New Britain Herald Newspaper, January 23, 1925, Page 3

THE BLACK GANG UNSAG O iy G Sticks (0 St : Untl_lthaLast This s the story of the "Black that grimy, hairy crew of weat:rags,” “oll- slingers’ 4nd zuipers which you, strolling the liner's deck in dustless flanngls or idlipg over dinner in evening clothes, never aee, Prob- ably’ you never even think of these men, But it is to them, to the in- credible ‘endurance, of their bodles, sooty and sweaty, stripped to the walst, that: you ‘owa the speed and ease of your crossing. They are the men who really break the ocean records and almost their backs, too. /Fhe skipper? Oh, ves, . much ¢redit to him, . but credit to his knowledge of wind and wave and course, because that's what put the gold stripes upon his sleeve and set him on the high, cool bridge. But never ‘forget. the men below, (I'll wager the skipper never does), nor their toll in/those depths to which no ray of' natural light ever penetrates. Hell Hole of Noise. There they stand thelr exhausting watches, in‘a hell-hole of noise and dirt, about:their necks the stringy black towels to smear the sweat from their faces or thrust into théir twisted mouths when they open the doors. of the {nsatlable furnaces| ti fling in coal or to con the blazing jets of the oll-burners. Hour after hour they bear it and then, when the trick ends, crawl up the hot ladders to thelr dingy, smut- etreaked quarters, drop into their bunks. worn and gasping—to sawait the next call below, “geldom do they see the ocean. Eome time, after they@fintsh their watches ‘of four hours, they may try to scrub the grease and dirt off thelr bodies, but. it is a hopeless job. Their work eats up every ounce of vitality, £0 they must take grub at one meal sufficient to appease more fortunate men for a day. For elght hours they can do what they like. They spend | that time sleeping. Then back at the ceaseless shoveling, olling and wiping, day in and day out, four hours on and elght hours off, until the ship 16 docked, when they get ready for the turn about; writes Harry P. Cunningham in The New York Evening World. The Black Gang. The “Black Gang,” so named be- cause of their grimy color caused by the c6al dust that settles on their faces, arms and bare bodies down to the waist, the most fearless men aboard a ship. 1t one became panicky and started for a ladder during an accldent thers would be another “sweat-rag” at the first rung with a ehovel ready to| kill him who was ‘‘yellow.” | Never does a ship founder with- out some, members of the “Black Gang” being unaccounted for. They are the last to leave a sinking ship. Crawling up narrow ladders they reach the deck and for the first time learn what has happened. “Closs the’ watertight compart- ments!” comes the command. A gang of huskles drop their shovels and run to their, stations, close the doors and remain in the prisons until the | words “All hands above,” when they scamper up ladders to the emer- | gency exits. ‘Why Ran? Ask one of them why he did not run when water began pouring into the stoke-hold. He will reply, “Why the 'ell should I? Another blokc would knock me cold. it I did, and it 'e ran I'd kill 'Im.. We don't play | that way down theré. If to ‘enl vou'rs goin’, you're goln', &0 why the 'ell run? You'd go quicker.” The “Black Gang' prides them- selves with being a “necessary evil” aboard ship. They are nobody's business; consequently they seek no glory or .praise. Thelr members rarely remain on one ehip more than a trip.. Today they are bound for New York; tomorrow to Indla. They | die young from consumption caused | by the inhalation of the fumes gen- | erated by gases and exposure, Others | die from drink and the results of | fights ashore started during the trip and finjshed when they signed off. Deéath for “Squealers.” Tn the old “snipper” one had to kill one's way | to that reputation. Many a “swab- | pot” left Liverpool or one of the other ports ‘alive, but never re-| ceived his pay in New York. !t; was just a que n of striking an enemy over the head with a poker | or shovel and. tossing his body into the furnace. - No one ever squealed. | To do that meant death to the in- former. Today the "B posed of a better On 'pe of man all of the large liners ol has sup- | @ Thousands of users sing 1its praises ¢¢]D ESINOL Ointment is the R best made. It cured a sore on my chin when every- thing else failed."—Tenn. 'Fil-n found instant relief from itching by using Resinol Ointment and Soap.”—Tex “1 find Resinol Soap most healing and eoothing as well as an exceilent cleanser.”