510 ,.?5' QJorttell Ittittstsitg ffiihrarg ..Q;,r^ . .^ iutCMr0..ftXr . .... HOME USE RULES All Books subject to recall All "borrowers must regis- .... ter in the library to borrow books for home use. All books must be re- turned at end of college year for" inspection and repairs. Limited books must be •■■■ returned within the four f week limit and not renewed. Students must, return all books before leaving town. Officers should arrange for the return of books wanted during their absence from • •■ town. Volumes of periodicals and of pamphlets are held in the library as much as possible, For special pur- poses they are given out far a limited time Borrowers should not use their library privileges for the benefit of other persons. Books of special value and gift books, when the giver wishes it, are not allowed to circulate. Readers are asked to re- port all cases of books marked or mutilated. Do not deface books by marks and writing. Cornell University Library D 570.85.N5A89 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee, Aub 3 1924 027 819 915 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 92402781 991 5 REPORT OF ^z-^^,^ Y^AYOR'S DEFENSE COMMITTEE AUBURN - N. Y. 1917 - 1919 UNIVf#l)V L 11: 1? MO' \'^Z^^S'i TABLE OF CONTENTS Our Honor Rpll 5-p Mayor's Defense Committee : Officers 7 Members 7-8 Executive Council 9 Sub-committees 9-11 Report 12 Introduction 13-18 The Committee 18 The Executive Council 19 The Committee and Tps CpjjNpiL 20-22 Sub-committees 22 Appropriation to the Auburn Men in the 108th Regiment 23-24 Finance Committee 25 The Auburn War Chest 25-26 Care op Service Men and Their Dependents 26-28 Woman's National Service and Woman's Auxiliary 28-29 Military Census 30 Defense and Security Committee 30-32 Military Committee 32-34 Publicity Committee 34 Transportation Committee 35 Hospitals and Hospital Supplies Committee 35-36 Food and War 36 Farm Labor Utility Committee 36-38 City Labor Utility Committee 38-39 Food Production and Conservation Committee 39 Home Garden Committee 40 War Kitchen Committee 40-41 Motor Vehicles and Operators 41 Military Memorial Committee 42 Repoet op the Mayor's Defense Committee Welcome Home Committee 42-43 Special Service Committee 43-44 Community Thanksgiving Service 44 Expense of Administration 44-45 Appropriations and Expenditures Committee .... 45 Treasurer's Report 45-46 Conclusion 46 APPENDIXES Appendix I. Report of the Auburn Relief Committee 47-53 Appendix II. Report of Committee on Defense and Security 53-71 Appendix III. Report of Committee on Publicity 72-73 Appendix IV. Report- of Committee on Food Production and Conservation 73-77 Appendix V. Report of Committee on Home Gardens 77-79 Appendix VI. Report of the War Kitchen Committee 80-81 Appendix VII. Report of Military Memorial Committee 81-85 Appendix VIII. Report of Welcome Home Committee 86-107 Appendix IX. Treasurer's Report 107-111 OUR HONOR ROLL The Men of Auburn and of Cayuga County Who Died in the Service of Their Country in the World War Allen, Lloyd S. Assman, Frederick Autore, Emanuel Babcheck, Michael Baldwin, Benjamin F. Baranski, Zugmunt Barrett, J^mes Braunig, Bernard Beecher, Judson Berlin, Otto Beyea, Willis Bloom, Raymond C. Burch, Elmer Bristol, Homer E. Britton, Charles Brooks, Isaac A. Burke, Thomas Calimerri, Frank Carr, Joseph A. Case, Henry Cerio, Charles L. Chapman, Leslie K. Christiansen, John Churchill, Frank Clark, Clarence Close, Delmar Cool, John N. Cornell, LaRowe Cullen, Frank J. Dailey, Joseph C. Dawson, George Dessor, Alfred Dixon, Frank Douglass, Wm. James Exener, Dewey Fillingham, George Flynn, James Foltz, Leroy B. Frazier, Jesse Frisbie, Earl Getman, James E. Glass, Carl Grady, Joseph Graham, Birchmans Greenleaf , Mott Gunger, Lawrence Hall, Glenn A. Hahley, Joseph P. Hawley, Wilfred Hearn, Charles Herbert, Richard Herrick, Leland Hewson, William Hicks, Claude R. Hiserodt, John Hopper, Louis Howell, John Hubert, George D. Irish, Eugene IngersoU, George Jashanski, Floyd J. Johnston, Joseph Joslyn, Thomas Kendall, Spencer Kilmer, Leland LaBuflf, Jay Report op Mayor's Defense Committee Leone, Antonio LeFever, Daniel Maloney, Paul Manley, Edward Mansfield, John Marr, Edward Joseph Martino, John Meade, Clyde S. Meyer, Carl Meyer, Valentine Mitchell, William Morgan, John Murray, John McAndrews, Frank McGrain, Edward Norris, Hubert C. O'Byrne, Patrick O'Connor, James T. O'Connor, Timothy Palmer, George Pease, Edward Peleuse, George Peters, Donald Quinby, Herndon Quinn, Frank Raesler, Myron Ramsay, Roger Reister, Benjamin F. Rice, ]ifyn4prse W. IJoberts, Merle Rowe, Walter Rooney, Joseph Roto, Charles Ryan, Timothy , Santino, Antonio Savage, James H. Secaur, John B. Siampianto, Antonio Simon, Morris Smith, Jesse E. Stone, Howard D. Stanek, Stanley St. Croix, Mather De Sullivan, Frank W. Sullivan, Dennis A. Thornton, Howard J. Tincknell, George H., Tipping, Alfred Toole, James J. Tripp, Harry Walker, Kenneth K. Ward, William H. Weaver, Elmer Welch, Harry Wright, Raymond C. Wall, Harry Welch, Harry Vincent Yendrick, Stephen MAYOR'S DEFENSE COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF AUBURN a OFFICERS His Honor, The Mayor, Mark I. Koon, General William H. Seward, Honorary Chairman, Rev. Dr. George B. Stewart, Chairman, Hon. Charles F. Rattigan, 1st Vice Chairman, Hon. Charles W. Brister, 2nd Vice Chairman, John M. Shetland, 3rd Vice Chairman, Rev. Dr. Robert Hastings Nichols, Secretary, Thomas H. Garrett, Jr., Treasurer, Sidney J. Aubin, Office Secretary and Assistant Treasurer. W. W. Abbott Arthur E. Adams Charles G. Adams Henry M. Allen Clarence F. Baldwin Wilbur B. Barnes William C. Bell T. Edward Bond Rev. Ralph Bray Jesse D. Brooks Gerald Boardman James C. Carroll Harry V. Clements Henry L. Coleman Dr. M. P. Conway William 0. Dapping Charles J. Def endorf Thomas F. Dignum William L. Duckett David M. Dunning MEMBERS J. Walter Ackerman Gorton W. Allen .Courtney C. Avery Alfred E. Ballih Walter H. Beck George W. Benham John J. Breslin John M. Brainard Dr. Arthur H. Brown Henry R. Claudius Willard E. Case Delamer E. Clapp Dr. Howard I. Davenport James F. Dennis William H. Depew Rev. Allen Macy Dulles Hon. Richard C. S. Drummond 8 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee Frank A. Eldredge Fred L. Emerson John H. Farrell Charles L. Fetterly James H. Foster Herbert J. Fowler James J. Geherin Michael Graney Hon. Hull Greenfield Joseph S. Hanlon Patrick M. Herron Rev. John J. Hickey Samuel E. Hillger Miles S. Irish Frank S. Jacques Col. Edgar S. Jennings Julius Kraft Frank J. Lattimore Dr. Thomas F. Laurie Lewis F. Leonard Howard J. Lindsley Charles A. McCarthy Charles H. Manro Howard R. Merritt Harold G. Metcalf Rev. Peter Moia Herbert A. Morgan Hon. Edgar S. Mosher George W. Nellis Rev. Crandall J. North H. Dutton Noble, Jr. Hon. T. H. O'Neill Dr. Louis F. O'Neill Charles D. Osborne R. W. Palmer George C. Pearson LeRoy Phelps Merritt B. Eldredge Frederick M. Everett D. Edwin French Edwin R. Fay Claire D. Forman Rev. G. Giordano Merritt D. Greene Rev. Norton T. Houser William J. Henry Henry D. Hervey Gregg W. Irwin Edward J. Jewhurst Harry R. Kidney Anton J. Lauer Robert D. Lanehart George H. Leonard Charles F. Lyon John F. McGrath Charles G. Meaker Edwin F. Metcalf Frederick A. Mohr Charles P. Mosher D. Elmer Munro Albert H. Nichols Henry D. Noble Hon. Thomas M. Osborne Antonio Oropallo William K. Payne Col. Frederick T. Peet Patrick T. Quigley Members Mayor's Defense Committee 9 John H. Rahrlie Justice Adelbert P. Rich Thomas S. Richardson Herbert J. Robinson Edgar A. Rose Daniel L. Ramsey Leonard H. Searing George W. Severson Frank A. Skilton Charles W. Storke Frank E. Swift John Taber Maurice C- Tetley Henry Traub, Jr. Carl C. Tallman Rev. Harry L. Reed Rev. Charles G. Richards Rev. James S. Riggs William P. Robinson Lyman H. Rust Dr. Frederick Sefton William H. Seward, Jr. Arthur D. Smith Alan D. Stout Rev. Stanislaus J. Szupa John D. Teller Edward H. Thomson Hon. George B. Turner Hon. George Underwood John Van Sickle David Wadsworth Thomas M. Walker Cicero J. Warne Edmund C. Weatherby Charles T. Whelan Elbert C. Wixom Hon. Walter E. Woodin J. Hermon Woodruff Arthur Z. Wright James A. Wilson J. Reynolds Wait J. Arthur Walsh Roy A. Weld Fred H. Wiggins Fred B. Wills Leslie E. Wooddock Dr. Edwin G. Woodruff William H. Woodruff Charles A. Wright Douglass Woodruff EXECUTIVE COUNCIL His Honor The Mayor, William H. Seward, George B, Stewart, Charles W. Brister, Charles F. Rattigan, John M. Shetland, Robert Hastings Nichols, Thomas H. Garrett, Sidney J. Aubin, Gorton W. Allen, Gerald Boardman, Arthur H. Brown, John Van Sickle, Samuel E. Hillger, Richard C. S. Drummond, James A. Wil- son, M. P .Conway, Leslie Woodcock, D. Elmer Munro, Charles W. Storke, E. C. Weatherby, J. Reynolds Wait, Edwin F. Metcalf, William H. Seward, Jr., William C. Bell. SUB-COMMITTEES Finance : Gorton W. Allen, Chairman ; D. Edwin French, Thomas F. Dignum, Charles A. McCarthy. Care op Service Men and their Dependents: Gerald Board- man, Chairman; Arthur E. Adams, Mrs. Gorton W. Allen, Mrs. H. Dutton Noble, Jr. 10 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee Medical Care: Arthur H. Brown, M.D., Chairman; Louis F. O'Neill, M.D. Legal Advice: John VanSickle, Chairman; H. Button Noble, Jr., John Taber. Relief: George B. Stewart, Chairman; Gerald Boardman, Arthur E. Adams, Mrs. Gorton W. Allen, Mrs. H. Button Noble, Jr., Br. Arthur H. Brown, Br. Louis F. O'Neill, John VanSickle, H. Button Noble, Jr., John Taber, Mrs. Arthur Titus, Mrs. P. T. Quigley, Mrs. Morton Oltz, Miss Pauline Titus, Miss Margaret Browli, Mrs. Howard E. Ensor. Military Census: Cicero J. Warne, Chairman for the County; Joseph S. Hanlon, Chairman for the City, and many others. Befense and Security : Samuel E. Hillger, Chairman, John Van- Sickle, Charles A. Wright, Edward Guilfoil, J. Reynolds Wait, Alan Stout, Harry Lathrop Reed, Thomas F. Laurie. Military: Charles W. Brister, Chairman; Gregg W. Irwin, John F. McGrath, M. P. Conway, Gorton W. Allen, Crandall J. North. Publicity : Richard C. S. Brummond, Chairman ; William 0. Bap- ping, Howard R. Merritt. Transportation: James A. Wilson, Chairman; and others. Hospitals and Hospital Supplies : Br. M. P. Conway, Chairman ; and others. Farm Labor Utility: Leslie Woodcock, and subsequently, B. Elmer Munro, Chairman; Charles G. Adams, Frank S. Jacques, William H. Bepew, Fred H. Wiggins, Charles W. Storke, Elmer N. Ross, Frank E. Swift, Henry B. Hervey. City Labor Utility : Charles W. Storke, Chairman ; Fred W. Jones, Charles L. Fetteriey, A, E. Ballin, Harold G. Metcalf, Boug- lass Woodruff, George Severson, LeRoy Phelps. Food Production and Conservation: E. C. Weatherby, Chair- man : Miss Mary C. Bowen and others. War Garden: E. C. Weatherby and subsequently, J. Reynolds Wait, Chairman ; John Macintosh, C. A. Clark, S. L. Bepew, Mrs. Bavid Wadsworth, Jr., John VanSickle, Leslie Wood- cock, J. A. Hunter, Henry B. Hervey, E. J. Flynn. War Kitchen : Edwin F. Metcalf, Chairman ; Courtaiey C. Avery, Mrs. Lawrence R. Boden, Mrs. Albert H. Hamilton, Miss Louise Montgomery, Miss Mary C. Bowen. Motor Vehicles and Operators: Br. Arthur H. Brown, Chair- man ; and others. Sub-Committees 11 Military Memorial: George B. Stewart, Chairman; Samuel E. Hillger, John VanSickle, William H. Seward, Jr., Thomas H. O'Neill, William K. Payne, Miles Irish, Harold G. Metcalf, Julius Kraft. Welcome Home: John M, Shetland, Chairman; Richard C. S. Drummond, Sidney J. Aubin, William O. Dapping, John F. McGrath, Howard R. Merritt, Howard J. Lindsley, John J. Breslin, P. T. Quigley, Elliott F. Baldwin, Charles W. Storke, Henry R. Claudius, Harry R. Kidney, William C. Bell, Edgar S. Mosher, Arthur D. Smith, Carl C. Tallman, Samuel E. Hillger; and representing the County, J. Guernsey Allen, Summerhill ; Sanf o^d G. Lyon, Aurora, George W. Benham, Auburn. Special Service : William C. Bell, Chairman ; and others. Appropriations and Expenditures : William H. Seward, Jr., Chair- man; Clarence F. Baldwin, George B. Stewart, Gorton W. Allen, Thomas H. Garrett, Jr. REPORT OF THE MAYOR'S DEFENSE COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF AUBURN To His Honor, The Mayor of The City of Auburn, Mark I. Koon, and to The Citizens of Auburn, N. Y. On March 2, 1917, the Auburn Advertiser-Journal and the Auburn Citizen contained the following communication : "AMERICANS SPEAK OUT" "Our country is facing probably the gravest crisis in its history. Many patriotic Americans , have been keeping quiet, because of a desire not to hamper the government, and also because of lack of opportunity to express their minds. Those who want the country to follow a policy of cowardice and submission have been and are pressing their views noisily. The result we now see in a Congress divided and irresolute before na- tional danger. "Meanwhile our citizens traveling peaceably on the high seas are murdered, our ships are barred from lawful voyages, our flag is shut up in port, by order of Germany. Our rights are trampled upon, and our commercial life is suffering. More than this we are suffering grevious moral loss. A nation that surrenders to tyranical injustice cannot count for justice in the world. "It is time for patriotic citizens to say what we think and make it known in Washington. "All who believe that American lives and interests ought to be protected and American rights upheld by all lawful means, in- cluding war if that be necessary, and who will support our govern- ment in a policy of this kind, are urged to do one of two things at once ; either to write personal letters to the President and Congress- man Gould, and other Congressmen, or to send their names to Robert H. Nichols, Secretary, 7 Grover Street, Auburn, New York. The names sent in will be communicated to the President and Mem- bers of Congress, as those of citizens who hold the views above stated. George B. Stewart, Harry L. Reed, Charles W. Brister, Adelbert P. Rich, Allen Macy Dulles, George B. Turner, Robert H. Nichols, George Underwood, John Van Sickle." 12 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 13 This communication was the outcome of informal conferences by the gentlemen who signed it, which conferences covered several weeks preceding the publication of the above statement. They were fully persuaded that something should be done in a public way to reveal the patriotic sentiment in the city and to give such support to our Government as we might be able in the critical sit- uation in which it was placed by the offensive and unwarranted conduct of the Imperial German Government and its representa- tives in this country. After waiting for what to them appeared a long time for someone to initiate a public movement to this end, they felt impelled to issue the above call to their fellow-citizens. They were not surprised by the instant response which it awakened. The following persons, most of them citizens of Auburn, voluntar- ily and without solicitation, wrote Dr. Nichols, endorsing the posi- tion taken in the statement: Rev. Prof. Arthur S. Hoyt, D.D., Sheldon R. Voorhees, M.D., Rev. John Quincy Adams, D.D., Warrington J. Somers, J. B. Stupp, Elmer B. Irish, Harry V. Clements, Wm. Chauncey Gates, Fred- erick B. Wills, Samuel E. Hillger, Herbert G. Robinson, Wm. B, Hills, Wm. B. Ewell, Thomas F. Laurie, M. D., Richard C. S. Drum- mond, L. L. Rea, Charles P. Mosher, William B. Barnes, S. M. Eddy, Alexander Brown, Samuel Hopkins Adams, Charles G. Barrett, Fred J. Crocker, F. G. Kimberley, A. F. Hodgman, M.D., A. E. Adams, Royal K. Eaton, Byron W. Hutchinson, Otis Strong, Fred- erick T. Peet, Arthur P. Hemans, F. A. Skilton, Rev. Harris B. Stewart, Rev. Frank W. Moore, J. T. Drake, Dr. A. J. Tuxill, Frank Collins, C. F. Baldwin, E. E. Cadwallader, E. L. Dare, Rev. C. G. Richards, D. D., Henry D. Hervey, Nelson Eldred, Jr., Rev. Her- bert A. Youtz, Arthur Adams, Jr., Frederick S. Parker, H. W. Hodder, Fred E. Giles, Wm. Whyte, M. A. Giles, Frank A. Bates, E. D. CuUen, Thomas J. Harvey, Wm. J. C. Pengelly, Wm. Hayden, Edward W. Hodgson, Howard H. Clack, W. S. Curtis, T. S. Rich- ardson, J. Henry Hall, J. A. Kilburn, E. J. Hunt, A. P. Rinehart, Harry Hodge, S. H. Knox, W. H. Crifield, W. P. Hall, F. Radcliffe, H. D. Tutton, J. Hare Henry Quicknell, Albert H. S. Jones, Luigi Peluso, George F. Giles, Charles B. Rice, H. Douglas Johnson, F. W. BrowTi, Fred E. Beck,, Charles G. Walker, C. R. Outlaw, Wil- liam B. Barnhart, T. W. Beebe, George B. Wittman, Benjamin P. Cogswell, Rob Roy McCully, M. D., Harris W. Bradshaw, Fred W. Workman, Edward H. Follett, James Dennis, James M. V. Bennett, George H. Beers, P. T. Quigley, David Wills, George Selover, J. Arthur Strain, Mrs. George H. Beers, Mrs. Charles W. Hughitt, Alice C. Follett, Josephine Follett, Carrie E. Follett, Mrs. Grace S. Raines, Mrs. R. R. McCully, Elizabeth Porter Clarke, Mildred Cochran, Mabel Rinehart, Kittie M. VanArsdale, Mrs. M. E. Hall, Mrs. F. Radcliflfe, Mrs. A. E. Adams, Carrie E. Downer, Mrs. E. L. Dare, Mrs. J. T. Drake, Mrs. Otis Strong, Mrs. W. S. Cheesman, Mrs. A. F. Hodgman, Mrs. John Van Sickle, Janet Van Sickle, Mrs. R. H. Nichols, Mrs. Frank W. Moore, Mrs. C. F. Baldwin. M. H. 14 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee Oakes, Binghamton, N. Y., George Emmons, Port Byron, N. Y., C. Walter Gibbs, Weedsport, N. Y., James B. Hitchcock, Scipioville, N. Y., Rev. E. Lloyd Jones, Meridian, N. Y., Adah Cook, Sennett, N. Y., Mrs. W. F. Newcomer, Boston, Mass., Patrick J. Mohan, Dannemora, N. Y. Others wrote directly to the President or to our representatives in the Senate and the Congress. This communication with the above names attached was sent to the President of the United States, to the two United States Senators from New York, to the Representative of this District in the Congress, all of whom suitably acknowledged the receipt of it. The public agitation thus inaugurated continued. Frequent conferences of the gentlemen who were the original signers of the paper and of others were held, at which the growing seriousness of the affairs of the country was discussed and our duty in view of it. On March 26th, in the office of George Underwood, there gath- ered Hon. Mark I. Koon, Gorton W. Allen, Charles W. Brister, Richard C. S. Drummond, Allen Macy Dulles, Samuel E. Hillger, Edgar S. Jennings, Robert H. Nichols, George Underwood, George B. Stewart, John Van Sickle. On motion of Mr. Allen, President Stewart was unanimously elected chairman of the meeting and of any organization that might grow out of it. Professor Nichols was chosen secretary. It was decided that the Mayor should call a pub- lic meeting for Friday evening, March 30th, that Mr. Allen should be a committee to obtain the Auditorium for that night, that Messrs. Drummond, Nichols and Van Sickle should be a committee to ar- range a program, that Messrs. Underwood, Brister and Dulles should be a committee to prepare resolutions to be presented for adoption by the meeting, and that the Mayor appoint a committee of Defense to be announced at that time. Subsequent meetings were held in the Mayor's office in the City Hall on March 27th, 28th, and 30th, at which the details for the Patriotic meeting were arranged and the Mayor announced his choice of members of the Defense Committee, so that when the time arrived for the assembling of our citizens, everything was in read- iness for the occasion. On Tuesday, March 27th, the Mayor issued the following proclamation : "To the CITIZENS OF AUBURN: "A crisis in our National affairs has been reached. A power- ful nation engaged in war, but with which we have been nominally at peace has ruthlessly and wantonly in disregard of international law, of treaties with us, and of the ordinary principles of humanity, destroyed our ships lawfully employed in commerce on the high Report op Mayor's Defense Committee 15 seas, and has outraged and murdered our citizens, even our women and children. These barbarous wrongs have been deliberately committed. They have been threatened in advance and both justi- fied and boasted of afterwards. This nation has without right or even formal declaration, subjected us to war, and we are now, without seeking and against our will, in a state of war with a desperate enemy. "The facts cannot be ignored or evaded any longer. Our national honor has been assailed. Our own wrongs, with those of others justly entitled to our sympathy and support as victims of the same reckless military power, call for redress. Our national safety is in peril not only from without, but as we have come pain- fully to understand, from the supporters of this same enemy over- seas who are within our midst. We must take measures for de- fense. "The Government at Washington, our President and the Con- gress should be informed of the patriotic support which this patri- otic community proclaims for the measures already taken for the defense of the nation; and we should by appropriate action urge our public officials in nation and state to proceed forthwith to sup- plement the provisions now being made by further measures, im- mediately to "be undertaken, and vigorously to be pressed for the assertion of our rights and in defense of our liberties and honor. "Let us face the fact that we are at war, and declare ourselves like men, before further humiliation or disaster overtake us. Let us urge our government to prompt and patriotic action. "This community has never lagged behind when the nation called. The spirit of our fathers still lives. Let us stand at the front again, not shrinking but unafraid, and let our voice be heard and our deeds be shown. "I call upon the patriotic citizens of this community to as- semble in mass meeting at the Auditorium on Friday evening, March 30, at 8 o'clock, to express our loyalty and to take appropri- ate, effective and single-minded action in our defense, and in sup- port of our Government in this time of peril. The honor of the city demands, our country calls, and the cause of justice and rights eousness stands forth to consecrate our undertaking. MARK L KOON, Mayor of the City of Auburn." On Friday evening, March 30th, before the hour appointed the Burtis Auditorium on Garden Street was filled by an audience of four thousand of our citizens, who showed by their presence and in other ways their keen sense of the seriousness of the situa- tion and their intense patriotic purpose to support the Government 16 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee in a vigorous conduct of the war, into which we were about to en- ter. There was no division of opinion as to the duty of the Govern- ment at Washington or the duty of this community in the public crisis. War was the only door open before the Nation, and before us was the immediate obligation to mobilize all of our human and other resources for the protection of our local interests and for the most effective support of the federal and state governments. The