New Britain Herald Newspaper, August 25, 1917, Page 6

Britain Herald. IRALD PUBLISHING COMPANY. Proprietors. dally (Sunday excepted) at 4:15 p. ™., &t Herald Building, 67 Church St red at tde Post Omce at New Britain 88 Becond Class Mail Mattoer. livered by carrier to any I ’r“r‘rn"':\(’::;‘y for 18 cents a week, 65 conis 4 OT L ptions for paper to be sent by mail bie in advance, 60 cents Y P $1.90 a year. #o onty prontabie ;dven(-mi,fl:&:{urx{el‘: " the city. Circulation books AnS room alwavs open to adve s. Tota- found on_male at 3 unn;'-”%m""s‘::na. 42nd St ng‘? X?ro:\d': way, New York City: Board wall, At fantic City, and Hartford Depot. TELEPHONE CAL iness Office orial Rooms . ] A Soldier’s Prayer. Lord, give me this day my manhood to stand straight. Lead me Into battle with a clean heart jand a sober mind. Deliver me from blind hate and wanton ruth- | Jessness; give me only that | white anger that lends righteous- fess to battle. Help me to pre- e the Idea of my forefathers. me keep my mother’s face pve me and the feel of my father’s hand upon my shoulder; and strengthen them against the day when I shall return no . Amen. —HAROLD MACGRATH. Lef AMERICAN MOTHERS. L “My son has gone to the colors,” Mites a mother to the Herald, “‘and ff 'had ten more sons of military age I 5uld gladly send them along with tha [There is a touch of the ald time pa- lotism. It is good to see such spirit. is a pleasure to record such senti- lent. So long as American mothers 4nce this same brand of interest in ‘e nation’s welfare the nation need sver fear for its own safety. It ls the ime prompting of the heart that bade e Spartan mothérs of old to send r sons forth to battle, to come yme with their shields or on their lds. Other mothers’ sons have gone to lie colors, and, without expressing the me sentiment in words these others too have felt the same way bout their boys. There is more than e mother who regrets she has but e son to give for her country. If bu know of any mother’s son who has bne to the colors from New Britain, nd in his name so that it may be Hded here and now to the honor roll. THE HOUSTON AFFAIR. | When the East St. Louis trouble in full swing the nation thought had faced its worst race riot; but he nation was mistaken. There was t to be a real race riot, and the tage was cven at that time being set t Houston, Texas. The full drama ras staged there Thursday night. eventeen persons lost their lives, and Be deplorable feature of it all is bhat United States soldiers were the pain actors in this tragedy. | The stage was being set at Houston pr this riot when the trouble was gking place at East St. Louis. This, cause the War Department at that J#me had completed its plans for nding colored troops into Southern ing camps. If there is one place olored troops do not bhelong it is In these same camping grounds. The 1d flame of race hatred has not en- rely died out in some parts of the outh. It can be stirred up the mo- ment white men are compelled, pder army regulations, to salute col- officers. Yet, that is not the me reason for the start of the riot Houston Thursday night. The whole affair goes back undamentals. In the South the egroes and the whites are a8torded o separate and distinct methods of eatment. There are, in some states, the “Jim Crow” laws. rs must be separated to Negro passen- ers on street ca om The negroes are confined of he cars, the whites to the front. W-hen man wears the uniform of a United tates soldier, be he white or black, be must he accorded the respect Which that uniform deserves. He, in must obey the law. Tt is easily en, then, what will happen iwhen hite soldiers and colored soldiers jare handled with two different sets of gloves. Congressmen from the South, the same section, white passcnger to the rear portion and newspapers from lhave been loud in their p Ipatriotism of there. rightly rushed aise of the ored people These folk with a vim and the col Anc S0, to the colors that youth of ing upon ti from the South, and the newspapers as well, warned the sending of these troops for training to the South. This, because of the conflict in races that was bound to assert it- been inspiring to the In some of the statesmen has gusto the nation. comment- s, against NEW BRITAIN DAILY HERALD, SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1917. self wherever the two were brought face to face with the social barriers erected after the routine of military drill. | The twenty-fourth United States Infantry, several companies of which rarticipated in the outhreak at Hous- ton, is, all told, a thoroughly plined body of men. have any command. Their then all the since, sworn to protect the fl the precipitatc disel-- As soldiers, they few equals in crime is greater « and heip and kill and wound Their laws of government, they A riot innocent