917.
This was the first Junior Unit organized in Natrona. The members began sewing during the summer vacation at the Brackenridge Home. In September the work was taken to school and continued there under the direction of Sister Martina.
Each month a large supply of Red Cross Work was sent out by the unit. Towels and pillow cases were the main articles made by the members. In addition to these, sheets, knitted face cloths, glass covers, and comfort kits were made.
After the armistice was signed this line of work was discontinued and the members devoted their attention to War Savings and Thrift Stamps.
The officers of the organization, from the time it was taken up in school, were Sister Martina, President; Eleanor Koenig, Secretary; Margaret Connell, Treasurer.
FIRST OIL WELL DRILLED IN AMERICA
An observing passenger on an old Pennsylvania canal boat any summer's day in the early '50's might have had his attention attracted to a filmy substance overspreading the placid surface of the water.
Upon closely scrutinizing it, he would have noted that it was of a yellow color, green in splotches, and when the sun struck at a certain angle he would have noticed that it reflected all the various colors of the rainbow. He might have made a mental note of the fact that ripples from the motion of the clumsy craft disappeared when they came in contact with this new substance.
It might have puzzled the traveler of that day, but a decade or so later it would have been quickly recognized as oil-now one of the most common agents in the world, but in that day and age practically unknown.
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