music was furnished by the Third Regiment Band and by the Knights of Pythias Fife and Drum Corps, which also led the singing by the audience. His Honor, Mayor Mark I. Koon, pre- sided and prayer was offered by Rev. Laurence N. Sirrell, D. D., pastor of the First Baptist Church. The audience sang America, after which the Mayor stated the object of the meeting and intro- duced Rev. George B. Stewart, D. D., President of the Theological Seminary, as the Presiding Officer of the evening. General William H. Seward, being upon the platform was presented to the audience which stood to receive him. He gave expression to his well-known patriotic sentiments in a few sentences, all that the condition of his health at the time permitted him to make. Hon. Richard C. S. Drummond, City Attorney, and Hon. Rob- ert F. Thompson, Canandaigua, a Justice of the Supreme Court, made addresses of great power, which aroused the people to a fine point of enthusiasm. The meeting closed with the singing of The Star Spangled Banner. Before the national anthem was sung, the following resolutions were presented by the Hon. George Under- wood, which were adopted by a rising vote : "Whereas, our Government, in severing diplomatic relations with Germany, gave notice that if the illegal submarine attacks, which Germany was threatening to make upon our ships, should in fact be made, necessary steps to resist such attacks would be taken, and "Whereas, many such attacks have since been made resulting in the sinking of the Algonquin, the City of Memphis, the Illinois, the Vigilancia, the Healdton, and other vessels, with the resultant loss of many American lives ; and "Whereas, besides murdering our citizens, restricting our com- merce by illegal submarine warfare, and destroying our ships, the German Government has attempted to array against us, the friend- ly powers of Japan and Mexico in a plot to dismember our nation ; and "Whereas, by these and other hostile acts, Germany is now virtually making war against the United States ; and "Whereas, we believe, with President Monroe, that 'we must support our rights or lose our character, and with it our liberties ' now therefore be it ' Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 17 "RESOLVED, by citizens of Auburn, New York, in public meeting assembled — "1. That we approve the action of the President in severing diplomatic relations with Germany, in deciding to arm American vessels, and in calling Congress in Special Session. "2. That we declare our deep conviction that the principles of National coilduct governing Germany's actions in the present war are inconsistent with the principles of Democracy and with the purposes and aspirations of this Republic ; and we hold that the time has now come when it is the duty of this nation to take part in the common task of defending civilization and human liberty against Gerniany's military aggression. "3. That we call upon Congress, when assembled, to declare, that by the acts of Germany, a state of war does now exist between that country and the United States. "4. That we look to our Government for prompt, vigorous and courageous leadership for the effective protection of American rights in this crisis. "5. That we urge the immediate enactment of a Universal Military Training Law, providing for a national defense based on the duty of every able bodied citizen to share in the protection of our country and in the maintenance of its high ideals. "6. That we publically affirm our loyalty and pledge our sup- port to the President of the United States, the constitutional leader of the nation ; and that we hold ourselves ready to respond to our National and State Governments for such services as may be re- quired of us, in the defense of our country and the enforcement of the rights of its citizens ; and further — "RESOLVED, That a copy of these resolutions shall be sent to the President of the United States, to the Governor of this State, to the Senators from the State of New York, and to our Representa- tives in Congress." These resolutions were forwarded to the President of the United States, the Senators of New York State, the Reprfesenta- tives in t he Congress of this District, and to the Governor of the State, and their receipt was duly acknowledged by all of these officials. While this report deals with matters directly related to the Mayor's Defense Committee, yet it ought to be stated here that many other individuals and organizations were active and influ- ential in the same spirit and to the same ends both before and after the Auditorium meeting. This bomraittee by no means exhausted the patriotic fervor or labors of our citizens. Indeed, the work done by this committee was but a small fraction in amount and 18 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee effectiveness of similar work by hundreds and thousands of others. Our daily papers, our religious and fraternal organizations, our schools, our Chamber of Commerce, and our citizens almost with- out exception, were animated by a fine spirit of patriotism, by a determination to support the Government, and by a willingness to make sacrifices without measure. While we can only record our own work, we wish to bear un- reserved testimony to the co-operation we received from these others not on our committee, without which our work would have been futile. THE COMMITTEE. At the Auditorium meeting the Mayor read the names of the citizens whom he had chosen for the Mayor's Defense Committee, and which he had previously given to the daily papers, and pursu- ant to his request these gentlemen assembled on the Auditorium stage immediately after the public meeting with His Honor in the Chair. A committee on organization and nominations was appoint- ed, with the Hon. Richard C. S. Drummond, chairman. On recom- mendation of this committee, George B. Stewart was chosen chair- man and Robert Hastings Nichols secretary of the committee. The Committee then adjourned for further action in the matter of or- ganization to April 4th, at the State Armory. The next meeting of the committee^ was held in the mess hall of the Armory on April 4, pursuant to adjournment. On recom- mendation of the committee on organization and nominations, the Hon. William H. Seward was chosen Honorary Chairman, Charles F. Rattigan, First Vice Chairman, Charles W. Brister, Second Vice Chairman, John M. Shetland, Third Vice Chairman. On recommendation of the same committee it was decided to have a number of sub-committees, the chairmen of which together with the officers of the Committee should constitute an Executive Council; the Executive Council was given power to act for the Committee ad interim; the Chairman was authorized to appoint the sub-committees, to form additional sub-committees, to call meet- ings of the committee or of sub-committees or of Council ; all local organizations were requested to co-operate with the Committee for patriotic purposes; an offer from the Uniformed Maccabees Rifle Club of its services was thankfully received ; the sub-committee on Finance was authorized to prepare a budget of the financial needs of the Committee and to appeal to the citizens of Auburn for contribu- tions in cash or monthly payments to meet these needs ; the cordial cooperation of the Committee was offered to the County Defense Committee for whose appointment the Governor of the State had just The Executive Council 19 provided ; the unanimous and hearty approval of the action of the President of the United States in recommending to the Congress a Declaration of War with Germany was given and the loyal and full support of the citizens of Auburn was pledged to him and to the Congress in the vigorous prosecution of the war. The constitution of the Mayor's Defense Committee as finally completed after some revision by him precedes this report. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. The first^neeting of the Executive Council was held April 18, 1917. Thomas H. Garrett, Jr., was elected Treasurer and Office Secretary, which position, Mr. Garrett generously consented to fill without compensation. In June, as Mr. Garrett had in the same patriotic and generous spirit consented to serve as Federal Fuel Administrator, Mr. Sidney J. Aubin was appointed Office Secre- tary, and subsequently was chosen also as Assistant Treasurer, at a merely nominal compensation. Both of these gentlemen have ren- dered faithful service and have been invaluable to the committee as executive officers. The Masons at this meeting offered the free use of certain rooms in their office building on South Street, and the offer was gratefully accepted, as were similar offers of furniture from Mr. Garrett, G. W. Richardson and Son, H. R. Wait and Co., and others. As the work grew in volume it was necessary to move to other and larger rooms in the Masonic Building, which were assigned to us on the same generous terms. The headquarters of the Committee have continued until the present in this building, and we are under many obligations to the Masonic bodies for their patriotic treatment. We are also grateful to those who enabled us to equip our three office rooms at a trifling expense to the committee. At this same meeting the Chairman announced the personnel of the sub-committees authorized by the Committee. Later, other sub-committees were added, and members were added to the exist- ing committees. A list of the sub-committees is presented herewith and is a part of this Report. , On recommendation of the Chairman, the following plan for managing the finances of the Committee was adopted : There shall be a finance committee and a committee on appro- priations and expenditures ; the former is to have charge of raising the necessary funds, and the latter is to supervise expenditures ; the approval of the latter must be obtained in advance by officers and chairmen of sub-committees for all expenditures contemplated by them, which approval is to be given only when and as the funds in 20 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee the treasury warrant the same ; the Treasurer is to honor requisi- tions of the officers and chairmen when within the amounts ap- proved by the Appropriations and Expenditures Committee. THE COMMITTEE AND THE COUNCIL. The Mayor's Committee has held eight meetings, most of them in the Court House, with an average attendance of forty-five, and the Executive Council has held twenty-one meetings. Much of the business of these meetings was of a transitory character, whose importance, often considerable, was due to the circumstances of the time, and without that setting would seem unintelligible or insig- nificant. Therefore, this Report may properly pass over most of the discussions and work of the Committee and Council and confine itself to a few matters by way of illustrating the varied and multi- tudinous activities of the Committee as a whole and of the Council. Offers of assistance and co-operation were received from many of the fraternal organizations, churches, business concerns and allied business groups. Civil and Spanish War Veterans, Women's Organizations, Y. M. C. A., Boy Scouts, City Departments, and in- dividuals. Most of these groups and individuals rendered the com- mittee valuable service from time to time and the committee in its turn was able in various ways to further their patriotic purposes and labors. The Committee was in constant touch with the County Defense Committee, occupying the same Headquarters and working with it in the closest co-operation to the mutual advantage of both committees. The same has been true of the Food Administrator's Office. While Mr. Wyckoff Hoxie, the Federal Food Administrator was a county officer and was officially connected with the County Defense Committee, yet so large a part of his work was in the city that he was necessarily brought into relations with this committee. We take this occasion to express our appreciation and our sense of the indebtedness of our citizens to him for his gratuitous and effi- cient administration of his office. By his prudent and sensible dis- charge of his delicate and burdensome duties, he carried the city through a most trying period without serious inconvenience to our citizens and without injury to any interest. In a less degree, we were associated with the Federal Fuel Administrator, Mr. Thomas H. Garrett, Jr., who because of his large experience in the coal business and his unimpeachable probity was exceptionally well qualified for the duties of an office so essential to local business and individual interests and also to national welfare. Without compensation and zealously, he made ^11 the nice adjust- ments required between the conflicting interests of producer, dealer, consumer, so that all were justly cared for and all serious suffering in the city and county from coal shortage was avoided. The city The Committee and the Council 21 should not cease to be grateful to Mr. Garrett for his valuable serv- ices through many months in managing a perilous situation. The Committee so far as was needed co-operated with the Y. M. C. A., thte Cayuga County Chapter of the Red Cross, the Liberty Loan Committee, the War Savings Stamp Agent, in their drives for money, the first two before the Auburn War Chest was organized and the last two throughout the whole period. The Committee took up the matter of providing life insurance for our own men before the Government entered the field and had partially workd out a plan when the Government proposed its scheme, which properly terminated our efforts in this direction. We gave much attention to the matter of road building, both from the point of view of the conservation of labor at a time when labor was needed for "essential" industries, and from that of better facilities for transportation when motor transportion became an essential part of our facilities for moving crops and goods. We worked with City, County and State officials and with the County and State Motor Transportation Committees toward the solution of a number of highway and transportation problems. The guarding of State and municipal property, in the city and vicinity, the inventory of arms and ammunition, the registry of concerns and persons owning or carrying arms, the assembling and safe-guarding of dynamite and other high explosives, these and other similar matters, while more particularly the responsibility of those municipal officials to whose office they belonged, yet received careful attention from the Committee and much time and service was given to them. Various plans and efforts for food production and conservation were issued from Washington and from Albany and received the attention of our respective sub-committees, as also much thoughtful attention from this Committee and Council. By advice and effort, we were able to serve in a substantial way the "Million-acre wheat" campaign, the "agriculture survey and inventory," War Garden and War Kitchen promotion in the villages of the county, the use of prisoners for work upon our farms, and various other undertakings of this sort, handled also by our sub-committees or not coming to their attention. This Committee and Council also actively assisted in many cel- ebrations in the city and county, such as, an Americanization Day, July 4, 1918, at Lakeside Park ; a British Day with a public meeting in the evening in the High School Auditorium; a Lafayette and Battle of the Marne Day with a public meeting in the High School Auditorium; and other public gatherings in the interest of Amer- icanization. We adopted the plan of promoting visits by our officers, mem- bers and other citizens at their own charges, to Fort Niagara where 22 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee our Company M was encamped for several months, to the Officers' Training Camps at Cape Vincent and Plattsburg, where there were a number of Auburn men in training, thus evidencing to the men, our interest in them and at the same time enabling us to know of their condition. Our citizens needed no exhortation to minister to the comfort and well being of our men in school. Camp, Cantonment, or on the Seas, but they constantly needed suggestion and assistance in their work of love and mercy. This was true of individuals and organizations, and we were always ready to guide their efforts and to re-enforce them. Many women's Circles, Auxiliaries, Societies, were active in these noble enterprises to a commendable degree and sought our help. We, and all public interests, owe an immeasurable debt to our patriotic women who worked without ceasing. When Company M and the Supply Company were transferred from Fort Niagara to Camp Gorton W. Allen at the foot of Owasco Lake, the Camp bearing the name of our intensely patriotic citizen, and again when they were transferred to Camp Whitman, their passage through our city was made the occasion by our Committee to minister to their physical wants by giving them luncheons, and while they were at the Lake we busied ourselves with attention to their needs and comforts. There were times when the matter of service flags occupied a good share of public attention, when a roster of service men dis- played in a prominent public place was much discussed, when other interesting and fitting things were brought to the attention of the the Committee or of the Council. These always received full and sympathetic consideration, even when we were constrained to re- frain from endorsement or from active co-operation in such move- ments. This recital of a few of the many matters attended to by the Committee or Council directly might be indefinitely extended, but enough has been told to show that we have not been altogether idle or inattentive to our appointed task. SUB-COMMITTEES. With the organization of the sub-committees and their en- trance upon their duties there were comparatively few reasons for calling together the whole committee or even the Council. As every member of the Committee was a busy man it was desirable that we should make as few demands upon his time as the requirements of the work permitted, and this was accomplished through our efficient committee organization. The major portion of the work could be done by the sub-committees and was done by them in a thoroughly satisfactory way. It required in many cases, much Appropriation to Auburn Men in 108th Regiment 23 time, judgment, ability and was always performed ungrudgingly and with enthusiasm. Never in a single instance did your Chair- man ask of any member of this Commitee the performance of any task, and meet with a refusal, but on the contrary, no matter how unpleasant or onerous the duty, he met in every instance with a a cordial and affirmative response. Every man on the Committee had a mind to work and to work to the limit. This was a most re- markable case of unanimous purpose and undivided counsels and unfaltering endeavor. For thirty-three months this Committee has maintained this record, a record to be proud of and rejoiced in. APPROPRIATION TO THE AUBURN MEN IN THE 108TH REGIMENT. Auburn has always had a just pride in her representatives in the National Guard. Therefore, when Company M and the Supply Company and Band of the 3rd Regiment of the N. Y. N. G. were mobilized for the federal service as the 108th Regiment, the first contingent to be thus mobilized, they carried the heart of Auburn with them. Nothing was too good for them. The regret was that more could not be done. The first appropriation, which was made by the Executive Council at its first meeting, before there were any funds in the treasury, was a thousand dollars to be given to Col. Edgar S. Jennings, commander of the Third Regiment, to be used for the benefit of the Auburn men in his command. No act could more fittingly head the activities of the Council and no money appropriated for any purpose by it could more ade- quately express the profound emotions of our people at the time. There was a full realization that these men were not entering upon some holiday performance, but were going upon a great and peril- ous adventure in the defense of our own and our Nation's ideals and life. We knew they were the advance guard of hundreds of other brave men who would have to follow them in the same hazard- ous and toilsome undertaking. We must show them in some man- ner, inadequate though it must necessarily be, that we honored them, were deeply grateful to them, and were ready to do our utmost for their comfort and well-being. Thus would we cheer them, thus would others be encouraged to show like bravery and devotion, thus would we give proof that we were not unmindful of our indebtedness to them. 24 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee The following is Col. Jennings' report, recently made. His administration of this fund must win the cordial approval of all. "HEADQUARTERS "FOURTH BRIGADE, NEW YORK GUARD "451 Main Street "Telephone, Seneca 1362 "Buffalo, N. Y. "24 July, 1919. "Dr. George B. Stewart, Chairman, Mayor's Defense Committee, Auburn, N. Y. "My dear Dr. Stewart : "In reply to your favor of the 22nd inst. with regard to the thousand dollars turned over to me by the Mayor's Defense Com- mittee, for the benefit of the Auburn men of the 3rd Regiment at the time we entered the Federal Service in 1917, I beg to state that this money was divided pro rata, and turned over to the different company commanders of the Regiment. Company M received the largest share, with the Supply Company second. "The money was used as a part of the Company funds of each unit; and, undoubtedly, brought comforts and little luxuries to the men, which otherwise could not be provided them. Company M, I believe, used a part of their funds for the buying of wooden crosses, suitably marked, for their dead. "The Mayor's Defense Committee can well feel that this gift to the soldiers, was most acceptable at the time given ; and it was expended in such a way that its benefits went, not only to the Au- burn men, but to help others in the Regiment. "I take this opportunity to express my keen appreciation for the splendid work your Committee has done during the war along true, patriotic lines. "Yours very respectfully, E. S. JENNINGS." The Aububn War Chest 25 FINANCE COMMITTEE. This committee consisted of Gorton W. Allen, Chairman, D. Edwin French, Thomas F. Dignum, Charles A. McCarthy. The first duty of the committee was to obtain funds, and as there were soldiers' dependents already needing assistance at the time of its appointment, this duty had to be attended to at once. Many in- dividuals came forward with voluntary subscriptions, some of which were in the form of checks and some as monthly payments. Various groups, such as, the Brewers, Druggists, Hardware men. Insurance men. Bankers, manufacturing firms, retail merchants and others combined their subscriptions and paid them as units into the treasury.. By October, 1917, the committee had enough funds in the