people. should In penalty. punishment to fit the occ 1 death be made sion. time of war, ain the those terrible of the Having taken care of Wwho participated in this blemish on the escutcheon United States Army, the War Depart- ment should then it that no troops are sent for training in or near Southern towns, the inhabitants of which cannot be expected to change their traditions or customs over night see to more colored There are plenty training grounds in other sections of the country. IN PIERCE COUNTY. ociferance is a trait characteristic of the If he cannot fight he can holler. Hence the great dis- turbances taking place nightly on the streets of little old New York. Few in number, the pacifiists make up for this by heing extremely vocipotent in their activities. They have made the welkin ring in more than one locality. They have brought the soap box again in the limelight. Not all places know how to deal with th brand of folk. Pierce County, GeordN, does. All other countles states that are seriously confronted with the problem of dealing with pro-Germans and their stanch back- the pacifists, may take example from this little part of southeastern Georgia; a veritable neck of the woods. To take the facts from authentic newspaper reports: There was a meeting, some time ago, in the court- bouse at Blackshear, the county seat of Plerce. The meeting was held under the auspices of souls there op- posed to the workings of the Selec- tive Draft law. It v very thoroughly advertised. The anti- | conscription were out full force, in full bloom. Banners were | waving; that is, all sorts of banners pacifi in other ers, s widely and men in FACTS D FANCIES. Depend on King Corn to show his | usual speed on the home stretch.— Omaha Bee. We very seldom swear, but O, gosh, | we do hate warmed-over string beans. -—Ohio State Journal. Jtussia is much alarmed over inter- nal ¢ ensions and eternal delay in the United States.—Boston Herald. Mr. Root says s riots do not { amount to much. He's seen a few Re- | publican national conventions.—New | York World. Plaitsburg’s fame as the \nnnlng! camp of officers will not be lost while | our country endures.—New York Times, Roumania is to have & new cabinet; and Roumania deserves it—"swell front” and br knobs.—Memphis | Commercial Appcal. | General Scott says he travelled 15,- 000 miles in Russia, and didn’t see a drunken man. He should come to Boston.—Boston Advertsier. | When the world is safe and sane | again there will be loud applause and cheers on the Democratic side.—Phil- adelphia Public Ledger. “What is Americanism?” asks the New Yorker Herold, and everybody | will hope that it may be enlightened on, a subject concerning* which it is at present lamentably ignorant. York Sun. Let the beef barons rage and the food gamblers gnash their teeth and howl! What care we, Wwith a barrel of salt woodchuck in the cellar?.— Manchester Union. From’ all indications, the national army of exempts will make quite a showing, if it ever goes out on parade, but it will probably win no medals of honor.—Lynn Item. [ If you really have something to say, people will not criticise the grammar you use.—Cincinnati Enquirer. Ou ‘&plan for ending the war is to drop &_few more bombs on the muni- tions works at Essen. That ought to disrupt them satisfactorily.—Chicago | Post. This scare about germ-infested court plaster in Kansas and Colorado is likely to reduce the number of | beauty stickers on ladies’ cheeks.— Tacoma Ledger. It is said that the pickets all have money. That is a matter of no consequence. The pain- ful part of it is they have no sense.— | Houston Post. ‘White House A woman who really wishes to but Old Glor There were well worded posters against the draft. And, | to top off the ineeting in ¢ there fire-eating state-wide reputation. Soon® after the uneecting was called to order, he mounted the rostrum and spat forth fire against the government and ail things pertaining to the drafts In- stead of starting a fight immediately, as some would have done ,it is ported by the Atlanta Journal the auditors t idly amused.” Then, we quote the report on the ir, “When the Anti-American had finished, an American got up, plained and defended the selective service act, showed its wisdom, jus- tice and necessity, and " his hearers cheered. Then a Baptist clergyman, Dr. Price of Waycross, told, and stirred the patriotic enthustasm of the assemblage to an even higher | pitch, of the advice he had given to his son: “My boy, »od shape, | was a orator of | re- that ex- I would rather see vou wrapped in the Stars and Stripes, than see our coun- try wrapped in the flag of the kaiser while you stood by as a slacker.” That was the clincher. When a motion was introduced to petition Congress to repeal the sclective draft law it was voted down. To use the language of