—Celif. “For the first time in 19 vears ray body and face are clear of eczema. | will always t Resinol."—Mich “Resinol cured a ringworm like magic.'—N. J. Quoted from letters in our files (names on request) to show what Resinol Soap and Ointa ment can do for you if you ars suffering from skin trouble. Ask your druggist about ‘these pro- I days to bs a good| Gang" 18 com- |4 " RESINOL v. 8 BEST ’ Medicine UILDS YOU UP OVER 69 YEARS OF SUCCESS - ——— planted coal as fuekh. As a result fewer men are needed In the work and only the b3st men are signed on. The Majestic carries but 238 men in the engine room force, 70 of whom are engineers. The chlef engineer is Joseph Wolff, Chlef " ‘Engineer J. H. Thearle has a “Black Gang” of 167 aboard the Olymple, 40 of whom are engineers, The Homeric has 116, of ‘whom 89 are engincers, under Chief Engineer F. M. Ruddle. It coal propelled these steamships today the personnel would have to be augmented at least three times the number on each of those lines, Chief Engineer Glenn of the Adri- atie, which is a_coal-burning vessel, has a forca of 120 {n the “Black Gang.” Twenty-two of these are engineers. There are always two engineers in the stoke-hold and two in the engiwe room during the six watches a day’ of four hours on and eight hours off. Each watch shov- els 65 tons into the furnaces in a temperature of §0 degrees in winter and 100 in summer. Has Big Crew. The George Washington, of the United States lines, which is one of the larger coal-burning eteamships ot today, requires 206 men to main- tain the 205 pounds pressure in her boilers every second she is turning her two 23-ton screws at 17:50 knots an hour. W. G. Grace, chief engi- reer, swears by his men of the “Black Gang,” who never fall in the performance of’ thelr humble but arduous duty. There 4s only one man whose name stands out among these men who never cry. He was “Oly Joe,” a rellglous fireman aboard the Maure- tania several years ago. For two years while “Oley Joe” kept his *| tott thé ahip watch in athe intense heat never a man who, became temporarily in- sane by the furnace bldze ralsed a hand to atrike his comrade. During | that time profanity was taboo when Y014 Joe" was aboard. “Old Joe" was ever ready to do another bloke's wateh if the ‘“snipe” was ill, He worked himeelf into' consumption, d died without telling his‘name or re he came from, HONOR' MME. OURIE, Warsaw, Jan, 28.—The population ot Poland {8 preparing to ralse funda for a natlonal gift to Mme, Curie, the dlscoverer of radlum, The gift will take the form of a radium in- gtitute in Warsaw, her native city, Harvey & Lewis Selling ' Spedial Eclipse Glasses The total eclipse of the sun will begin Saturday morning at about 8:01 o'clack and last' until ~10:30 o'clock approximately, The eyes Bhould.be protected very carefully in viewing this natural phenomena of the planéts |s Science warning. Dur- ing the partial ‘eclipse, photographs may be taken of thig, memorable event to keep the individual record of this great and 360 year path of shadow in this geographical location. *Through the efforts of the.Harvey & Lewis Co, 85 West Maln 'street, op- ticlans, both views of the eclipse, personal and photographle, can be pleagurably promoted, provided the elements are favorable. These shields, 80l-0-Clipse, are very inexpensive and for photo- graphic. use bring in to them -your sky or color filter attachment which they will prepare for the taking of partial eclipse snap shots. The East- man Kodak Co. advise that during total eclipse no filter will be re- quired for photographic purposes, so the fliter ean be removed at this time. Ficld or opera glasses can b fitted with shields for the purpose o more minute observation. If you experience any inflammation of the eye from inadequate protection re- sulting from the use of common | smoke glass attend your eye special- it at once, do not delay action on | this, as delay may through some per. sonal weakness unknown to . you, badly damage nature's most perfect and valued gift, Do not risk &o much for so little trouble. The ef- fort, time, expense and spirit of serv- ive expressed in bringing these items of science to you, is the same quality of sclentific service rendered by the Harvey & Lewls companies through- out Connecticut and neighboring ‘lstates since 1890, Which, they hope to bring more intimately to your homes in establishing the New Brit- ain Company upon the same sound foundation of integrity and rellabil- ity maintained by its associate com- panies.