treasury to meet all current demands and therefore notified the several subscribers that they need not meet their monthly pledges until further notice. In January, 1918, the Auburn War Chest undertook to finance the Mayor's Defense Committee and therefore from that time there was no further work for the Finance Com- mittee. This committee secured subscriptions for one year to the amount of $14,759 from 172 subscribers. Sixteen subscribers paid nothing, and the others paid prior to October 1, 1917, $7,161.78. The vigor and enthusiasm of the finance committee aided by the prompt and generous response of our citizens supplied the Mayor's Committee with ample funds for nearly the whole of its first year and from that time until the present, the Auburn War Chest has been its financial reliance. THE AUBURN WAR CHEST. At a meeting of the Council on June 27, 1917, the Chairman presented the idea of a War Chest for the city. The matter was discussed, but it was evident that the town was not ready for an undertaking of such magnitude. It was not until the following autumn that the agitation begun in June began to take shape, when a committee, consisting of Fred L. Emerson, William 0. Dapping, Howard R. Merritt, Thomas F. Dignum and George B. Stewart, was appointed to investigate the working of the plan in other places and its applicability to Auburn. The whole subject was considered fully. A meeting of the Mayor's Committee was held, at which the scheme was discussed at length. Syracuse and Rome were vis- ited. Correspondence was had with them, with Ithaca and other cities. The various plans in use in other places were studied and compared. Many meetings of the sub-committee were held. In- dividual citizens were interviewed. As a result, the above special committee recommended to the Mayor's Committee and to the cit- izens, the organization of a War Chest. On December 4, 1917, the 26 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee recommendation was adopted and the work of incorporating and organizing the Auburn War Chest for handling all the drives and appeals for money to be used for war purposes was immediately begun and energetically pushed. To no one more than to Mr. Fred L. Emerson, is credit due for the successful prosecution of this gigantic undertaking. It was due to his skillful organizing, his tireless energy, his self-sacrificing devotion to the job through a period of two months that the scheme was carried to a crowning issue. Our citizens responded in spirit and subscriptions quite be- yond all anticipations. The plan of subscriptions to be paid month- ly through the year 1918, or until the end of the war was adopted and resulted in subscriptions by 16,197 subscribers out of a popu- lation of about thirty-five thousand. The subscriptions for the year aggregated $396,829. Of this amount, about $350,000 was paid in. The War Chest continued to receive voluntary contributions during the first three months of the year 1919, which brought the total receipts to over $401,000. No one thing done by the Mayor's Committee has had more far- reaching results. CARE OF SERVICE MEN AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. This Committee inaugurated its work by appointing the fol- lowing sub-committees to care for our men in the service and for their dependents : Soldiers' families and Relief, Gerald Boardman, Chairman, Arthur E. Adams, Mrs. Gorton W. Allen, Mrs. H. Dutton Noble, Jr. Medical Care: Arthur H. Brown, M. D., Chairman, Louis F. O'Neill, M. D., Chairman succeeding the late Dr. Brown. Legal Advice: John Van Sickle, Chairman, H. Dutton Noble, Jr., John Taber. They immediately entered upon their duties and were the first agencies at work in this field of ministry to our men and their fam- ilies. Later on, the All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary to the Mayor's Committee, of which your Chairman was was made Chairman, ap- pointed a Committee on Soldiers and their Dependents with Mrs. Arthur Titus as Chairman, and Mrs. Joseph F. Raesler, Mrs. P. T. Quigley and Mrs. Morton Oltz as members. This committee worked in conjunction with your sub-committees in this field and was financ- ed by the Mayor's Committee. Still later, the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross became active in this field through its Committee on Civilian Relief, of which Mr. Herbert G. Robinson and Miss Lillian M. Hoag, Secretary of the United Charities Association were Chairman and Secretary respectively. Care of Service Men and Dependents 27 In the progress of time it became evident that the best results could only be obtained by unifying the activities of these several committees. Frequent conferences of the representatives from this Committee, the Women's Auxiliary, and the Red Cross Chapter were held with this object in view. Finally a plan was adopted that was entirely satisfactory to all parties in interest. The Red Cross Chapter following the new organization recommended for the local chapters by the American Red Cross, changed the Civilian Relief Committee to the "Home Service Section," and in order to unify this work under one head, prevailed upon your chairman to become the chairman of the "Section." This Home Service Section, the Women's Auxiliary Committee on Soldiers and their Dependents, and your three sub-committees on Soldiers' Families and Depend- ents, Medical Care and Legal Advice, were consolidated into a Relief Committee under the general chairmanship of your Chairman, with headquarters in the office of the Auburn War Chest. The work of the Relief Committee was to be financed by the Auburn War Chest through the Mayor's Defense Committee, and the committee was to report to the three organizations. In a degree, the County Defense Committee was involved in this reorganization of the Relief Work, so that from that time the relief work in the county was to be attended to by this new Relief Committeee operating through the Home Service Sections of the several County Branches of the Red Cross Chapter, which were to finance their respective operations. This plan became effective in the latter part of March, 1918, and has worked to the entire satisfaction of all the organizations and has proved to be a most economical and efficient way for doing the vast amount of work falling to the Relief Committee. All of the work has been performed by volunteer workers, who have person- ally borne such expenses as they incurred. In February, 1919, the work had grown to such proportions that it was found necessary to employ an office secretary. The Final Report of the Committee is herewith attached and is made a part of this report. It will be noted that the Committee has not failed in a single instance to give full and heedful attention to every case of Service man or family that has come to its atten- tion, and in every case has rendered assistance in the fullest meas- ure according to its best judgment. If there has been in the city of Auburn a worthy case of a Service man or his family suffering without relief from this Committee, it may be confidently affirmed it was because the Committee did not know of it* The Mayor's Committee has received for this relief work from the Auburn War Chest $6,450. Of this amount, there remains with our Treasurer $1,542.11. On the recommendation of the Relief Committee, the Executive Council directed our Treasurer ♦Appendix I. Report of Relief Committee. 28 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee to pay this unexpended balance to the Treasurer of the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross to be used for the Relief Work of its Home Service Section. The magnitude and varied character of the work of the Gen- eral Relief Committee, .to whose report reference has just been made, must not be allowed to obscure the work done during the fifteen months your three committees on Soldiers and their De- pendents were working independently, or in connection with the Women's Auxiliary. The dislocation of our men entering the service from their business and families, created many financial problems for them and their dependents which your committees helped them to solve with comfort and satisfaction. Your sub- committees used in this period $1,864, and the Women's Auxiliary drew from our Treasury $325 for the same purpose. Therefore, through this organization the citizens of Auburn have expended since we entered the War in April, 1917, in this Relief Work about $7,100. Labor, tact, sympathy, good judgment were all in demand, and at no point did your sub-committees fail to give a good account of themselves in these respects in the performance of their task. WOMAN'S NATIONAL SERVICE AND WOMAN'S AUXILIARY. Woman's part in war is not that of passive suffering merely, much as she is called upon to bear of that. Without her active aid, the work of the men at home and at the Front would be sadly crip- pled. Therefore, as your committee was composed entirely of men, it was soon found we could not go far in the discharge of the duties entrusted us without the help of the women of the town. Fortunately for us, there was called into being about this time, the Woman's Commission for National Service and a strong Chap- ter was organized here under the leadership of Mrs. Gorton W. Allen. Mrs. Allen mobilized in a most efficient way the woman- power of the town, so that when your committee had need of wo- men for voluntary clerical, type-writing, stenographic work, sew- ing, canvassing, making surveys, driving automobiles, she was able to meet our needs on short notice with an adequate supply of efficient and cheerful workers. Notably was this the case in the State Military Census and Inventory, where Mrs. Allen and her well-organized contingent of women labored incessantly for many days, thus making the Census the fine success it was. After some months of invaluable service the organization was merged into the Red Cross Chapter and similar organization, hav- ing served well a pressing need, before the other organizations got under way in its special field. Woman's National Service and Auxiliary 29 In the spring of 1917, the Company M Woman's Auxiliary, which on the first intimation that their men would be called out, had been busily engaged in getting ready to look after their com- fort, saw that there were other men than their own from Auburn in the Service and that other women than themselves were inter- ested in the very work they were doing. Therefore, under the leadership of Mrs. Joseph F. Raesler, of precious memory, the organization re-organized as the All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary, with a view of enlisting in its activities, all of the women of the town, especially those who had men in the service. It became an Auxiliary to the Mayor's Committee. The membership grew to more than one hundred. These women met once a week until the Armistice, and spent the afternoon in sewing. They also took sew- ing and knitting to their home. Many were the sweaters, socks, wristlets and other useful articles which they made for our Au- burn boys. They sent out a thousand and more Christmas boxes for the Holiday Season, 1917. In order that their organization might be in the closest co-ordination with your committee, they requested your Chairman to serve as their Chairman, which honor- able position he held until the May of this year, when the organi- zation re-organized and returned to its original purpose as an Auxiliary to Company M. The real work of directing its activities fell to Mrs. P. T. Quigley, 1st Vice-Chairman, Mrs. William L. Hodder, 2nd Vice Chairman, and the other officers and committee-women. This was a most useful aid to your committee and too much praise cannot be given to those faithful, energetic and self-denying women for all the valuable service they rendered our men in the service. Reference is made to Mrs. Raesler. She was a woman, whose tireless and unconquerable spirit, drove her beyond her physical strength. She was most patriotic and gave without a murmur, her two sons to the Cause, one of whom, Myron, fell on the battle field, and the other, Archie, has returned bearing the marks of the Great Conflict in his honorable wounds. The mother soon wore herself out in her zealous endeavors for the Cause and made her supreme sacrifice before the news reached Auburn of the casualties her sons had suffered in the same battle. The heroes at home were as noble as those on the battle-field and Mrs. Raesler was one of the former, and her two sons were among the latter. Col. Kennedy's Circle of the G. A, R., and the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union worked with your committee in furnish- ing "comfort kits" for the men as they left Auburn and in provid- ing in other ways for their comfort while in the cantonments. 30 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee MILITARY CENSUS. One of the first undertakings of the State Administration, after we entered the War was to make an exhaustive census and inventory of the State, and the Defense Committees of the State were the agencies through which this work was to be done. Each county was expected to bear the expense through appropriations for the purpose, by the Boards of Supervisors, who by legislative enactment were given full authority for such appropriations. Mr. Joseph S. Hanlon had charge of the work in the city, while Cicero J. Wame had charge of the work in the county outside of the city. Miss Pauline Titus put at the disposal of Mr. Hanlon and his workers, her dancing school, 79 Genesee Street, third floor, without charge, where for several weeks a large corps of volunteer workers collated the returns, tabulated the results, made out re- ports, which were sent to the State Census Office in New York. The Census was taken by several hundred volunteer workers or- ganized under captains and lieutenants. The city was divided into districts and sub-districts, and each census taker, wearing a badge and having a credential card, was assigned a small section. The canvass was practically completed in a single day, and so perfect was the organization and so zealous were the workers that the results were most satisfactory. An aggregate of thirteen working days were consumed in the actual field work, while for thirty-eight days and sixteen nights the headquarters were open. Four hundred and thirty-two per- sons performed the task, and a fair estimate of the average amount of time each gave voluntarily and without compensation would be eight hours, making a total of 3,456 hours. The results of the census were that we found we had male citizens of military age (18-46), excluding male citizens of Federal Draft age (21-31), 4,453; Male citizens of Federal draft age (21-31) 2,127; Male aliens, 1,736; Male citizens (16-18, 46-51) 1,256; Female aliens, 1,668; Female citizens, 8,070, total 19,310. The only expense the committee incurred was for postage, printing, stationery, telephone, and a small item for clerical hire. The total expense for city and county census was $575.26, which was generous^ carried by the Supervisors. ' DEFENSE AND SECURITY COMMITTEE. The removal of Company M from the city shortly after we began our work, left the city without any military protection, al- though after a few weeks there was begun the work of recruiting a new Company M of the National Guard. This defenseless con- Defense and Security Committee *31 dition of our city in view of the possibilities of local individual or group attack upon life and property, gave us much solicitude. It was decided that we should have a body of men drilled and armed ready for any local disturbance or like emergency that might arise. A sub-committee on Home Defense and Security, was appoint- ed consisting of Samuel E. Hillger, Chairman, John Van Sickle, Charles A. Wright, Edward Guilfoil, J. Reynolds Wait, Alan Stout, Prof. Harry L. Reed and Dr. Thomas F. Laurie. This com- mittee at once began the organization of a Company for Home De- fense. The committee met with good success and from among the many men who offered their services they had no difficulty in selecting the requisite number who were able to pass the physical examination and to meet the other requirements. One of the em- barassments tfiat the committee encountered was in the fact that many of the members of the company desired to get more actively into the war game than was possible in this company and hence, there were resignations from time to time of men who enlisted in the National Guard, or the federal army or who entered some other more active war work. While the committee was happy whenever a man resigned for any of these reasons, it found its work of keep- ing the company up to full strength with desirable men greatly in- creased thereby. Full recognition and appreciation should be given to the Board of Supervisors for their generous and patriotic support of this effort adequately to furnish protection to the lives and property of the citizens of the city and county during a period when there were lurking perils of unknown character at the dawn and close of every day. Those best able to judge, frequently expressed the opinion that the preventive influence of the existence of this well-trained and able company of determined men was very great, and that in the event of the need arising it would have been a valuable asset to the military and police authorities of the county. iToo much praise cannot be given to the officers and men of this company for the fine spirit and splendid morale displayed, and for the unusual fidelity with which they responded to the duties imposed upon membership in the company. Many of these men carried heavy responsibilities in their daily life and yet week after week they gave their valuable time to it without grudging and with noble enthusiasm. The soldierly qualities and ability of Cap- tain Aubin and his lieutenants, Dolan and Raguse, and the serious devotion of the men inspired confidence that this company, had it been called into service, would have given a good account of itself. As it was, the consciousness that it was a valuable piece of pre- paredness fully justified its organization and maintenance for a year and a half. On the recommendation of this committee, the musical instru- ments which were purchased for this company and are the prop- 32 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee erty of this committee, have been loaned to the "Officer-in-Charge, Auburn Division Military Training Commission, State of New York" for the use of the State Cadet Corps in this city, and they have been given into the custody of the present Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant Spicer, Company M, 3rd Inf. N. Y. N. G. This property consist of 4 snare drums, 4 drum belts, 4 pairs of drum sticks, 1 pair of cymbals. This Committee showed great tact and expended much labor in the performance of their delicate and arduous task. Its report accompanies this report and is a part thereof.* MILITARY COMMITTEE. This committee was composed of Hon. Charles W. Brister, Chairman, Gregg W. Irwin, John F. McGrath, Dr. M. P. Conway, Gorton W. Allen, Rev. Crandall J. North. Before the draft law be- came operative, the Federal authorities sought our assistance in obtaining recruits for the various branches of the service, and this assistance was given through the energetic labors of this committee, which in the city and throughout the county ably co-operated with the national recruiting agents. Assistance was also given to the State officers who were creating a new State Guard to take the place of the Old National Guard, sworn into Federal service. When the draft contingents began to be called, this committee arranged for a fitting "send off" for each one of these contingents. The first thing it did for these drafted men was to provide a banquet in the Masonic Building for them. To this banquet were invited all the men in the city and county who were subject to the first call, although they would go in contingents af varying sizes and at differ- ent dates. This banquet was given in the first week in September, 1917, and there were present about 150 drafted men as guests of honor. Patriotic ardor ran high at this time, and the speeches and singing bore testimony to the whole-hearted devotion of these select- ed men to the great and perilous task to which their country called them. Subsequently, as each contingent left the city this committee provided instrumental and vocal music, speaking, and escorts from the City Hall, and the Post office, the places of rendezvous for the county and city men respectively, to the railway stations, where the men were entrained. On one occasion the two contingents were so large that it was found necessary to have them both rendezvous at the State Armory. These were occasions of great interest to our citizens generally, as well as to the families and friends of the men, and no matter what the inconvenience of the hour or the inclemency of the weather, many thousands assembled to bid the men Godspeed ♦Appendix II. Report of Committee on Defense and Security. Military Committee 33 and good cheer on their high mission. Properly to arrange for these events and successfully to carry them through without a single acci- dent was no small task and the committee deserves much credit for its efforts. This is the more evident when it is reflected that in many places the matter of the entrainment of the men and the public display resulted in grave confusion and personal injury to over-eager friends and neighbors, so that the State authorities forbade these assemblages. In their work, the committee was ably assisted by the City Police, Street Department, Uniformed Rank of Maccabees, the Auburn Draying Company, Mr. John J. Breslin and many individ- ual citizens. The Auburn Draying Company furnished free bag- gage transportation in every instance and Mr. Breslin organized a choir which under his inspiring conducting led the singing and the cheering of the crowds. During the winter of 1917-18, the Federal government in- augurated a motor transport service from Buffalo through Auburn to New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore. This brought many trains of motor trucks through Auburn, which with their guards of soldiers made convoys of men often numbering over one hundred. Frequently these convoys remained over night and almost in every instance they were here for a meal. At the beginning of this motor transport service this committee was notified two or three hours in advance of the arrival of a convoy and what would be expected of us in the way of entertainment and care. These expectations were always met to the fullest need. Parking places were selected, pathfinders were sent out to meet the incoming and accompany the out-going convoys, meals and shelter were pro- vided, medical attendance furnished, the comfort and pleasure of the men looked