the Journal, it met with “hoots and laughter”” The anti- Amerlcan meeting was turned, in brief moment, into out-and-out American meeting. And there was no fighting to bring this about. It goes to show what a few good Americans can do when they set out to accomplish things proper way. It ds not always advisable to draw guns. It is not always the best thing in the world to precipitate riots. when presented to horne mnobly home, a an all in the Common even semi-intelligent people, will gen- come out on top. It did in Blackshear, Pierce county, Georgia. It will in other county in any other state in America. When prop- people, ensc, craliy any erly approached, our even Because the Germans are knocking the gates of Riga is no sign they To do that they an entrance into Petro- | grad, some three hundred miles away, the roughest country in the And, then, after that, they would probably find the Russian gov- at will conquer Russia must force | over | world. i { ernment firmly ensconced at Moscow. | Looking hack into history the | Germans may be able to see what even a retreat from Moscow means. Napo- leon *hit the trail” from there, and it was ‘a long long way to Tipperary.’ T. R. is now hailed as the proper person to put the “rush” back in Russia. o, the worst of them, can see the light. | marry a man with a clearly developed | streak of yellow can fill her ambition to the limit by marrying a sl Schencetady Union-Star, Faithless Nelly Gray. Ben Battle was a soldier bold, And used to war’s alarms; But a cannon-ball took off his legs, So he lald down his arms. Now, as they bore him off the field, Said he, “Let others shoat, For here I leave my second leg, And the Forty-second Foot.” The army-surgeons made him limbs: Said he, ‘They’re only pegs: But there’s as wooden members quite As represent my legs.” | Niow, Ben he loved a pretty maid, Her name was Nellie Gray: So he went up ta pay his devours, When he devoured his pay. But when he called on Nelly Gray, She made him quite a scoff, And, when she saw his wooden legs, Began to take them off. “Oh, Nelly Gray! Oh, Nelly Gray! Is this your love so warm? The love that loves a scarlet coat Should be more uniform.” Said she, “'I loved a saldier once, For he was blithe and brave; But I will never have a man With both legs in the grave. “Before you had those timber toes, Your love I did allaw: But then, you know, you stand upon Another footing now.” “Oh, Nelly Gray! Oh, Nelly Gray! For ali vour jeering speeches, At duty’s call T left my legs In Bajagos’s breaches.” “Why, then,” said she, “you've lost the | feet i Of legs in war's alarms, And now you cannot wear your shoes | TUpon your feats or arms.” “Oh, false and fickle Nelly Gray! T know why you refuse; Though I've no feet, some other man Is standing in my shoes. “I wish I'd never seen your face; But now, a long farewell! For you will be my death; alas! You will not be my Nell Now, when he went from Nelly Gray, | His heart so heavy got, | And life was such a burden grown, It made him take a knot. So round his melancholy neck A rope he did entwine, And, for his second time in life, Enlisted in the line. ‘ One end he tied around a beam, And then removed his pegs, And, as his legs were off, of course He soon was off his legs. And there he hung till he was dead | As any nail in town: | For, though distress had cut him up, ! It could not cut him down. 5 A dozen men sat on his corpse, To find out why he died: And they buried Ben in four cross- roads, ‘With a stake in his inside. —THOMAS HOOD, I Civil | tirely { placed in a barrel, shuffled and then | could | signing | children. | well Drafting in 1917 for the Great War and drafting in 1861-1865 for the War were conducted along en- different lines and, according to old local residents who have wit- nessed the operation of bhoth, the twentieth century system is eminent- y more fair than that in vosue fifty ago. During the Civil War fting in N Britain the names of men obtainable were collected, dr all drawn. Tt made no difference then if a man was married and had sixteen dependents, he had to go if arafted ; and p d by the doctors. Likewise it made no difference if he was the most. skillful mechanical genius em- ployed in the manufacture of arms or munitions. If drafted he had to go. Today all is different. An almost complete list of all men is obtained and their numbers are drawn in an eminently fair manner. ~Then they are selected according to their abili- ty to serve and the working of the least hardship on the majority. Thus a mechanica® genius may be kept at his lathe as more valuable to the government and a married man may be kept at home to provide for his dependents and prevent them from becoming public charges. Fifty years ago if a man thought he was unjustly drafted he had but one recourse—to flee to Canada or go into