—advt FOOD FOR BABIES Investigation of the Properties of the Pulp of Cocoanut Shows that Milk 1s Same as That of Mothers, Honoluly, Jan, 23.—Investigation | of the properties of the pulp of | young cocoanuts has developed that they contain all the constituents of human mothers' milk and perhaps may ‘'be used in the tropics to take the place of mothers’ milk, accord- ing to statements made before the | Pan-Pacific Science Counsel here by | Dr.oN. P. Larsen, of the Queen's hos- | pital, Honolulu, It developed during the meeting| that several Hawailans' present had | been weand on cocoanut pulp, but it} is belleved that the announcement | by Dr. Larsen is the firet to be made | of the actual chemical properties of | the pulp and milk of cocoanuts. It was pointed out that the milk | of the water buffalo,being five times | as rich as cow’s milk, might be add- ed to dehydrated pulp of young cocoanuts and serve in place of| mothers’ milk in feeding children, when neceesary. Deep Interest has been taken in the possibility of this| dehydration, and several . mainland | scientists have been asked to expnrl-‘ ment further and report to the Pan- Pacific Research Tnstitute here, Sale now going on Suits and Ovflr-i coats. Values up to $50, now. $18.95 at the Wonder Clothes 8hop, 826 Main street.—advt, | DIZZY? You need a Laxative | Commerce War Threatened in' Ger- traffic for themselves by reducing the | 700 officers and men of the guard NEW BRITAIN DAILY HERALD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23; 1925. RATES DISTURB SHIPPERS. man Emigrant Service. London, Jan, 28.-~German ship- ping firms have reestablished the German mercantile marine with such Ereat success that they are now re- ported to-be threatening a rate war in the emigrant traffic « to Bouth America, according to London ship- piog circles. The savers .restrictions on immi- gration in the United States have di- verted this traffic, particularly eo far | as eastern. and,southern Europeans are concerned, fo Brazil, Argentina | and Uruguay. BEmigration to these countries amounted in normal times to ‘about 400,000 persons yearly, but | dduble this number is forescen, and | It s sald.that the German.lines are | trying to,corner the whole of the passenger irates. REPULSE FLEET, Honoluly, Jan. 28.—Every mem- ber of the Hawail national guard on Oahu island, where Honolulu is sit- uated, will be called to active serv. ice to assist the Hawallan depart- ment of the army in “repulsing” the American fleet that will theoretically attack the territory during the naval maneuvers next spring, if he chief of the militia bureau in Washington 18 able to appropriate approximately $20,000 for pay and allowances, Colonel Perry M. Smoot, territor- fal' adjutant-general,” has asked Washington for the funds. 1f the request ' 18 granted, approximately will be available. Breath Bad? Stomach Sour? Clean your Bowels BE HERE TOMORROW FOR THE BIGGEST CLOTHING SALE OF THE SEASON! MEN’S and YOUNG MEN OVERCOATS .$18.50 and $23.50 FORMERLY MARKED $25.00 TO $40.00 —REDUCED— TO THE LOWEST POSSIBLE SELLING PRICES FOR QUICK CLEARANCE WE HAVE MARKED THESE MEN'S and YOUNG MEN'S i SUITS 1450 $1850 32350 §i FORMERLY SOLD FROM $20.00 TO $35.00 i l NYSARESED | 357 MAIN ST. 135 MAIN ST, NEW BRITAIN BRISTOL Al Stock Taking Mark Downs Broken size lines odd lots merchandise in stock longer than our rules permit. Reduced 14, 14, 15 And More, From Original Prices No mail or phone orders, exchanges, credits or refunds, Coats Reduced | 45 Fur Trimmed Coats, suede- | like materials. Bolivias in shades of brown, tan and rust., Sealine and Muskrat Opossum | trimmed collar and cuffs, hand-/ somely made: originally $39.95 and $45.00, reduced to $24.75 27 Misses’ Coats, suede-like and pile fabrics, shades tan, brown and black; originally 319.75 and $25.00, reduced to $7.75 5 Marvello and Suedine Coats, tan and brown wolf, Japanese mink and fox, originally $145.00 295.00, reduced to to § $55.00 200 Slips, all colors and all sizes, regular $2.95, now $1.98, now at $1 98 : 85¢ JAY’S 238 Main St. Dresses Reduced 19 Poiret Twill, charmeen and novelty wool Dresses, originally $35.00 to $25.00, reduced to $1500 27 Flannel Dresses, all shades hest quality, originally $14.75, reduced to $8.75 24 Silk Crepe, Crepe Satin and Satinette Dresses, some are up fo $39.00, now $8.75 500 pairs of Hosiery, silk and silk and wool, regular $1.00 and $1.25, now at 75¢ One Lot of Sweaters, regular- Iy from $£6.00 to $7.95, now $2.75 175 Waists, regular price