after regardless of cost in time, money, effort. The uniform testimony of the officers in command and of the men was to the effect that no where did they find such perfect arrangements or such satisfactory reception. As the Government got this serv- ice organized and its details perfected, it adopted the wise policy of requiring them to pass directly through the cities and towns on the route, to cook their meals in the country by the roadside and to sleep in their trucks. Citizens were requested not to detain the convoys with entertainment or to show them any attentions except when requested so to do by the commanding officer. Until this change in Government policy became fully known to the public your committee was criticised for its apparent neglect of the con- voys, and frequently it was difficult to convince enthusiastic people that neither they nor we were allowed to show attentions to these men, much as we should have liked to do. These regulations tended greatly toward promoting the morale of the service and its efficiency, and at the same time relieved your committee of further duties of this kind. 34 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee As Auburn is not on the main railroad lines there was almost no occasion for canteen work, and when it was needed it was fully cared for by this committee. During the winter of 1917-18 there were several transfers of detachment^ of Aviator Cadets between the Ground School at Cornell and those at other places which in- volved their passage through Auburn; In every instance this Com- mittee in an ample way looked after their comfort and welfare, providing meals and entertainment for them during their stay in Auburn, which in some cases extended to a larger part of a day. They were given sleigh-rides by the Auburn Draying Company without expense to them or to your Committee, free use of their baths and other privileges by the Y. M. C. A., and the K. of C, Elks, Masons, and many attentions from individual citizens. In short this committee consciously omitted nothing that would add to the comfort or happiness of our own men or others in transit through the city, or would promote the morale or effec- tiveness of our fighting men. It was often called upon at short notice to do what seemed to be the impossible and throughout our connection with the war it was constantly subject to small requisi- tions which in the aggregate bulked large. At no point did it fail in the full and satisfactory performance of its duty. PUBLICITY COMMITTEE-. Quite in accord with the spirit of the time, the committee rec- ognized that an important part of its work would be the formation of public opinion and that this could best be done through the press and public meetings. Men accustomed to this kind of work were needed in order that it be done with discretion and skill. Mistakes of judgment or indifference to task or inability to obtain informa- tion might not only deprive our great Cause of the adequate sup- port of the public but might result in actual injury to it. We were fortunate in securing for the Sub-committee on Publicity and Speakers, gentlemen who met in a most gratifying way the condi- tions essential to the effective performance of these duties. Hon. Richard C. S. Drummond, Chairman, William 0. Dapping, and Howard R. Merritt accepted appointment on the committee and from the beginning were diligent in the performance of their duties. The Committee not only carried the work within the city, but it did an important service to the county and beyond in furnishing speakers for the patriotic meetings that were held during the period at picnics, institutes, in the villages and cities within a radius of a hundred miles or more of the city. Many requests were made for speakers and while it was not always easy to comply with Hospitals and Supplies Committee 35 these requests the committee often at great personal inconvenience, did not fail in a single instance to meet the wishes of those apply- ing to it.* TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE. It was recognized that occasion might arise in which national, state, or local interests would require large and prompt transpor- tation facilities for men or material and that it would be too late to prepare for meeting it after the occasion arrived. Therefore, Mr. James A. Wilson, the head of the Auburn Draying Company, consented to serve as chairman of a transportation committee. Mr. Wilson made all necessary arrangements for a quick and ade- quate meeting of all probable demands for transport service and had the occasion come for such service we would have been found fully prepared. There never was any necessity for utilizing these facilities. There was one form of transport service, however, which was of great sentimental as well as practical value. The men who left Auburn from time to time for the cantonments, had luggage, which for the whole contingent aggregated a large amount, often requir- ing several trucks. Mr. Wilson, with the trucks of the Auburn Draying Company, was always on hand for the transportation of this luggage from the rendezvous to the place of entrainment. This was done when Company M went to Fort Niagara, and on six other occasions when the contingents of city and county draftsmen were called. This service and also frequent other transport service of which no record was kept was performed by the Auburn Draying Company without charge and with a fine patriotic spirit. HOSPITALS AND HOSPITAL SUPPLIES COMMITTEE. In the early days of the War there was throughout the land a conviction that before we got through with the business there would be need for all of the hospital facilities in the country. This feeling was shared in this city and, therefore, a Sub-committee with Dr. M. P. Conway as Chairman was appointed to make an inventory of our hospitals and hospital facilities and be prepared for any emergency demand the Government might make in this respect upon this community. From time to time as the war progressed the liklihood of some demand of this nature became insistent and then lapsed. Our Sub-committee was in touch with the situation at all times, and 'Appendix III. Report of Sub-Committee on Publicity. 36 Report op Mayor's Defei*se Committee would have been ready to respond in an ample way to any sudden request. For example, the Theological Seminary had purchased additional equipment and formed its organization so that on a moment's notice it could have provided comfortable accommoda- tions for one hundred and twenty men, and more if necessary. Many private homes were voluntarily offered for the same pur- pose and had the occasion arisen many more would have been offered. The first home to be offered to the committee was that of Rev. Crandall North, D. D., a civil war veteran, who with his daugh- ters were ready to give their home and themselves to this noble service. There is no doubt that we were in a position on the short- est notice to have furnished accommodations for four or five hun- dred sick or wounded men. Happily there was no occasion to use these generously offered facilities. FOOD AND THE WAR. "Food will win the war" was a popular slogan through the strenuous period of actual hostilities, but before the slogan was sounded, your committee had foreseen the vital relation of food to war and had matured plans for increased production of food and other essentials. As our work advanced we modified from time to time our organization, but always in the interest of increas- ed activity and efficiency. In due time we had the following committees working in this field and all of them performing important functions. Farm Labor Utility Committee, City Labor Utility Committee, Food Production and Conservation Committee, Home Garden Committee, and War Kitchen Committee. All of these committees combined made an aggregate of effec- tive service in these fundamental things that can scarcely be over- stated. Each is deserving of special mention. FARM LABOR UTILITY COMMITTEE. Early in the spring of 1917, the federal authorities inaugur- ated a campaign for increased production of agricultural products. This movement received the endorsement of our State Agriculture Department, which secured a large appropriation from the Legis- lature for promoting this effort. Your committee realizing the important part food would play in the winning of the war, entered enthusiastically into the plans for producing more of it. Mr. Leslie Woodcock, the Agent in Auburn of the State Employment Bureau, was made chairman of a Labor Utility Committee, which soon be- came a Farm Labor Utility Committee, with Charles G. Adams, Farm Labor Utility Committee 37 Frank S. Jacques, William H. Depew, Fred H. Wiggins, Charles W. Storke, Elmer N. Ross, Frank E. Swift and Henry D. Hervey as members. As Mr. Woodcock's official duties were largely with farmers, and concerned more particularly the matter of farm labor, the work of this committee was confined almost exclusively to food production outside of the city. The committee organized efficiently for supplying from the city laborers for the farms in the county. Men in the shops, offices, stores, professions, who were familiar with farm work and cap- able of performing it were obtained in considerable numbers for work upon the farms for longer or shorter periods, especially dur- ing seeding and harvest times. Those who could not be away from their homes oyer night were conveyed without charge by the com- mittee, back and forth in automobiles. Farmers were notified of available labor and were put into touch with it. The value to the farmers and the effect upon the production of food within the coun- ty cannot be known, but enough is known to justify the conclusion that they were appreciably large. The State Department of Agriculture offered to supply on generous terms to the committee, farm tractors for plowing and fitting the ground for spring crops. The offer came late for spring plowing and the time was short for perfecting plans and yet the committee courageously took up the work and arranged for four tractors for the county. A prolonged and very wet spell of weather almost immediately followed, thus making it difficult to use the tractors and almost impossible for them to do their best work. The use of tractors in this region was a novelty, and men who under- stood their management were not to be had. Therefore, only the more progressive of the farmers cared to experiment with them and the men in charge proved to be far from competent. These were some of the many diffculties w;hich the committee encounter- ed. This employment of tractors was liberally criticised and the results of the venture were not as satisfactory even to the commit- tee as had been anticipated. Yet, at the end of the season, com- petent judges estimated that about five hundred acres were put under cultivation through their use that would otherwise have remained untouched and that the value of the crops thus obtained was not far from $40,000. This result alone would seem to justify the opinion that, notwithstanding the discouragements incident to the experiment, it was far from being an unprofitable one. Probably the best result of the tractor experiment was that the farmers were made familiar with the farm tractor and were able to observe its practicability and value, and in consequence, the use of this piece of machinery has been greatly extended. Upon the removal from the city of Mr. Woodcock, in the Fall of 1917, his place as chairman of this committee was taken by his successor in the State Emplosrment Office, Mr. D. Elmer Munro. 38 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee Under Mr. Munro's leadership the activity of the committee has been devoted to securing laborers for the farmers and to publicity through the city and county press and in other ways with a view to a relief of the perplexing and difficult situation existing in the farm labor market. He has proven to be a wise and diligent ad- ministrator in this important field of service. CITY LABOR UTILITY COMMITTEE. It soon became apparent in the work of the Labor Utility Com- mittee that the problems of farm labor was different from that of city labor, and that if the two were to be successfully solved it would be necessary to separate them and to have a committee for each. It was decided to leave the farm labor part of the work with the original committee and to have a new committee on City Labor Utility, with Mr. Charles W. Storke, a member of the original Com- mittee, as chairman of it. Because of his personal fitness for the position and also because of his official relations, as Secretary of the Employers' Association of Auburn, to the Committee's field of operation, Mr. Storke proved to be the right man in the right place. Associated with him on the committee were Fred W. Jones, Charles L. Fetterley, A. E. Ballin, Harold G. Metcalf, Douglas Woodruff, George Severson, LeRoy Phelps, all of them active man- ufacturers, and representing the largest employers of labor in the city. This committee had at all times the whole industrial field under its careful scrutiny, and was able to give instant and intelli- gent attention to every question that arose. In view of the fact that our manufacturies were essential industries and some of them were engaged directly in war work, it was necessary that this com- mittee should be composed of men who were in a position as were these gentlemen, to safeguard our industries as well as to secure the necessary labor. Special attention was directed toward alien residents and also in every case, whether alien or citizen, to employ only loyal and trust-worthy people. During the war the matter of marking in code, freight cars directed to local manufacturers, also the safe-guarding of neighbor- ing railroad bridges, protection of our water power used by the factories and mills, adequate fire and police protection of manu- facturing plants were handled by this committee. A list of all alien residents and transients was obtained, and through it the com- mittee was at all times advised as to the movements of suspected persons so far as related to the manufacturies of the city. The fact that no act of violence was attempted in our factories and that there was no serious trouble of any kind in any one of our industries was due in large measure to the vigilance of the Food Production and Conservation 39 committee and is a tribute to its wise handling of the delicate sit- uations that arose. The committee was also active in providing emplojrment for men desiring it and in seeking workers for the industries needing them, so that our labor market was kept in as healthy condition as could be expected in times abnormal as have been those of the past two years. Neither have deserving men gone without work nor have our industries been seriously crippled for lack of employees. FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE. Mr. E. C. Weatherby, Manager of the Cayuga County Farm Bureau, was asked to organize a committee with a view to the pro- motion of increased production of vegetables and the conservation of fruits and vegetables. In complying with this request he found it desirable to divide the country and city ends of the undertaking and assign them to different committees. The country end of this work in large measure fell under the direction of the County De- fense Committee, but since the city forces were active in good de- gree in it and it was interlaced with the city end of the work, it is proper that reference to it should be made in this report. The report of Mr. Weatherby, which is submitted with this report is largely occupied with the conservation part of the work in the country districts. This is proper since the committee's energies were directed mainly to the work of conservation and were only incidentally directed to the production of garden and other products in the country. The County Committee had a sub- committee on Home Gardens, which did excellent service in the field of increased production. The effectiveness of this committee was due in large measure to Miss Mary E. Bowen, the Food Conservation Agent, who in city and county labored untiringly and with great good sense and intel- ligence at her task. She was a pioneer in this field, and like most pioneers she had to overcome much indifference and active opposi- tion, even in the very quarters where she had a right to expect co-operation. But her tact, winning personality, and evident mas- tery of her department in due time broke down all opposition and won her increasing support. Mr. Weatherby ably wrought with Miss Bowen in the prosecu- tion of this work. The results of their activities and those of their fellow-workers in city and county are measured not only in larger yields of food products and in the preservation of surplus food, but in the dissemination of information about food values, methods of wise and economic cooking and household management, and house- wifely duties generally.* ♦Appendix IV. Report of Food Production and Conservation. 40 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee HOME GARDEN COMMITTEE. This sub-committee began its work as a section of the larger committee which covered the whole field of food production and conservation in the city and country. But as already intimated, it soon became apparent that there were two separate fields to be covered, the country and the city, and the section having charge of the City Home Gardens early became an independent committee, leaving the country end to the original committee, which under- went re-organization, with a new personnel as previously mention- ed. Mr. Weatherby remained chairman of the City Home Garden Committee, and also of the country Food Production and Conserva- tion Committee. While this laid a double duty upon him it enabled the two committees to work in harmony and mutual helpfulness. The Home Garden Committee consisted of Edwin C. Weather- by, Chairman, John Macintosh, Secretary, J. Reynolds Wait, C. A. Clark, S. L. Depew, Mrs. David Wadsworth, Jr., John VanSickle, Leslie Woodcock, and J. A. Hunter. This committee worked un- tiringly through the summer of 1917 and as its report shows ac- complished substantial results. Early in the spring of 1918, the committee was re-organized with J. Reynolds Wait as Chairman, and members, C. A. Clark, John VanSickle, E. C. Weatherby, Henry D. Hervey, and E. J. Flynn. Conditions during this second season were different, due to general conditions and also to the permanent excellent results of the previous summer. The committee adapted its work to the new conditions and the outcome of the work was as gratifying as in the preceding year. The two chairmen deserve much credit for their gift of time and labor, for it was due largely to them that the results were so gratifying.* WAR KITCHEN COMMITTEE. In the spring of 1918 there was appointed a sub-committee to have charge of the conservation of fruit and vegetables. This action grew out of the experience of the preceding summer with the War Garden Work. The production end of our efforts to in- crease food supply had been satisfactorily carried forward, but it was evident that a considerable part of the food thus produced must be cared for if it was to be available for use during the fall and winter. While many of the housewives knew how to can veg- etables and fruits and were provided in their own homes with the •Appendix V. Report of Home Garden Committee. Motor Vehicles and Operators 41 facilities for doing the work, yet observation and investigation revealed that their number was smaller than was commonly sup- posed. Hence, the committee undertook two lines of activity, to give instruction by competent teachers to those desiring it in the best modern methods for canning, to furnish the facilities for this work to those who did not have them in their own homes and to pur- chase and can the surplus vegetables and fruits in the markets and from the dealers, which otherwise would have been an entire or partial loss. The Committee consisted of Edwin F. Metcalf, chairman, and Courtney C. Avery, Mrs. Lawrence R. Boden, Mrs. Albert H. Hamil- ton, Miss Louise Montgomery, Miss Mary C. Bowen. The Chairman and his committee met ungrudgingly the large demands upon their time which this work made and had the satisfaction of seeing re- sults far beyond the most optomistic expectations. The report of the committee accompanies this report.* MOTOR VEHICLES AND OPERATORS. Dr. Arthur H. Brown, President of the Auburn Automobile Club, was asked to serve as a committee on motor vehicles and oper- ators with power to associate with him others on the committee. He made an inventory of all such vehicles and drivers in the city and reported that he was ready to furnish the Government at in- stant notice with a full list of all motor vehicles, and their descrip- tion, together with a list of men capable of driving the same. In case there had been military necessity for it this inventory would have been of immense value to the authorities. Dr. Brown rendered service also in securing motor cars for the committees that were caring for the soldiers and their families and the committees having charge of the various "drives" in the city and county. The appeals to him as the head of the motor vehicle service by many patriotic organizations for free transporta- tion were many and were always met by him with promptness where it was possible for him to obtain the requisite vehicles. By his untimely death a few months ago this committee lost a valuable and interested member. He was always faithful in the performance of his duties and enthusiastic in his support of our work. •Appendix VI. Report of War Kitchen Committee. 42 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee MILITARY MEMORIAL COMMITTEE. Your committee received at its meeting on January 10, 1919, a request from the County Defense Committee to co-operate with it in devising, plans and executing them for erecting a permanent memorial in honor of our men who have fallen in the service of their country during the recent World War. The matter was dis- cussed at length, as to the form the memorial should take, the loca- tion of it, the subjects of it, the time for fhaugurating the move- ment, and other phases of the project. No decision was arrived at touching any of the various phases discussed, but there was a unanimous sentiment that the city and county should unite in a memorial, that it was imperative that there should be a memorial, that it should be a dignified and fitting one, and that the earliest opportune moment should be embraced for inaugurating the under- taking. A committee consisting of John VanSickle, Thomas H. O'Neill, Miles Irish, Julius Kraft, Samuel E. Hillger, Harold G. Metcalf, William H. Seward, Jr., and George B. Stewart was ap- pointed without instructions to co-operate with the committee ap- pointed by the Cayuga County Defense Committee for the same purpose and to report to the Mayor's Committee. The vacancy occasioned in this committee by the death of Thomas H. O'Neill, has been filled by the appointment of William K. Payne. The report of that committee is herewith submitted and made a part of this report. It has also been submitted to the County De- fense Committee and the Executive Council of this Committee, and their action upon it is appended to it as a part thereof.