hiding. Today he may appeal to the local or district boards and be as- sured that the merits of his case will be considered. In the Civil War if a drafted man had ample means he purchase a substitute to take his place. Today the richest must do his bit with the poorest and no substitutes can be secured. In proof thereof is the case of Kingdon Gould of New York, or Harold Lee Judd of this city, voung millionaires num- bered in the draft who are taking their places with others from all walks of life. In the huge vault in the city clerk's office is a little draw- er filled with faded and dusty papers, papers that tell, in many cases, of privations and sufferings here a half century ago. This drawer, simply labeled “War 1861 to 5,” has prob- ably not been opened in a quarter of a century but a glimpse at its con- tents may at this time be interesting to New Britainites: A statement issued from the state headquarters on August 25, 1862, just fifty-five years ago today, shows the schedule of the quotas of troops re- quired of the several towns in the state under President Lincoln’s calls for 560,000 and 300,000 three years volunteers and 300,000 nine months militia. This report shows the New Britain enrollment in 1861 to have been 647 men, and on the calls for 800,000 men the town’s quota was 227. The 1862 enrollment was 580 men and the quota on 300,000 men was 97. The aggregate quota on all calls was thus 324. The town did furnish on the call for 500,000 men a quota of 204, leav- ing 120 more needed. Berlin had 268 wen enrolled In 1861 and was called upon to.give 127. This place gave 59 leaving 68 morc needed. Other musty papers show drafted men during the Civil War paying as high as $200 for a substitute and other receipts on file show that many men were urged to enlist by being paid bounties of $100, $250 and $300. When a drafted man hired a substitute he was dis- charged from the draft as soon as the cubstitute was enlisted and numerous blanks like the following indicate that substitutes could be secured: “Hartford, Conn., Jan. 10th, 186 “I hereby certify that has this day enlisted into the dervice of the United States, has been mustered into the service for three years as a substitute for —— and is credited to the quota of the town of New Britain. ‘“Apollos Fenn, “Dept. Provost Marshal, District of Connecticut.” Other records show men enlisting and sccuring a bounty of $100 or so an order to transfer the to their parents, wives, or There also are many letters written around the Union campfires on southern fields, some from as far away First amount | as New Orleans and Baton Rouge, by New Britain soldiers asking the town clerk, selectman or other officials to care for their dependent wives, moth- ers or children. Some of these war- time letters, written by men who were subsequently killed in action or by men who survived and who later re- turned home and subsequently became known citizens, reflect the dark days of the war and an earnest desire for an early peace. .o It certainly would make a whole lot of American citizens feel a whole lot better if the exemption board can find some method whereby the eligible allens, seeking exemptions because they are foreign subjects, are brought | to time ana made to fight for cither their own | thought of these foreigners accepting lall of the land or this one. The pri iges without sharing any of the responsibilities most. distalsteful to the true Americans. P ‘What has become of the recent agi- is | tation of the Liberty-Forest street res- idents who would have the entire | street called by one name or the oth- er? Sometime ago the board of pub- lic works advised a hearing, but it was subsequently postponed and now appears to have been shoved into a pigeon holer s The public appreciates Uncle Sam'’s recent action, through Postmaster De- janey, in providing new mail boxes and installing them on individual pedestals instead of on hitching posts or telegraph poles as in the days of yore. . e ' yJAmong those who sought exemption from the draft was a genuine Irish- man, the fact that he was genuine being evidenced by his following plea: «Tt ain’t thot I'm afraid at all at all, but not one o’ youse kin explain t'me whut good I'll be doin' Irelan’ by fightin’ fer England, bad cess to 'm An’ no one kin tell me any good come uy iver fightin’ wid th’ Dutchmen. I'm sick uv bein’ out uv it, an’ by the same token [ ain’t goin’ in till T find out how t' do somethin’ thot's got somethin’ t' do with th’ good uv auld Ireland.” Inasmuch as the above named Irish patriot is an alien anyway it looks as though he would get his exemption. . e x Remember the soldiers and sailors when you are through reading your | favorite periodicals and magazines. They may do much toward lightening the cares of the men in white and the men in khaki and will go far toward preventing them getting too mind weary of the eternally present war subject. * Drivers using the main thorough- fares are rapidly becoming accus- tomed to watch and obey the signals given by the automatic signal stand- ards in use at the corners of West Main and Main and Church and Main. The former signal appears to be the most efficient however, be- cause of its siz and unmistakable lettering. The signal at the other corner is apt to be more confusing to strangers as, on account of its re- duced size and the small letters it is not particularly conspicuous. D The resignation of Councilman Gardner C. Weld of the third ward, now called out into the federal ser- vice, again starts the hum of political gossip as to who his successor. will be. Already two men have been men- tioned. One is Edward G. Babcock, former safety board chairman who has previously expressed a desire to get into the council for one session in order to “show up” something. The other is Alexander Mackay, who was defeated in the republican primaries last spring by Mr. Weld. The latter has expressed a desire that Mr. Mackay get the position. It is thought by observers, however, that if the power that sits in the ma- hogany chair has the say it will not be Mr. Bagcocg who, it is said, fell into disrepute with the mayor and was ousted from power as a safety commissioner by not being named on either of the two new commis- sions. — o What's the matter Mr, Boggs, your fountain pen run dry, are ill or, perchance, is it because you may have recovered that we do not hear from you. What do you think, ask the barbers’ patrons, of those tradesmen boosting the price of a haircut to thirty-five cents, or maybe the condition of your scalp is such that haircuts have ceased to interest vou. At any event many men are loudly proclaiming against this in- crease, especially when some of the shops here can do business at for- mer prices and continue to make a fair profit. has you .« Two men stood at the corner of Main and Church street discussing a most important subject. One was stout, in fact it might be said that he was fat, and he is as well known and popular a business man as he is obese. His companion, while more than plump, was not as hefty, nor is he such a well known business man. While the former is an ardent mem- ber of the Tabs, the latter is one of those men who, if drafted, might clalm exemption on the ground of dependents—sixteen known bar- tenders being dependant upon him. Having thus established the status quo of these two celebrities we will proceed with the argument. Quote celebrity No. 2: ‘Tl tell you, if I had as much fun losing it (gazing fondly toward his feet which he had not been able to see in many years) as I had in getting it I'd have some time brother, some time.” Replied No. 1: *“Yes, 1 gesso, gesso."” Retorted No. 2: “But if I found it as expensive losing it as I did getting it I might go broke. It certainly cost me a pile of money. That's right, ain’t it-" And at this juncture No. 1 entered the tourney with. both substantial feet. “I don’t agree with you. I don’t think it has cost me very much. T.et’s see. P. J. Egan, the water com- missioner’s clerk tells men that the city furnishes water to the public at the rate of about 10,000 gallons for one cent. Now by jimminy, I doubt very much if I drink 10,000 gallons of water in any vear. In fact I doubt if T get my cent’s worth so I don't see how you can call a very expensive acquirement. But such an argument was beyond the comprehension of No. 2. I The Swagger Sticks. (Boston Transcript.) Two months ago Boston had a few “swagger sticks,” feminine of course, for the man who dared wear one would have been hooted off the street. Then came to the Common the re- cruiting detachments from Canadian regiments, the Kiltles among them, every man Sandy of them carrying a swagger stick, and presto! the fad was started . Now the ze grips the country from sea to sea, and the end is not yet. In June in Washington, not a swagger stick In sight, a few, for gir under the store counters, perhaps; August, Washington, warming now with officers, is all ggered up, so to speak. Bvery new- ly commissioned training camp rookies carries one and even some of the reg- ulars have succumbed. Among the enlisted men swaggeritis rages like a smallpox epidemic in a South sea isl- and. Naturally the swagger stick is being denounced as roundly as was the wrist watch a few years ago. But it will withstand the knockers. *What if it is a British importation? The Yan- kee is, or was. a stick-carrying animal; the swagger appeals to a sentiment in- herent in our national character. And the swagger-stick is a good thing from the military point of view—it makes a. soldierly appearance. It gives a man in uniform something to do with his hands, and permits him to overcome his natural instinct to slouch, with his fists in his pocket. The Turn of the Road. (Atlanta Constitution). Don’t waste time prayin’ for de long road to turn, for de turnin place may upset de wagon, wid you flat on de ground an’ de hoss runnin’ away! ing informal in tone. These lesson: Lesson No. 12. TEAMWORK IN THE ARMY. Preceding lessons: 1. Your Post of Honor. 