* The matter is one of eminent importance. Unquestionably, every citizen of the county and city will watch with interest, the maturing and execution of the plans of this World War Memorial Association of Cayuga County. WELCOME HOME COMMITTEE. The report of this committee which is hereto attached deals in a most interesting way with one of the activities of the Mayor's Committee which possibly provoked the most criticism and yet appealed most strongly to the heart of Auburn and Cayuga County. The criticism grew out of two attitudes of mind. One was the economical attitude, for there were some who thought that too much money was spent, and yet not even these critics could charge that any money had been wasted or that the things done cost more than they ought to have cost. They simply said that the plans should have included less expensive features. Here this attitude ran into the •Appendix VII. Report ot Military Memorial Committee. Special Service Committee 43 second, which was expressed by those who, possibly not for econom- ical but for other reasons, such as those of taste or of personal opinion or desire, would have done something different. This "something different" might have been less or more than what was actually done but at all events it would have been, in their judgment, more appropriate and more adequate. It is inevitable that there should be such criticism, and especially while the plans of the committee were maturing and materializing. The Committee welcomed and profited by some of the constructive criticism. It is noteworthy and gratifying that as the public saw the finish of the committee's labor and realized how complette had been their plans to the minut- est detail and marked the unmarred success of every feature of the "Welcome Home" to our brave men who from city and county had gone forth ts do our job for us, the criticism disappeared and everybody has been lond in praise of the committee's hard work and good judgment. The members appointed by the County Defense Committee co-operated in the preparations and bore their part in all the work. The Board of Supervisors entered heartily into the plans for the "Welcome Home" and made a liberal appropriation toward defraying the expenses. The Auburn War Chest was fully advised as to the plans of the committee and cheerfully appropriated from its funds a large share of the expense. The Cayuga County Chap- ter of the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A. and the K. of C. worked dili- gently with the committee. The Common Council and the various departments of the City Government, especially the Police and Street Departments, gave not only approval to the work of the committee, but rendered valuable assistance. The Street Depart- ment had the difficulty and expense of its task immensely increased by the unusual and unexpected fall of snow just prior to the arrival of Company M and its Supply Company, and the Parade incident thereto, and its successful accomplishment of the task elicited the highest commendation. The gratifying achievements of the Wel- come Home Committee were possible because of the valued assist- ance and co-operation of all these various agencies, to all of which a large share of the praise for the success of the undertaking should be apportioned* SPECIAL SERVICE COMMITTEE. On account of the dangers arising from the presence in our city and other parts of the country of nationals of the countries with which we were at war and of their sympathizers, it was deemed imperative that adequate protection should be taken against evil-disposed or unbalanced people. Therefore, without announce- ment and without the knowledge of others than those directly con- *Appendix VIII. Report of Welcome Home Committee. 44 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee cerned, the Chairman appointed a committee on "Special Service," of which he made chairman, William C. Bell, the Chief of Police. Chief Bell associated others with him from time to time as it be- came necessary. He was diligent in keeping a close watch upon all suspicious persons, whether residents or strangers, and in follow- ing up to a finish all rumors or evidence of unlawful conduct. Many persons were warned that they must be more discreet in speech or behavior, and some were dealt with more severely. We were peculi- arly fortunate in that there were no attempts upon the property or lives of our citizens, although there might have been, if Chief Bell and his assistants had been less alert. If the story of the work of this committee could be told it would reveal that there were a number of reluctant patriots and of persons who were well-be- haved under constraint . COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE. The Council arranged for a Community Thanksgiving Service on November 28, 1918 in the Auditorium, which was participated in by ministers and citizens of the various churches, and by those with no church affiliation. It was largely attended, the Auditorium being full. Rev. Clarence A. Barbour, D. D., of Rochester, N. Y., was the speaker. The singing was led by the combined choirs of the churches supported by the Salem Town Band. The atmosphere was reverently and joyously religious, in harmony -vVith the feeling of devout gratitude to the Heavenly Father that the War had been brought to a victorious close. This is the first time in the history of the city when the whole town united in a common religious service and the hope was freely and generally expressed that this might not be the last time when the whole community should meet for divine worship. It would be a most gratifying manifestation of our community interest and solidarity if on subsequent Thanksgiving Days we could have sim- ilar union services. EXPENSE FOR ADMINISTRATION. This Committee is justified in having a satisfaction in the small item for administration in the Treasurer's Report. It is. a fact worthy of comment that the varied and multitudinous activi- ties of this Committee have been carried forward for two years and nine months at a cost for office rent, clerical and other help, which may properly be characterized as insignificant. We may have further satisfaction in the fact that not a member of the com- The Treasury 45 mittee has received a cent for compensation or even the return of money for actual expense incurred in committee work, notwith- standing the fact that many members have given large blocks of time and spent many dollars in attendance upon this work. Every- one worked cheerfully, gratuitously, and without slackness. Ample proof of their loyalty. Your Chairman wishes to express his deep appreciation of the cordial support he has had throughout these months and of the courteous treatment everyone has accorded him, even in situa- tions and at times when different opinions regarding affairs were inevitable among men of independent judgment. We began our work together more than two years and a half ago as fellow-citizens and acquaintances and we now conclude it as friends with increased respect and esteem for each other and a profound sense of our community interests. APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE. As already stated the plan adopted for handling the finances of the committee was to have a treasurer, an assistant treasurer, a finance committee, and an appropriations and expenditures com- mittee. This latter committee consisted of William H. Seward, Jr., Chairman; Clarence F. Baldwin, Gorton W. Allen, Thomas H. Garrett, Jr., and George B. Stewart, the last three being on the committee ex officio, as Chairman of the finance committee, treas- urer, and chairman of the committee respectively. No committee or officer was allowed to incur obligations without first obtaining an appropriation from this sub-committee, and appropriations were only made after approval, and when and as the funds in the treasury warranted. The hour for the meeting of this sub-committee was two-fifteen in the afternoon on the call of the chairman. Frequently, this involved several meetings a week. The careful and intelligent attention to its duties by this sub- committee explains in large part the economical and effective use of our funds. The report of the treasurer covers the details of its proceedings. THE TREASURY Not the least interesting part of this report is that which the Treasurer provides. It is clear and accurate, two admirable qual- ities in a treasurer's report. Some of the items of expenditure are considerably reduced when there is deducted from them the credits which are given them in the receipt-side of the report. From the 46 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee report it appears that the committee for all purposes actually dis- bursed about $23,000. Far the larger part of this amount went directly to the benefit of our own service men and their dependents ; as is seen in these items stated in approximate figures: Soldiers' dependents, $4,971, Auburn Men in the 108th, $1,252, aid to serv- ice men, mostly casualties, $1,408, Home-coming in April, 1919, $6,214, Home-coming in September, $3,510, a total of $17,355. It is gratifying that about 75 per cent of all the money used by this committee was for our noble service men and their families, an amount, however, which quite inadequately expressed our sense of obligation to them for their sacrifice and service on our behalf. In addition to the above amounts, the committee spent in the interest of food production and food conservation, a most import- ant matter, the following amounts ; for the production of farm pro- ducts, $1,106, for War gardens, 1917, $594, War gardens, 1918, $681, War kitchen, 1918, $52, a total of about $2,433. A study of the treasurer's report will indicate that most of the varied and multiplied activities of the committee were carried forward without expense to the committee, the expenses being borne by the individual members themselves.* The treasurer, Mr. Thomas H. Garrett, Jr., and the assistant treasurer, Mr. Sidney J. Aubin, deserve unstinted praise for the careful way in which they have administered the funds entrusted to them and for their fidelity in the discharge of their laborious duties. CONCLUSION. The aim in making this report has been to give a faithful ac- count of the work of this committee. There were so many forms of service and so many persons busily engaged upon them that even this summary has become long. Yet much has been omitted, which if recorded would have made as interesting reading as much that has been told. Especially is this true of a multitude of matters that arose in the day's work, that were quickly handled and as quickly forgotten. There was scarcely a day during; the continu- ance of the war and even for awhile after the armistice, in which some demand did not come requiring immediate attention. This would be referred to one or more members of the committee, who would thus serve as a special committee and be discharged as soon as the particular duty was performed. The work, therefore, of many members of the committee has not been mentioned. ♦Appendix IX. Treasurer's Report. Report of the Auburn Relief Committee 47 Every member of the committee did all that he was asked to do and did it cheerfully and well. A more patriotic body of men could not have been gathered together, nor one more willing or more conscientious in the discharge of the duties assigned to them. The occasion for which we were appointed having passed, and the work we were apponted to do having been finished to the best of our ability, we respectfully make this our final report. For the Mayor's Defense Committee of the City of Auburn, George B. Stewart, Chairman. Auburn, N. Y., December 31, 1919. APPENDIX I Report of the Auburn Relief Committee From April, 1918 to Oct. 1, 1919 A Period of Eighteen Months To the Mayor's Defense Committee, All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary, County Defense Committee, and Cayuga Coun- ty Chapter, American Red Cross. During March, 1918, the reorganization of agencies for the care of soldiers and their dependents in the city of Auburn and the County of Cayuga was completed. Prior to that time the work had been carried forward by several organizations acting inde- pendently. The first organization in the field was the Mayor's Defense Committee, which had a sub-committee for the care of Auburn soldiers and their dependents, of which Mr. Gerald Boardman was chairman. This sub-committee was constituted in the beginning of April, 1917, and was active in the performance of its duties. Its expenditures, prior to the reorganization, amounted to $1,864. Shortly after the formation of the Mayor's Committee, there was organized an All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary, as aid to the Mayor's Defense Committee. This Auxiliary had a committee for the care of the dependents, of which Mrs. Arthur Titus was chair- woman, which committee worked in conjunction with Mr. Board- man's committee and was financed by the Mayor's Defense Com- mittee. This committee expended $325, 48 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee In the same month of April, 1917, the Cayuga County Defense Committee was appointed by the Governor, and among the duties of this committee were those connected with the care of soldiers and their dependents within the county. This committee, in the early months of the war, had but little to do along these lines, and what it did was attended to by individuals in the several localities where there were cases requiring attention. No money was hand- led for this work by the committee. Some months later the Cayuga County Chapter of the Ameri- can Red Cross undertook to work in the same field, through what wks then called the Civilian Relief Committee, with Miss Hoag, the representative of the Associated Charities, as secretary. Miss Hoag was faithful, capable and efficient, and it was a loss to the work when she removed from the city. It soon became apparent that with three organizations work- ing in the city, namely, the Mayor's Defense Committee's Sub- Committee, the All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary's Committee and the Red Cross Civilian Relief, later styled, "Home Service Section," and two organizations working in the County, namely, the County Defense Committee and the Red Cross Civilian Relief of the Cayuga County Chapter and its Branches, there were duplications of effort, loss of effectiveness, and waste of power. A conference of representatives of these organizations result- ed in the drafting of a plan for the consolidation of the relief work, which received the approval of all of them and which with some slight modifications due to experience has been the scheme for the prosecution of the work through the past eighteen months. The arrangement has proved to be a most satisfactory one, and brieiiy stated is as follows: (1) That the Cayuga Chapter re-organize its Home Service Section with George B. Stewart as chairman. (2) That a relief committee be consituted, consisting of the Mayor's Defense Com- mittee's Committee on Soldiers and their Dependents, the ReUef Committee of the Woman's Auxiliary, and the Home Service Sec- tion of the Red Cross Chapter, and that all of the members of the Relief Committee be regarded as members of the several commit- tees uniting in it. (3) That the Chairman of the Relief Committee be the newly appointed chairman of the Home Service Section, he be- ing also the Chairman of the Mayor's Defense Committee and of the Women's Auxiliary. (4) That the Chairmen of the Mayor's Committee's Legal and Medical Committees, John VanSickle, Esq., and Arthur H. Brown, M. D., be members of the Relief Committee. (5) That all the relief work in the city be financed by the Mayor's Committee and in the County by the Red Cross Branches for their respective communities. (6) That the Auburn War Chest furnish the funds for the city work through the Mayor's Committee. (7) That the legal and medical committees of the Mayor's Committee Report of the Auburn Relief Committee 49 have charge under the Relief Committee of the matters belonging to them respectively. (8) That the relief work in the county be in charge of the respective Red Cross Branches under the direction of the central Relief Committee. (9) That the Headquarters of the Relief Committee be at the Auburn War Chest. (10) That the Relief Committee make full report of its work to the American Red Cross through the Cayuga County Chapter. The Relief Committee thus constituted, consisted of the above mentioned Chairman and Mr. Gerald Boardman, Mr. Arthur E. Adams, Miss Pauline Titus, Mrs. H. Button Noble, Jr., Mrs. Arthur Titus, Mrs. P. T. Quigley, Miss Margaret Brown, Mrs. Morton Oltz. Work was begun in the latter part of March, 1918, under this new arrangement and has been actively prosecuted until the present. All the members, to the measure of their opportunity, have rendered effective service. All the work was done without expense to the Committee until February, 1919, when it had grown to such proportions that it was found to be necessary to employ a secretary. Mrs. Howard E. Ensor was engaged as secretary, to serve for a half of each day. She is still serving with great acceptance in this capacity. Expenses incurred by the members of the committee, and they have not been small, have been borne by them, and have not been charged against the work. The work has been varied to an almost incredible degree, and it is impossible to convey in a brief report, such as this, an ade- quate notion of its variety and extent. The committee has obtained homes for little children, employment for women, adjusted all sorts of marital difficulties, looked after the sick, handled cases of deserters from the service, rented houses, moved families, paid taxes, borne traveling expenses, buried the dead, comforted the afflicted, conserved business interests, dealt with landlords, pur- chased coal and household supplies, investigated home conditions for the satisfaction of absent soldiers, and the soldier's condition for the satisfaction of the home people, and carried forward an extensive correspondence for the folks at home, the men in the service, the Red Crss Headquarters and many of the Chapters, and different departments of the Government. The Committee has been a clearing house for all sorts of infor- mation pertaining to the allotments and allowances of dependents, civil rights a,nd military interests of the men in the service, com- pensation, requests for discharges, vocational training, casualties. We have not only given information touching these riiatters, but we have been influential and effective in bringing hundreds of cases to a satisfactory issue. We have endeavored to be of the ut- most service in every case and, therefore, no case has been too trivial, too disagreeable, too unnecessary, too troublesome for us to follow to the end. 50 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee Where financial aid was needed we have given it, either as loan or out-right gift in such amount and in such manner as our best judgment, enlightened by careful and personal investigation m every case, seemed to warrant. In many cases we have been com- pelled, regretfully, to decline financial help to the dependent or to the soldier, either wholly or in the amount desired, but only when to our best judgment the circumstances required us to do so. Our work has not been confined wholly to our own home men, but has been extended to many service men passing through the city, some of them worthy and some of them unworthy. To all alike, we gave personal attention and to all we rendered the service the circumstances seemed to warrant. A record has been kept of the cases we regarded as more or less permanent cases, and these have amounted to about 400. But no record has been kept of the cases that only came before us once or twice and merely for counsel or immediate and not future at- tention. These averaged over 250 per month, or over five thousand during the eighteen months of our activity. In addition to the 2,250 men who entered the service of the United States from the City of Auburn, there were about 170 who entered the Canadian service. To these latter and their depend- ents we gave the same attention as to the men in our own service. For them we expended about $2,500. This service for the Canadian men has been rendered pursu- ant to an arrangement between the American Red Cross and the British and Canadian Patriotic Society, by which the Red Cross cared for the American dependents of British and Canadian soldiers and the Patriotic Society did the same for the Canadian dependents of American men. The money expended for the Canadian depend- ents has been refunded to us by the Patriotic Society. In May last, the All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary concluded the work for which it was organized and changed the form and purpose of its organization. This terminated its connection with the relief work. The Mayor's Defense Committee has practically finished its work and will shortly go out of existence. With the month of September it ended its connection with the relief work and its responsibility for financing it. The County Defense Com- mittee on December 31, 1918, brought its work to an end, although it still retains its organization. Its connection with the relief work is also ended. This leaves the Home Service Section of the Red Cross as the sole responsible agency engaged in this relief work, and upon this organization will fall, from October 1st, the entire care of the inter- ests of men in active service and their dependents, and also the financing of this work. Eeport op the Auburn Relief Committee 51 As the Home Service Section is the residuary legatee of this work, it would seem to the present relief committee that the work should remain permanently with the Section. It has the organiza- tion, it is the agency recognized by the Government for communi- cating with its several departments, it enjoys the confidence of the community, and it is well known to the soldiers and their de- pendents and is trusted by them. The Red Cross Chapter by every consieration may properly expect that this work will be left with it and it has signified its willingness to undertake its sole direction. As already stated, the Mayor's Committee through its own sub-committee on Soldiers and their dependents and through