2. Making Good as a Sol- dier. 3. Nine Qualities of a Sol- dier. 4. Getting Ready for Camp. 5. First Days in Camp. 6. Cleanli- ness in Camp. 7. Your Health. 8. Marching and Care of Feet. 9. Your Equipment and Arms. 10. Recreation in Camp. 11. Playing the Game. So far in this course we have been taking up seme of the problems which each soldier has to face and solve for himself; how to adjust him- self as quickly as possible to the routine of oamp life; how to keep himself and all his belongings clean in spite of the difficulties in the way; how to look after his own health and HOME READING COURSE FOR CITIZEN SOLDIERS Thirty daily lessons offered to men selected for service in Na- tional Army as practical help in getting started in the right way. . No attempt is made to give binding rules or directions, the course be- s are issued by the War Depart- ment which reserves right to reprint. DOING HIS BIT comfort; how to take care of arms and equipment; and how to get real Army life. If the course were to stop just at this point it might leave in your mind a false impression. For after all, the the great game of war; he is valuable chiefly as a member of a team. It is a team of enormous size. It is or- ganized in rather a complicated way. This team we call the Army. Your Army life will be more inter- esting if you know in a general way how the team is organized. This will enable you to see more clearly where you fit in and what is expected of you. If you have been working for a- business concern, you are already fa- miliar with many of the elements of ariny organization. You have been in touch with the same things under different names. Need for Teamwork. In a factory or store or office— wherever large numbers of people are working together—there is almost al- ways some one in direct charge of each group of workers. This person may be called a foreman in the shop, a chiet clerk in an office, a floor walker in a department store, or by any one of a number of other titles; in the Army we call him a corporal or a sergeant. Going up a step, you know that in every large concern there are numerous officers who take charge of various departments of the business such as the superintendent, the trafic manager, manager, the sales manager, the gec- | retary, the vice president, and so on; in the Army we call the men in corre- sponding positiong captains, majors, colonels and generals. Finally, you have at the top of the business con- cern a president or a general man- ager who directs everything; in the Army he is a commanding general. This general likeness between busi- ness organization and Army organiza- tion is helpful, but must not be car- ried too far. There is one vital aif- ference: The average business con- cern is somewhat easy-going; the re- sponsibility for each piece of work iy not always definitely fixed. In the Army everybody, on the other hand, is held to the strictest account. There is very seldom any doubt as to the man to be held@ responsible for e: task. i Responsibility Always Fixed. Within each rank, from major gen- eral to private, every man has his in- dividual ranking, depending upon his length of service in the office which he holds. This ranking insures that in every situation somebody always has authority and is responsible fo: whatever is done. Even if two pri- vate soldiers are working together without supervision, the one who has been longer in the service takes charge and the other must obey Mis orders. This rule applies every- where. In civillan life there is time for argument. You may have better ideas than your boss about how a cer- tain thing should be done and pos- sibly may convince him and get his original orders changed. In Army life nothing of this kind can be per- mitted. The officer in charge always has the full responsibility. ‘What- ever orders he gives must be instant- ly obeyed. It is far better to take action, even though the thing may not be done in the best possible way, than it is to stand still and debate. Lack of immediate actlon in the crisis of a battle might mean that the Army would be defeated, thou- sands of Hves lost, and possibly the honor of the country stained. Think over this difference hetween Army organization and civilian or- ganization. The longer you think about it, the more clearly you will see why your own interests demand that you should fit into your place in the Army and follow instructions much more strictly than is necessary