the Women's Auxiliary expended in this work of relief $2,189, before the work was -taken over by the joint-committee. In addition to the above, this Relief Committee has expended a total of $7,892.13 from April 1, 1918 to October 1, 1919. This amount was expended as follows: For the families of men in the service, $6,747.14 ; for men in the service, their hospital bills, loans, board, railroad fares, etc., $588.17, for postage, stationery, telephones, telegrams, etc., $290.82, for clerical help, $266. The Relief Committee received for its work, a total of $9,434.24, as follows : from the Auburn War Chest $6,450; reinbursement from the Ithaca Red Cross Chapter, $1.44; reimbursement from dependent families $468; reimburse- ment from British and Canadian Patriotic Fund, $2,511.80 ; return of loan to soldier $3. There is in the treasury of the Mayor's De- fense Committee for relief work, $1,542.13, which in the judgment of the Relief Committee should be given to the Cayuga County Chapter of the Red Cross for the Relief Work which is to be car- ried forward by the Chapter's Home Service Section in continuance of our relief work. This sum is the remainder of the appropriations by the Auburn War Chest for this specific purpose, and should be returned to the Auburn War Chest if it is not passed on to the Red Cross Home Service Section for the purpose for which it was orig- inally appropriated. It is a pleasure to commend the prompt and hearty way in which the British and Canadian Patriotic Fund has reimbursed us for monies advanced to the families residing in our county of men who were enlisted in the Canadian or British Service. It is an occasion for grateful and special note that certain fam- ilies, even at great personal sacrifice, but with commendable self- respect, reimbursed the Committee for help which we were quite prepared to regard as gifts. It thus appears that from the begin- ning of our entrance into the War until the present. Auburn has expended for the care of the soldiers and their dependents, over $7,000, not to speak of the many thousands of dollars that have been given privately in unofiicial ways. 52 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee The Auburn War Chest generously allowed the committee desk-room in its quarters, 146 Genesee Street, until it had to move the latter part of July last. For this and many other courtesies we wish to express our grateful appreciation. We especially wish to thank it and its Board of Directors for the full and ungrudging support which has been given this work by their appropriations to it through the Mayor's Committee. The Committee gratefully accepted the generous hospitality of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce in the offer of desk room in its new building, without charge, and on July 10th, 1919, took poses- sion of its new quarters. Special mention should be made of the valued services of the Legal and Medical Committees. These services were many and often required professional skill of a high order. They made large demands upon the time of the chairmen and their committees. Mr. John VanSickle and his associates, and Dr. Arthur Brovsm and his associates made no charge for their services and were most ready to render them to the utmost requirements of the individual cases. After the untimely death of Dr. Brown, Dr. L. F. O'Neill willing- ly took his place as chairman of the Medical Committee, and has given gratuitously a large amount of his time to casualty cases and to the families needing medical attention. The volume of the work is not likely to increase, as the maxi- mum amount has already been reached and passed, but it is not improbable that more time will be required for the disposal of it. The character of it will be different, as there will be less to do in the matter of allotments and allowances, fewer occasions for giv- ing advice, but more cases for compensation, more cases of distress, more need for outside personal investigation and supervision. The Government method of handling these matters with which the Sec- tion will have to deal, is undergoing a process of much needed re- vision, and. it is not possible to forecast the effect this vdll have upon the Section's work. The variety in the work will undoubt- edly be much lessened, but the demand for tact, care, discriminat- ing judgment, will be greater, and doubtless, the expenditures for administration and actual relief may be increased. One of the first things to be done is to make a card catalog of all the men who have been and are still in the service, together with certain salient facts regarding them, their past and present circum- stances and their dependents. It has not been practicable up to this time to make such a catalog, but the time has about come, when it can be done, and when done it will be of great help to the Section in the performance of its duties. If the Cayuga County Chapter deems it wise to undertake through its Home Service Section, the new lines of community serv- ice advised by the American Red Cross, it would seem to be high^ Report of Committee of Defense and Security 53 desirable to keep this new work separate and distinct from the care of the Service men and their dependents, as it would be most un- fortunate for the impression to get abroad that the service we ren- der our soldier men and their dependents is born of the same al- truistic consideration as thos^ which inspire the charitable work done for the community. Furthermore, the funds for the two kinds of activities should be kept distinct. The present headquarters of the Committee in the Auburn Chamber of Commerce are so well adapted to the purposes and methods of this work, that in the judgment of the Committee they should be retained for the future prosecution of the work by the Home Service Section of the Red Cross. The present personnel of the Mayor's Committee's Subcom- mittee on Soldiers and their dependents herewith resign their of- fice, as there seems to be no further need for them to continue in it, since the Red Cross is the logical organization for the Work from now on. The present personnel of Home Service Section having been appointed for a specific purpose and to meet a particular situation now respectfully resigns and surrenders this work to such hands as the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross may see fit to commit it. The Relief Committee respectfully offers this Report of its activities and surrenders its work, grateful that it has been allowed in this way to serve this community and its military men and their dependents, while enlisted in the Great World War. By order of the Committee, George B. Stewart, Chairman. October 1, 1919. APPENDIX II Report of Committee of Defense and Security The Committee of Defense and Security, a sub-committee of the Mayor's Defense Committee, begs leave to submit the follow- ing report covering its activities from the time it was appointed to the date of its discharge. In the early spring of 1917, on the outbreak of war between this country and Germany, the Mayor's Defense Committee of the City of Auburn, N. Y., was created ; it appointed various sub-com- mittees which assumed their several duties without delay. 54 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee Among these was the Committee on Defense and Security of which Samuel E, Hillger was appointed chairman with power to select the other members, viz: John VanSickle, Chas. A. Wright, J. Reynolds Wait, Edw. J. Guilfoil, Dr. Thos. F. Laurie, and Alan D. Stout. Dr. Laurie moved from the city and Mr. Stout was compelled to devote his time to assist in the organization of the N. Y. Guard Company to replace the federalized Company M, serving therein as Second Lieutenant until it went out of existence. The others continued as active members of the committee. This committee as its name indicates, would, under certain circumstances, have had a variety of duties, but as this remained an orderly community and as we were spared any active hostilities within our borders, its duties were light. We assisted in procuring recruits for the N. Y. Guard and for the Federal Army and, as far as our scope permitted, in other activities connected with the prosecution of the War; however, the work that absorbed most of the energies of this committee was the organization of a company of men for Home Guard duty con- sisting of those who, either because of age or other disqualifications for active service, yet felt that they had enough energy and stamina to perform military duty within certain limits and who felt that they wanted to do "their bit." The World War had now been in progress three years ; Nation after Nation had been drawn into the conflict ; we, alone, of all the Great Nations had thus far escaped. Secure, as we fancied, in our isolation, remote from the theater of hostilities, we were slow to perceive in an ultimate Germanic victory an imminent danger to our own country and our democratic institutions. Events that should have been illuminating we did not correctly interpret. Insult and injury had been heaped upon us provoking diplomatic protests and demands for explanation, to be answered by more or less polite notes seeking as far as possible to cloud the issue, to be followed in turn by increased arrogance and further injury as we hesitated to resort to force to compel respect for plain human rights. A few there were, and one pre-eminent, who, perceiving how and whither we were drifting, urged us with all their might to pre- pare for the inevitable. We paid no heed, with the result that we entered the war without any preparation whatever either in theory or in fact. Then we found ourselves under the necessity of creating huge armies in the shortest possible time with our small force of Reg- ulars and the National Guard as a nucleus and the only forces im- mediately available. Report of Committee of Defense and Security 55 This necessitated the federalization of the National Guard, denuding the States of military forces, placing upon each State the burden of building one anew to be used specially within its borders. The State of New York prepared to enlist new State Guard companies, and its Legislature, forseeing the need of a second line of defense, or reserve, in the month of April, 1917 passed an act to amend the Military Law, providing for "the service and enrollment in organizations of the reserve militia, of persons volunteering for such service, not otherwise subject to military duty." Auburn, a manufacturing city in the heart of the State of New York, felt that it could not expect immunity from disturbances incident to the abnormal conditions brought on by the war, as a protection against which, a force in addition to and supplementing the Police force should be created. Before any definite action could be taken by this committee several organizations, urged by their anxiety over reports of emisaries and spies then believed to be roaming about the country with design to incite uprisings and destruction in the interest of Germany, had called upon the Mayor volunteerng for service. The chairman of the Mayor's Committee procured from the Adjutant General all information available, which at that time consisted of Circular No. 1, dated April 25, 1917, Oath of Allegiance and Enrollment blanks, and blanks for lists of signatures, on re- ceipt of which this committee proceeded without delay to plan for the organization of the reserve force which was to consist of one company of infantry. The Circular provided for each unit a maximum enlistment of 100 and a minimum of 57 under two classifications, A and B, the former of citizens between the ages of 18 and 45, the latter, between the ages of 16 and 18, and 45 and 64. These units when organized, recognized and mustered, were to be under the control of the Govern- or of the State, subject to such Regulations as he might prescribe ; they might be ordered for duty in aid of the Civil authorities by the Governor, upon the request of the Sheriff of the County or the Mayor of the City when it was made to appear to the Governor that there existed a breath of the peace, tumult, riot, or resistance to process of the State, or imminent danger thereof. These units might also be ordered, in case of necessity, by the Governor to re- port to the Mayor, Sheriff, or other local officer to perform any other duty. We had no headquarters, no recruiting office. The lists were taken by members of the committee and other aides and circulated for signatures; a number signed without solicitation— we recall that the chairman of the Mayor's Committee was the first volun- teer. The greater number of signatures were obtained in this man- 56 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee ner ; then by means of generous publicity in the two daily papers and several public meetings in the Court House our lists were filled to the maximum number. The Oath of Allegiance and Enrollment blanks were filled out, the oaths administered by Notaries who volunteered for this service. In this occasion it will be of interest to record that, while in the main those who were approached sympaithized with the object of the organization, not a few had mental reservations as whether all people alike should be amenable to the law. They were quite willing that the law be strictly enforced against one class but in- different as to its application to the other; they did not wish to ally themselves with a body that might be charged with compelling the latter to obey the law; however this is not the first time that this sentiment has come to the surface ; it has long been known to exist by those who have been interested in military affairs. One rather curious case was that of a man who seemed inter- ested but upon being informed, in answer to the question as to what "there was in it," that there were no salaries or wages paid for time spent in drills, said, that he did not care to join — ^that he did not wish to spend his time for nothing. Needless to say, we neither desired nor did we want men of his attitude. The Oath of Allegiance and Enrollment blanks, as issued, con- tained no stipulation as to duration of service or a physical exam- ination; these were later added — on the face, typewritten "this enrollment is binding during the emergency," and on the back — "I have examined and find him physically fit to perform his duties as a member of the Home Defense Corps" — ^the latter to be signed by the examining physician. On inquiry as to just what this examination would mean, we were told that a "cursory examination" would suffice. The good doctors of the city who volunteered their services, were somewhat puzzled as to how rigid or how lenient an examina- tion would satisfy the State ; however. Dr. John Gerin, an old sur- geon of the National Guard, came to the rescue with a plan as to scope, which was adopted and the examinations conducted in ac- cordance therewith. We here think it eminently fitting to express our appreciation of the sei'vices of the late Dr. A. H. Brown who was prominent in this as well as in other activities connected with the prosecution of the war. During the period of the enlistment the chairman of the Mayor's Defense Committee was in frequent correspondence with Albany, for, as the rather incomplete blanks indicated, everything there was being done in a hurry and under high pressure. There was much that was not clear, especially as to equipment and head- Report of Committee of Defense and Security 57 quarters. Brig. Gen. George R. Dyer, in especial charge of Division of Reserve Organizations, made a trip through the State, a sort of educational campaign. Dr. Stewart and the chairman of this com- mittee heard his Rochester address. While we knew that such or- ganizations were to be maintained without expense to the State we also knew that the State was in a position to do things for the organizations without incurring any extra expense, such as furnish- ing headquarters, as the armories would soon be vacated by the National Guard Companies. We knew also that our company would have to be uniformed and equipped to be of any real service. We learned from Gen. Dyer that all the State could do in the line of equipment was to provide the company with arms, which it hoped to do with the aid of the Federal Government — ^that it expect- ed to be successful in obtaining this aid, but was not certain ; that we would probably be able to get the use of the Armory drill hall for drill purposes, but that the uniforms we would have to procure ourselves, either by purchase or with the aid of the Supervisors of the County. The uncertainties existing caused confusion and delay; for instance, we had a communication dated May 3, 1917, which left the question of physical fitness of the applicant to the discretion of the County Committee, leaving it optional as to whether such an examination be held, stating "it is, however, not required." Endeavoring to comply with the spirit of the instructions we looked over the applicants as carefully as laymen could, question- ing them as to disabilities which we knew would unfit them. By circular letter of June 1, 1917, we were notified that a physi- cal examination would be required but giving no particulars. On June 19th we were again notified that such examination would be necessary stipulating that it "should be what is known as a cursory examination," and that we should have the sentence previously quoted typewritten on the back of each Oath and Enrollment blank. In May we received the specifications for uniforms which were to be similar to the Army uniform in style but of field gray or slate color, the coats with turn-over collars and open lapels (shoulder straps omitted), tan shoes, canvas leggings, and gray hats with green hat cords ; the color and details of the uniforms were such as to make them distinctive and unmistakable. The Circular of June 1st called attention to the fact that on July 17, 1917, the Federal Government would call into service all the National Guard leaving the State without military protection and urged the muster in of the Home Defense Corps ; endeavoring to comply with this urgent request and learning that it might be possible to have the company mustered in on July 23d, Dr. Stewart sent out a hurry call for the chairman of this committee ; there was a general scurrying around to gather together all the papers, which. 58 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee to expedite completion, had been divided up between several mem- bers of the committee ; we hurried our lists and the signed Oaths of Allegiance and Enrollment to Albany with some of the Enroll- ment blanks incomplete as to medical examination (owing to the .misunderstanding in regard to the examinations) only to receive in reply a communication dated July 26th regretting that our papers were not in proper form, that they were returned under separate cover, and stating further that the time for mustering in without uniforms had been extended to August 5th. As we did not have the executed and signed Oaths and Enroll- ments which represented the greater part of the work (they were not received here although claimed to have been sent) we were worse off than before. Then on August 6th we received notice that Captain Geo. A. Elliott of the Headquarters Company, 3d Infantry, then stationed here, had kindly consented to muster in the Home Defense Corps ; that we communicate with him, etc., etc. Captain Elliott was interviewed ; it appeared that he was some- what in the dark as to just what he was to do ; seeking further light he was promptly referred back to his instructions, already in hand, — ^the said instructions appearing to him more opaque than ever. While in this quandery his Regiment was ordered away relieving him, automatically, of a situation he probably did not enjoy, leav- ing us in a fog, with our signed lists in hand but minus the papers that were the most important. Of the former we had made copies, prudently as we thought ; of the latter copies would have been of no value. We were now less ready to be mustered in than before; a new Oath of Allegiance and Enrollment blank would have to be filled out for each man, the Oath administered anew, and each man would have again to undergo a physical examination before we again had our necessary papers. However, we were not discourag- ed; a committee had been appointed to suggest a captain or other officer for the company and another meeting was called at the Court House, August 31, 1917, to hear the report and take action thereon. This Committee recommended Mr. Sidney J. Aubin, who had served with the National Guard on the Mexican border, for First Lieutenant in command of the Company; Mr. Aubin was duly elected and presented, making a brief speech of acceptance ; he re- quested all members who had had any military experience what- ever to meet him directly after adjournment when it was decided to hold a further meeting of these gentlemen Tuesday evening, September 4, at the Chamber of Commerce Rooms. Dr. Stewart offered the use of the Seminary Campus for drill purposes and a committee was appointed to try to secure the Arm- ory Drill Hall for drills during the fall and winter. Meanwhile, on the first of September, there had been a change made in the Adjutant General's Office, General Stotesbury being succeeded by Gen. Chas. H. Sherrill. Report op Committee op Depense and Security 59 General Sherill was deeply concerned over the organization of the N. Y. Guard which up to this time had not progressed satis- factorily ; he was giving this matter his special attention to the ex- clusion, for the time being, of the Defense Corps — ^the matter of lesser importance. For a time we were in doubt as to whether he regarded the latter as even desirable. General Orders No. 40 dated September 1, 1917, promulgated by the Adjutant General created a stir as witness Circular No. 3 dated September 13th. , This dealt with questions and answers con- cerning the N. Y. Guard and the Home Defense Corps, from this time on to be known as the Home Defense Reserves with duties the same as originally prescribed, the relation of one to the other, the possible conversion of the latter, in units or as individuals, into the Guard, and leaving the profound impression that the reserves had been pushed down one notch lower in scale of importance. All this had its effect on our men already chafing under the delays and it looked as if the whole thing would be a failure unless something were done very soon to "get them busy." In order to find out where we really stood and what the atti- tude of the Adjutant General really was. Dr. Stewart and the Chairman made a trip to Albany to meet, by appointment. Gen. Sherill. They were cordially received; the situation was explained in detail and his opinion requested. He gave it as his judgment that we had better continue our organization and get it into as good a condition of discipline as we could ; he could make no promise as to arms for us — he had had great difficutly getting arms for the Guard. We had a short, pleasant, interview and left feeling that we had at least accomplished some- thing. A little later the company began its drills, out of doors when the weather permitted, and in the Armory, which through the courtesy of Capt. H. R. Kidney, had been assigned to us for one night in the week, when we could not drill outside. At first we drilled on Monday night, but this proving inconvenient for many, the drill night was changed to Wednesday and so remained to the end. Lieutenant Aubin of the company assisted by others, notably Sergeants Arthur W. Titus and "Jimmy" Dolan (Dolan of the 69th) of the N. Y. Guard, drilled the company until February, 1918; we then felt that the time had arrived when the company could intelligently elect its officers. On February 20, 1918 a meet- ing was called in the mess hall of the Armory and an election held, as per regulations, which resulted in the choice of Lieut. Aubin for Captain, James P. Dolan for First Lieutenant, and Albert 0. Raguse, Second Lieutenant. 60 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee Sergeant "Jimmy" Dolan had become very popular with the men during the time that he assisted in drilling the company, so the men persuaded him to join our "outfit" and triumphantly elect- ed him second in command ; Sergeant Titus, also very much liked, had gone to Watertown in command of detail of the N. Y. Guard to do guard duty for the State. Temporary sergeants and corporals were appointed; we con- tinued to drill regularly and we began to feel that we were making progress in squad, platoon, and company movements. The Gaptain organized a non-com school open to anyone who cared to avail himself thereof and drill manuals were eagerly studied by those who were ambitious of promotion. We much desired uniforms and equipment; we realized that without the former we presented anything but a soldierly appear- ance, to say nothing of the inconvenience of a loose fitting civilian suit. The Chairman of the GoUnty Committee with other members finally enlisted the interest of the Supervisors who came to our rescue by appropriating funds to cover the expense of uniforms, i. e.. Coat, Breeches, Hats, and Leggings, which however, owing to great delay on the part of the contractors, did not arrive until July, 1918. In April, Regulation Descriptive and Property List blanks were received together with a second set of Oath of Allegiance and Enrollment blanks, the former having printed thereon in detail the scope of the physical examination ; all blanks were filled out as of April 10, 1918, physical examinations made by the company sur- geon. Dr. John Gerin; after this our enlistment was official, and weekly reports were, according to orders, sent in to the Adjutant General. Our maximum strength was limited to 90. We were now definitely launched as the 175th Company, Cayuga County, Home Defense Reserves, though still without uniforms or arms. As the spring advanced and weather conditions permitted drills were held on the Seminary Campus and the Y. M. G. A. Field. On June 12, 1918, written examinations for non-commissioned officers were held by Captain Aubin as examining officer on ques- tions prepared by the Military Bureau; the papers were marked by Sergt. C. Earle Race, Military Instructor for the Auburn Dis- trict. June 19, 1918 candidates who had passed the written examin- ation were subjected to a practical examination in field work by Lieut. Alan D. Stout, Go. M, 3d Infantry, N. Y. Guard, and on June 26th the successful candidates for non-commissioned officers were announced as follows : Report op Committee of Defense and Security 61 J. Reynolds Wait — First Sergeant. Sergeants — Richard C. S. Drummond H. G. Latimer, Jr. A. H. Baumline Howard J. Lindsley Paris T. VanLiew Samuel E. Hillger — Supply Sergeant. Corporals — C. Arthur Thomas Harris B. Stewart Robt. J. Hoyle Fred P. Ernsberger Nathan Mendelsohn Robt. H. Nichols Chas. H. Edwards C. I. Buckingham Leroy F. Howland Wm. D. Wheeler Meanwhile bids had been procured and the contracts for uniforms let; there was a long delay on the part of the contractors; finally, in July the first installment arrived to be issued July 25th. Although proper measurements had been taken by experi- enced men, all according to instructions, when the uniforms were tried on it was apparent that but little attention had been paid to measurements. Some suits were marked with the names of those for whem they were intended (or not intended), some with the names of persons on whom they were wished, and others, not at all, with the hope that they might accidentally fit somebody. On issue, there speedily ensued a general swapping with anx- ious inspection by the officers as to fit and appearance; One could wear the breeches, but the coat was too small, another had difficul- ties just the opposite; then perhaps neither could be fitted to a pair of leggings, and the efforts to secure reasonable fits were limited only by the combinations that could be effected with the different articles. Cloth must have been scarce as indicated by the meagerness of the coats that were "rationed out" to the larger men. One general complaint was directed against the breeches — a tightness in the knees — so that a number of the men could hardly be wedged into them, and a few, not at all. After a great deal of correspondence and assiduous worrying of phlegmatic contractors by a dilligent and resourceful commit- tee, the balance of the uniforms was finally obtained, and the alteration of sych misfits as it was possible to transform into wearable articles was effected; the expense incurred in making the alterations was charged to the contractors and the bill ad- justed accordingly. 62 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee The company was finally uniformed and each article was charged to the man on his descriptive list. The uniforms furnished consisted of coat, breeches, belt, leggings, and hat ; the men purchased their own woolen shirts and tan shoes. Later, about the first of November, the State furnish- ed 90 Canadian Ross rifles with bayonets in scabbards ; belts were lacking so that we were never able to use the bayonet except as the men were instructed in fixing it on the rifle. The company had by this time become fairly proficient in the various evolutions ; the discipline was all that could be ex- pected; the platoon and squad commanders began to know their work. Each platoon leader was required to be able to get into quick communication with his corporals and each corporal had a list of the men of his squad and their addresses so that he could reach them in a very short time and it was so ordered that the company could be speedily assembled at need. Mindful of the special duties likely to devolve upon the H. D. R. the Captain instructed the company in guard duty and skirm- ish work. During the summer several practice marches were made, one, the most extended, to Bucks Point on Owasco Lake, and two to the Wait farm on Genesee Road; in each case guards were posted; instruction was given in Guard Mount; on one occa- sion the night was spent at the Wait farm for special instruction in guard duty, a constant guard maintained all night with proper reliefs, and with service conditions in every way simulated. The rifles arrived only a short time before drills were sus- pended, but as much progress was made in the manual of arms as could reasonably be expedited. The non-coms were instructed in the mechanism and care of the arms; and inasmuch as they ar- rived in a condition indicative of but indifferent attention, the non-coms had practical experience in cleaning to their full sat- isfaction. This was, in a way, an advantage, as they learned quite thoroughly how to care for a rifle and what it meant to keep the piece in good order, enabling them in their turn to instruct the men in their charge. No ammunition for the rifles had been furnished, neither was it readily procurable in quantity at the time; however, a dil- igent search in the markets was productive of 60 rounds of am- munition, sporting cartridges with jacketed soft point bullets; these were unloaded and the shells re-loaded, according to a formula "doped out" by certain rifle "cranks," with a minature charge for indoor practice. This load proved very accurate and furnished some practice for the non-coms, giving them experience in actual shooting and a demonstration of the manner in which the piece functioned. The command appeared in public, armed, but once, — in the parade held on Armistice Day. Keport of Committee of Defense asd Security 63 It will be remembered that this occurred just after the rifles were received and before the men had had any instruction in the manual. On this occasion the pieces were issued in the Armory where the men had been assembled ; the officers gave such instruc- tion as they could in the short time preceding the parade; exer- cising great care in commands so as to reduce the change of pieces to an absolute minimum the officers brought the company through without any serious breaks, and very few knew that the men had never had arms in their hands before. November 11, 1918, brought the Armistice ; every one seemed to feel that it was but the fore-runner of peace ; drills were conducted for a few weeks longer; the officers meanwhile concluding that the company had sufficiently advanced to perform such duty as it might be called upon to do and that therefore it was unnecessary to take the time for further drills; so the last drill was held on December 4th, 1918, further drills ordered suspended for the time being. Uniforms were ordered turned in and the men credited therewith on the descriptive papers. Rifles had not been allowed out of the Armory; they were inspected and put away in racks, there to remain until they were returned to the State. On January 21, 1919, the Adjutant General issued orders for mustering out the command, providing for honorable discharges for all men entitled to receive them. In accordance with this, on February 1, 1919, honorable discharges were granted. The rifles, the property of the State, for the safe return of which several members of the command were under bonds, were carefully packed and returned to the State ; the uniforms were held at the disposal of the Supervisors who later voted to donate them to the men who had worn them, and they were disposed of in that manner. The field music, consisting of 4 bugles, 4 snare drums, with drum sticks and belts, and a pair of cjrmbals, provided for the com- pany by the Mayor's Defense Committee, were returned to the cus- tody of that committee. An eminently proper disposal of these articles, in the opinion of this committee, would be to place them in the custody of the Mili- tary Instructor for the Auburn District for such use in his com- mand as he may see fit and this committee begs so to recommend. The Muster Roll of the 175th Company, Cayuga County H. D. R. is hereto attached. On this roll appear 3 Officers 18 Non-commissioned officers 96 Enlisted men A total of 117 64 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee Discharge to enter the Federal Service, the N. Y. Guard, and for other reasons brought the number actually mustered out to 3 Officers 18 Non-commissioned officers 67 Enlisted men A total of 88 It will be noted that there were discharged To enter the Federal Service 15 To enter the Canadian Army 1 To enter the N. Y. Guard 2 Removal from the County 2 Non-performance of duty 9 A total of 29 A close scrutiny of the discharges will indicate that there were men who enlisted in the company for the purpose of receiving as much training as possible before entering the Federal Service; subsequent letters to the officers acknowledged that the training here received helped them in obtaining promotion more rapidly than would otherwise have been the case. The Muster Roll represents by no means the total number of men who at one time and another signed up ; the first lists would show that many Class A men left only to enter the larger and more important service — some into the N. Y. Guard Company, more into the Army that went across the Sea, and it is a source of satisfaction . to the company to believe that it served as stimulus to Patriotism. Of public appearances in parade as a company we made only two — ^the first, when we were still without uniforms, on the occa- sion of the great Liberty Loan Parade of April 20, 1918 ; the second, uniformed and armed, in the Armistice Day Parade, November 11, 1918. As individuals the company was represented in many of the public functions. Sergeant Howard J. Lindsley officiated as Marshal of all parades held during the war, calling for assistants from the com- pany as needed ; the number of such required and furnished for the parades held during War Savings Stamp Week in June, 1918, was especially notable. In October, 1918, occurred a great children's parade ; this was perhaps the most interesting and enjoyable event of all. The chil- dren of each school were in charge of their teachers, each division in charge of a member of the company with assistants to patrol the line; the work was thoroughly and successfully done, justifying the Report op Committee of Defense and Security 65 confidence reposed in the company by the Superintendent of Schools. The company was represented in all Liberty Loan Cam- paigns, at times as private individuals, at others, as members of the company. During the spring of 1918, in order to further the interests of men drafted or about to be drafted into the Federal Service, the Captain detailed non-commissioned officers to instruct such as wished to avail themselves of the opportunity securing through the courtesy of the Y. M. C. A. its Field for drill purposes. This work was continued up to June, 1918, when by order of the Adjutant General it was turned over to the N. Y. Guard. A number of men reported for these drills, and had they re- alized the benefit that might result from the advantages so freely offered them and what it would have meant to them to go to camp with even a rudimentary knowledge of the duties of a soldier, there would have been many more to attend and those who did come would have been more regular in their attendance. As witness subsequent letters from the camps expressing regret that the writers had not made greater use of the opportunities here af- forded them. A number were promoted shortly after arrival in camp as it was, and, so far as we know, they all made good. Those who took part in this work regarded it as perhaps the most important that the company had been privileged to do. Cap- tain Aubin gave a great deal of time, not only in supervising the work of his non-coms, but especially in attending to the publicity and in an endeavor to interest those for whom it was intended. His efforts should have received better support from those who could best have furthered this most worthy enterprise. Other possible duties were anticipated. The influenza epi- demic proved fatal to not a few Auburn boys in the camps. On re- quest, to render the last honors, the Commanding Officer of Co. M., N. Y. Guard detailed a firing squad with bugler to sound "Taps." At one time, the constant calls upon Co. M indicated a possibility of its not being able at all times to comply. In order to meet such a contingency the Captain instructed non-coms and squads in volley firing and the attendant ceremonies of a Military funeral. We had no rifles ; however, the Auburn, N. Y. Rifle Club placed at our disposal a sufficient number of Springfields to equip a firing squad, and these together with blank ammunition therefor were kept where they could be reached on very short notice. On several occasions military bearers were requested which were fur- nished by our company. In connection with the military organization a civ^ organiza- tion was formed with Captain Aubin as president and Corp. C. Arthur Thomas as Secretary. It was called the Home Defense Rifle Club and was affiliated with the National Rifle Association 66 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee hoping that with the help of the latter rifles might be secured. This proved disappointing as the N. R. A. was at that time not in a posi- tion to do anything along this line. Our dues were very light, intended only to cover incidental expenses and to be used in such functions as would vary the monot- ony of weekly drill and to promote closer relations and good fellow- ship among the members. The financial report hereto attached involves but a small sum and is self-explanatory. We feel that this report would not be complete without a ref- erence to the personnel of the command and a tribute to the fine morale and the feeling of good fellowship that prevailed. As was to l?e expected, there were a number of foreign birth and foreign parentage; representatives of diverse religious beliefs — Jew and Gentile, Catholic and Protestant; there were Ministers and Laymen ; they came from all walks of life — ^the student rubbed elbows with the lettered — ^the professional man and the man who toiled with his hands — All one in a common cause with a common purpose — Truly it was a Democratic body. Some were young but in the main they were men who had reached, or soon would reach, middle age ; some were very near the age limit and several passed it during their enlistment. They were well preserved, these men: It was remarkable, so the company surgeon said, that such a large body brought together should, for men of their ages, uniformly be in such good physical condition. There were a number of large, powerful men ; several had been football players in their college days, one, at least, a famous player of his time. ' Those with foreign names were, as we recall, without excep- tion, strongly built men. We had an average number of medium sized men and some small ones, but all pretty well built and a pretty sturdy set. With a period of outdoor training, regulated to meet the needs of men of their years and habits of life they would have been fit to perform all but the most arduous duties required of a soldier. The men remained loyal to the company through discourage- ments and uncertainties; they were loyal to their officers; they were ready to render loyal service to the community. In the ranks were men high in the various activities that tended to promote success in the war, giving their best without stint to the cause, serving in the company only because they saw therein further outlet for their patriotism. Report of Committee of Defense and Security 67 The war lasted only a short time, shorter than even the most optimistic observer could forecast; except for the sorrow over the dead and wounded we were spared any real suffering. But had the war been long drawn out, as at one time it was feared it would be, we could not have escaped bitter suffering in mind and in body. This in turn would have provoked turbulence and disorder calling for firm repessive measures; conditions would surely have arisen calling for the service of the company. Had such been the case we have no doubt but that this fine body of men under the leadership of officers to whom it was loyal and whom it trusted, would have performed every duty required of it cheerfully and well, and would have in every way justified the con- fidence of those' who knew it best and who took great pride in being part of it. This narrative, for such it has grown to be, rather than a re- port, is intended to be a brief contemporaneous history of the 175th Company, Cayuga County Home Defense Reserves, chronicling the salient features of its inception, organization, and dissolution. It attempts to set forth the uncertainties attending and the difficulties encountered and overcome. If it is so fortunate as sufficiently to interest the reader so as to get therefrom a good mental picture of the events therein de- scribed, the committee will be gratified ; should it succeed in enlist- ing a sympathetic understanding of the object and aim of the com- pany and gain approbation for it, then, indeed, the purpose of this narrative is more than fulfilled. In conclusion, this committee wishes to commend the Captain and officers of the company for their painstaking and successful efforts on its behalf — let the consciousness of duty well and faith- fully done be its own reward. And finally, we wish to thank the Chairman of the Mayor's Defense Committee, a faithful and esteemed member of the com- pany, for his ever ready sympathy, his kindly and efficient help, his valuable advice so generously and courteously given, and we wish him to know that we appreciate that but for his example always before us and. the help that he gave, we would have been unable successfully to carry our work to completion. 68 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee Financial Report of Committee on Defense and Security. Receipts Appropriated by Mayor's Defense Committee.... $100.00 Bugles and Drums, Mayor's Defense Committee 73.37 Sale of Bugles, Mayor's Defense Committee 20.00 $198.37 Disbursements Dues National Rifle Association $10.00 Express on Uniforms 27.44 Bugles and Drums 73.37 Printing, &c 7.80 Expenses representative to Albany 7.98 126.59 Unexpended Balance (not withdrawn from the Treasury of the Mayor's Defense Committee) $66.78 The amount of $100.00 was set to the credit of this Committee by the Mayor's Defense Committee ; then the latter voted to provide a sum for bugles and drums not to exceed $75.00 ; later the bugles were sold for $20.00. The drums are in the hands of the Mayor's Defense Committee to be disposed of as it deems fit. After the organization of the company was perfected the fin- ancing was handled entirely by the company from dues collected from the membership. Roster of 175th Company, Cayuga County : Captain Sidney J, Aubin, April 10, 1918. 1st Lieutenant James P. Dolan, April 10, 1918. 2nd Lieutenant Albert O. Raguse, April 10, 1918. 