in civil life. The Army is governed by mlilitary law. This means that soldiers are not brought to trial in civil courts, except for certain serious crimes, but are subject to military courts of in- quiry, summary courts, and courts- martial. However, this will never be a question of much importance to the great majority of men in the National Army. Success in Winning Victories. Success in winning victories is the object for which the Army exists. In comparison nothing else counts. Every officer and every soldier must be ready to make any sacrifice, big or little, to accomplish this object. An officer may spend years in working out solutions to military problems, only to find in the end that all the credit for what he has done is swal- lowed up in the general reputation of the Army. If this proves to be the case, he has no cause for complaint. enjoyment, as well as benefit, out of} soldier is not an individual player in | the advertising FREDERICK WILLIAM HOoFFMAaX. From the City Guard to the naval reserves. He first took the oath to help protect the city in case of danger but he has taken a greater contract now, that of being one of the defend- ers of the nation. These are the facts in the case and the manner in whicW Frederick Wm. Hoffmann responded to the call to the colors. “Fred,” as he is known to his { many friends, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hoffmann of 485 Myrtle .strest He is a graduate of the Ger- ! man American school in this city and in case he is sent overseas will have ! to fight those of the same blood but i not of the same spirit and mind. s 1 At present he is stationed with his companions in arms at New Haven. He has a brother who has served in the regular infantry for five years. It is the rule of the Army that every- thing must be done “for the good of the service.” o In the same way you may be callpd upon to carry through some danger- ous mission or to perform unpleasant . duties. Every such call is an oppor- tunity to show your loyalty to the service and to the Nation. Remem- ber in all these cases that hundreds of thousands of other men in the Army, from top to bottom, like your- self are working first and all the tidfe for the success of the team. It is usually the Army with the strongest team spirit that fights its way through to victory. Try to cul- tivate that spirit in the National Army, both in yourself and among vour comrades. COMMUNICATED AT THE SIGN OF THE FOUR. Design Suggested for Safety Board Pin Has Several Things Rampant. ‘Ta the Editor of the Herald: The next star chamber session of the Safety Boards, to be held soon, willk be most important. It will be open to the public (the day after.) The court suggester, first assistant dictator, keeper of the seals and safety: pins, will be present, primed with vital suggestions acquired during his recent: trip. They will be in chart form, easily understood by himself, and| guaranteed to “bring home the bacan.” The subjects of most imp:)‘h to be considered will be: Why I€a,; Safety Board? and the selection of a new style of safety board pin, ten: being needed. An humble and inquiring citizen and taxpayer suggests ‘‘brass’” as an ap- propriate metal to use, and in the form of a corksorew, not necessarily large, for the star chamber session ag-. vocates to hide behind. JAZZ. Coffee Houses and Conversations. To the Hditor of the Herald: When I entered a Coffee house not; very long ago and surveyed the estab- lishment, I could not do otherwise than think what changes had taken place in the Coffee House, since the,. - days of Dv. Johnson and his oirdld. There has been a distinct evolution ofy the Coffea House. In those days the Coffee House was given to the meeting of high classi clubs—political, literary and social. The greatest men of England in that age were wont to gather there. Con-; versation above all other things was the chief amusement and relaxation of' of the frequenters. Men view with' one another in speaking fluent and; polished English. There Johnson mingled with his friendly bowl” Thet feast of reason and the flow of tha{ soul. There the habitues of the Coffes! House spent many delightful worth while hours in the exchange o views, theories and speculations multifarious toptcs. In the modern Cuffee Ffouse there: was none of the great men of the city. The topics of conversation were ots low order. The “I see by the papers’” and “I'll betcha” types were much in evidence.. In fact they represented the, criteria of conversation. The cause aof this depreciation in, conversation in the last century or two| can be attributed to our modern life| with all its conventionalities, novelties( and diversions. Although this existifig state of affairs is to be deplored by all citizens especially those with taste for letters it seems impossible to, remedy.