1st Sergeant J. Reynolds Wait, April 10, 1918. Supply Sergeant Samuel E. Hillger, April 10, 1918. Sergeants Richard C. S. Drummond, April 10, 1918. H. G. Latimer, Jr., April 10, 1918. A. H. Baumline, April 10, 1918. Howard J. Lindsley, April 10, 1918. Paris T. VanLiew, April 10, 1918. Corporals C. A. Thomas, April 10, 1918. Harris B. Stewart, April 10, 1918. Discharged to enter Fed- eral Service, Oct. 9, 1918. Report of Committee of Defense and Security 69 Robert J. Hoyle, April 17, 1918. Discharged to enter Federal Service, July 18, 1918. Fred P. Ernsberger, April 10, 1918. Nathan Mendelsohn, April 10, 1918. Robert H. Nichols, April 10, 1918. Charles H. Edwards, April 10, 1918. Cyrus R. Buckingham, April 10, 1918. LeRoy F. Rowland, April 10, 1918. William D. Wheeler, April 10, 1918. Musician George F. Adams, April 10, 1918. Privates Alano, Antonio, July 3, 1918. Anton, C.'J., April 10, 1918. Discharged June 8, 1918. Non- performajice of duty. Balbirnie, James B., June 1, 1918. Bannon, James E., April 10, 1918. Barthelman, Val, April 10, 1918. Benham, Harry D., July 3, 1918. Blass, James B., April 10, 1918. Bowker, Grenville F., April 10, 1918. Brister, Carl R., April 10, I9I8. Buck, Howard L., April 10, 1918. Discharged September 5, 1918. Removed from County. Beard, Bernard 0., June 22, 1918. Bryson, William, Jr., April 10, 1918. Discharged June 29, 1918 to enter Federal Service. Benham, Earl S., April 24, 1918. Discharged July 3, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Bergan, Thomas B., June 29, 1918. Discharged July 3, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Bowen, Kirk, June 22, 1918. Bower, F. Homer, June 22, 1918. Discharged July 3, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Bristol, J. Howard, June 1, 1918. Discha-rged June 5, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Bicknell, LeRoy C, May 1, 1918. Discharged June 5, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Carr, Frank, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 1, 1918. Non- performance of duty. Carroll, James C, April 10, 1918. Cole, Leslie, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918, to enter New York Guard. Conner, Henry, April 10, 1918. Copodanno, Mdchael, April 10, 1918. Craytoji,, John D.^ April 10, 1918. Discharged June 8, 1918. Non-performance of duty. Crosman, William B., April 10, 1918. Currier, Claude J., April 24, 1918. 70 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee Claudius, Henry R., June 1, 1918. Crocker, A. W., May 22, 1918. Davidson, Ajbraham, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918. Non-performance of duty. Doyle, John T., April 10, 1918. Drake, James T,, April 10, 1918. Drummond, N. L., April 10, 1918. Dorson, Louis, April 24, 1918. Fulton, Robert H., May 1, 1918. Fitzpatrick, Bryan T., April 10, 1918. Foley, Patrick T., April 10, 1918. Fryer, Fred, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918. Non- performance of duty. Frees, Valentine, April 24, 1918. Gerin, John, April 10, 1918. Gibbs, Thomas A., April 10, 1918. Gilboy, William M., May 1, 1918. Ginannettino, Nicolo, May 29, 1918. Harvey, H. G., April 10, 1918. Hudson, George W., April 10, 1918. Hole, R. H. Bertram, May 24, 1918. Discharged September 5, 1918, to enter Canadian Army, lampaglio, Alexander, June 5, 1918. Jordan, Carl F., April 10, 1918. Jordan, Morgan, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 22, 1918. Non-performance of duty. Jackson, Henry, June 29, 1918. Kendall, William A., April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918. Non-performance of duty. Kenny, Ray M., April 10, 1918. Knox, Seymour H., April 10, 1918. Leonard, Lewis F., April 10, 1918. Lockier, Edwin V., May 22, 1918. Merritt, Charles W., April 10, 1918. Metcalf, Harold G., April 10, 1918. Merriman, Arthur J., April 17, 1918. Muggleton, Harry E., May 1, 1918. Near, Wilson J., May 22, 1918. Oropallo, Antonio, May 22, 1918. Peck, Frank H., April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918. Non-performance of duty. Peck, F. Stedman, April 10, 1918. Prentice, F. Austin, April 10, 1918. Powers, Charles R., April 24th, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Plunkett, Thomas E., May 1, 1918. Discharged July 3, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Patterson, William B., May 22, 1918. Reed, Harry L., April 10, 1918. Report of Committee of Defense and Security 71 Schmidt, Francis, May 29, 1918. Discharged July 3, 1918, moved from County. Schafer, Clarence, May 1, 1918. Discharged September 5, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Shaver, Ira C, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918. Non- performance of duty. Shetland, John M., April 10, 1918. Stebbins, J. H., April 10, 1918. Stewart, George B., April 10, 1918. Skinner, Charles W., May 29, 1918. Storke, Charles W., April 10, 1918. Schaertl, George M., April 24, 1918. Strong, Alton M., May 1, 1918. Steele, R.* Douglas, May 1, 1918. Speno, Samuel, May 22, 1918. Discharged July 18, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Taber, John, April 10, 1918. Tallman J. Bradford, April 10, 1918. Titus, John S., April 10, 1918. Toutant, Joseph A., April 10, 1918. Wadsworth, David, 3rd. Discharged October 9, 1918, to enter New York Guard. Williams, Percival H., April 10, 1918. Discharged May 8, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Wickes, Benjamin C, April 24, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918. Entered Government service. Collins, Arthur, September 5, 1918. Copobancio, Michael, July 3, 1918. Carrington, Lynn 0., July 3, 1918. Drennan, James J., July 3, 1918. Moore, Frank W., July 3, 1918. Discharged November 13, 1918, to enter Federal Service. Ogden, Elmer J., September 5, 1918. Skinner, Frederick, September 5, 1918. Willis, Howard, October 9, 1918. Wright, Charles A., April 10, 1918. Wills, Frederick B., July 18, 1918. Respectfully submitted. Committee of Defense and Security, By Samuel E. Hillger, Chairman. 72 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee APPENDIX III Report of Committee on Publicity From the beginning of our work an effort was made to arrange for publication in the daily newspapers of such matter as seemed suitable for the purpose of informing the people of the city as to facts and circumstances pertaining to the war and our local atti- tude and activities with respect to the war, w'hich all of us regard- ed as important to have our people clearly understand. In a gen- eral way it is believed that the efforts put forth in this regard were effective. Certainly we received the heartiest co-operation at the hands of the staffs of the two local newspapers. In this same connection an effort was made at all times to guide public sentiment wisely, as we regarded it, in respect to local war activities and the conduct of them, and in respect also to the atti- tude of support which it seemed desirable to have this community adopt and exhibit in matters relating to the national war program. It is believed considerable value is to be attached to the matter which in mo^ excellent fashion the local newspapers published for these purposes at the request and uiider the inspiration of our Sub- committee. Much publicity matter from government bureaus was received for publication. Discrimination in the use of this was sought to be exercised. Some of it was distributed to the newspapers with request to publish and some of it was not used. It was found that most of the newspapers were receiving this same matter, and that the judgment of the newspaper editors could be rdied upon invari- ably in the matter of selecting the useful and the good from the poor in this mass of literature thus distributed. Mention might be made of the fact that we sought generally to avoid in many cases the connecting of the Committee with the publicity matter which we procured to be published. We felt that our purpose might be defeated if an aspect of officiousness should be given to this particular part of the Committee's Work. In other words we were not always seeking "credit" for the Committee in respect to a great deal of this publicity. It is possible that the Com- mittee may have lost something by way of iprestige because of this policy, but we adopted it and followed it nevertheless. If it were now regarded as profitable, it would be easy as well as interesting to go through files of the local newspapers for the past two' years and select and assemble the articles published in those newspapers that actually owe thir origin to our Committee. No attempt has ever been made to do this. The circumstance is mentioned merely to recall and to record that a great deal of work done by the Sub- committee on Publicity does not upon the face of things seem to have proceeded from them at all. Report of Committee on Food Conservation 73 Really much of the credit for what has been done and accomp- lished by our Committee is due, not to its Chairman, but to those faithful, and hard-working members of the Sub-committee who served upon the staffs of the local newspapers. They were ever ready to adopt suggestions, they were tireless in their activity and they exhibited at all tinjes great skill and tact in executing the tasks which they undertook and agreed to perform. Another part of our work was in connection with public meet- ings. It fell to us to arrange for many public meetings, not only in the city but also in the county. We were also called to pirovide speak- ers for patriotic meetings of one sort or another in many places. No complete record has been kept of these meetings, but from available memoranda it is evident that we arranged for, or sent speakers to, or ourselves addressed, not less than one hundred meetings in the city and county. Another part of our work was with the school children of the city. We believed that it was important to have the childrefn ade- quately instructed in patriotic ideas and exercised in patriotic prac- tices, for their own sakes and for the reflex influence upon their^ homes. In this matter we were ably and enthusiastically seconded by the school authorities and teachers. Indeed, when we entered this field of service we found the way already prepared and every thing in readiness for an energetic and effective performance of it. From the first we found but little for us to do. We take this occasion to pay a deserved tribute to the patriotism of our teaching force in the city and to their valued contribution to the prevailing and dominating patriotic spirit. It is impossible adequately to estimate the great service they have rendered our Cause in this critical period. Respectfully submitted, Richard C. S. Drummond, Chairman, Sub-committee on Publicity. APPENDIX IV Report of Committee on Food Production and Conservation July 1st, 1917 to January 1st, 1919. The Mayor's Defense Committee believing that food should be conserved and properly used, requested the writer to form a com- mittee and to present a plan whereby these results might be accom- plished. The State college of Agriculture representing the Federal and State Governments offered to pay the salary of a trained wo- man to have charge of the details of a plan to inform the women 74 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee of the city and county as to the proper use of available foods in an endeavor to conserve and furnish proper food nutriment to the members of the home. The expense of this agent was borne to the extent of fifty dollars per month from the budget of the Mayor's and County Defense committees. The Farm Bureau Association also co-operated in furnishing office and office facilities and in lend- ing its efforts in perfecting organization plans so that the work might be brought to the attention especially o| the women. War emergency work in Food Conservation was begun in Cay- uga County and the City of Auburn on July 1, 1917, under an ex- ecutive Committee of women, and the chairman of this sub-commit- tee. The county, outside of the city was divided into 20 community centers, subsequently increased to twenty-seven active centers, with a local committee of women in charge. During the first eight months of the work a great amount of time was spent on demonstrations. In this way the work was brought before large groups of people, and an active campaign for canning of vegetables was conducted. Thirty demonstrations were given in the city and sixty-four in the county. By records which were obtained at each meeting it was found that the canning of vegetables alone was increased 296 per cent. These demonstrations covered not only canning of meats, vegetables, and fruits, but the value of milk as a food ; meat savers ; storage and cooking of vege- tables ; wheat-saving breads, fireless cookers ; and pressure canners. As the work progressed the exhibits seemed to accomplish more than almost any other method of approach to the people. Twenty-five of these were held. The first exhibit was on milk, showing the value of milk as a food. This was held in a window of a large hardware store in Auburn and attracted a great deal of interest and attention. Charts were used and various merchants co-operated by furnishing the amounts of food necessary to equal one quart of milk in lime, protein, and calories. Small exhibits were taken to many of the meetings to illustrate wheatless breads, sugarless and meatless dishes. An attractive ex- hibit of canned vegetables and small fruits was arranged in one of the store windows in Auburn in connection with an exhibit by the City Gardener. Three other large food exhibits were held in con- nection with county picnics, the women in the local communities furnishing the sugarless and wheatless products as well as the recipes. Canned vegetables, meats, and dried products also formed a part of these exhibits. In connection with the vegetable and meat canning exhibition, the pressure canner, which had been purchased by funds donated by the County Home Defense, was shown and or- ders taken for its use. The County Fair exhibit was similar to those given at county picnics. Over five thousand bulletins were given out at the fair and county picnics. An unusual feature in connec- tion with the sugarless exhibit was four dolls dressed in French, Report of Committee on Food Conservation 75 English, Italian, and American costume. In front of these dolls was a printed card telling the amount of sugar used per month by each country. In co-operation with the merchants of Moravia it was possible to arrange a model farm home kitchen at the Fair. Various labor saving devices were exhibited, all of these practical from the stand- point of the average income. One important point shown was the proper height of the work table and sink. These same merchants also donated furniture to equip a comfortable rest room, where we arranged to serve iced tea on three afternoons. An exhibit of canned and dried products was arranged at the State Fair in connection with the Farm Bureau. Miss Bowen helped in the wheat-saving bread booth demonstrating and exhibiting wheat-saving breads. A junior vegetable canning club furnished material for the canned fruit and vegetable exhibit, and the Italian club which had been formed in Auburn also exhibited their products. By the assistance of the members of the Mayor's Defense Com- mittee money was obtained with which to start a war kitchen. This was operated by a competent worker and used for canning and drying products from July 1st to October 1st, 1918. Over twelve thousand cans of fruit and vegetables were canned during that time and over 560 women came to the kitchen and used it free of charge to preserve their own products. During the first summer of the work four pressure canners were purchased through the Home Demonstration Agent's office. These are being used not only for canning but for cooking of meats. The advantages of the home-made fireless cooker were shown and eight of these were made as a result of one demonstration. Women were taught how to arrange their kitchens for convenience and the saving of labor, also dietetics and special diets for invalids and the sick. A War Bread Contest was held in one of the schools, the pupils of the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades competing. Prizes were of thrift stamps and went to boys in each case. Renovation and re- modeling of clothing, suitable house dresses and millinery have been subjects for instruction. Assistance has been given in filling out programs for Grange meetings, missionary and Ladies' Aid Society meetings as well as Cornell Study Clubs. In several instances there has been requests made and granted for help with pressure. cookers and special sug- gestions in ways of preserving fruits and vegetables, as well as methods of stretching small amounts of meat and vegetables to make palatable dishes. At all demonstrations and meetings a special effort has been made to give the value of good food well prepared and well digested. At this time an explanation has been given of the digestible pro- 76 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee cesses of different types of food emphasizing their function in the diet toward good health. The need of Home Nursing was very much emphasized during the epidemic of Influenza in 1918 and later. The co-operation of the City Hospital was secured and dem- onstrations and talks have been given in various places by a nurse. The following organizations have co-operated^ The Counly Home Defense Committee in paying local expenses of the Agent during the year. The Farm Bureau Association in furnishing of- fice room, part of stenographic help, telephone and transportation wherever possible. In this last item there has been unusual co-op- eration at all times. The Parent-Teacher's Association of Auburn helped to establish centers in the schools and to start the Auburn War Kitchen. The Grange in helping to launch the work in the county and Pomona in passing a resolution to have the work con- tinued . The County W. C. T. U. voted to spend ten minutes of each meeting on conservation. The Homemaker's Club of Auburn gave a share of their program to Food Conservation. The county papers have given publicity to all meetings and reports. The churches have allowed meeti'ngs to be held and the ministers have announced dates for meetings, beside urging conservation. Two men's clubs re- quested conservation dinners and the Agent has furnished the menu and helped direct the preparation of the food. At the time of the epidemic of Spanish Influenza it was im- possible to do any work in the county because of quarantine. The agent offered herself to the Red Cross to help wherever needed. Special work was done in the diet kitchen at the Neighborhood House where an emergency hospital had been established. Food was prepared for the foreign families in the surrounding districts, as well as for the patients. Home visits were also a part of the work. During September, 1918, a meeting of the Advisory Council which is made up of County Community committees was called to consider a permanent organization of the women in the county, corresponding to the Farm Bureau for the men. The organization and projects were carefully explained and the representatives from nineteen communities were all anxious for the work to be done. These plans could not be carried out effectively at the beginning because of the epidemic of Influenza, but a small membership was secured previous to January 1, 1919 and the women are actively engaged in doing community work. A great amount of apprecia- tion and interest has been expressed by them of the value of the work which had been done in the eighteen months in their com- munities. In conclusion it may be said that had it not been for the efforts of the City and County Defense Committee through their very loyal and active chairman. Dr. Stewart, this work would never have been accomplished. This report would not be complete without an ex- Report of Committee on Home Gardens 77 pression of appreciation for the efficient and pains-taking work of Mary E. Bowen who directed through personal contact with the people this particular piece of work in Cayuga County. As the women of the County have come forward, worked for a county ap- propriation and put this work on a permanent basis, it shows that our work has not been in vain and as a result Of our war activities we have left an organization which is working for better homes and more wholesome communities throughout Cayuga County. Respectfully submitted, E. C. Weatherby, Chairman, Sub-committee on Farm Production and Conservation. APPENDIX V Report of the Committee on Home Gardens covering work done during the years 1917 and 1918 In April, 1917, the following were appointed by the Chairman of the Mayor's Defense Committee to act as a sub-committee on Home Gardens : C. A. Clark, S. L. Depew, Jay S. Hunter, John Van Sickle, J. R. Wait, E. C. Weatherby, Mrs. David Wadsworth, Jr. The Committee organized and elected Mr. E. C. Weatherby, Chairman. John Mcintosh was elected Secretary. Mr. A. R. Tin- nerholm of Cornell University was chosen to direct the Home Gar- den Work in Auburn for the year at a salary of $400.00 for the season. An office was opened in one of the rooms of the Auburn Savings Bank Building, which was donated by the bank for the purpose. The co-operation of the local newspapers was solicited and the people of Auburn and vicinity were made acquainted with the necessity of putting every foot of idle land to work. The news- papers responded in a most patriotic fashion, and gave a great deal of publicity to the work, and printed, without charge, articles which were prepared by the city gardener and others, telling about the great importance of the raising of vegetables, giving specific information relating to the planting of all kinds of vegetables, giv- ing lists of land available, etc. To stimulate additional interest a large public meeting was held in the Court House; speakers were present from Cornell University and from the Home Defense Com- mittee, and considerable enthusiasm was aroused. 78 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee A survey of the vacant lots in the city, which would be desir- able for gardens, was made. Owners of the more desirable lots were requested to donate them to the people who would like to work gardens and who had no land of their own. These lots, together with many other pieces which owners volunteered to give, were listed in the city gardener's office, and any one who desired a piece of ground on which to make a garden secured the same by applying at the office of the city gardener. Some 88 acres of land inside the city limits which had never before been used for garden purposes were put under cultivation. The work of the Secretary, Mr. Mc- intosh, was invaluable in securing and in assigning lots to those applying for them. In addition several large tracts just outside of the city were secured for factories and several of them proved to be remarkably successful. Special mention should be made of the fine garden of some 12 acres which Robinson-Bynon Shoe Co. employees had. It was estimated that over 100 acres were put into gardens by individuals independently of the committee, but as a result of its activity. For the convenience of the people working gardens a list was kept of the teamsters available to do plowing, fitting, etc., also the names and addresses of those teamsters who had manure available for fertilizer, also the kinds of seed, spraying materials, commercial fertilizers, etc., kept in stock by local dealers. Mr. Tinnerholm worked untiringly, often times from 5 o'clock in the morning until 9 at night. He gave advice to any one and every one on every kind of subject pertaining to gardening. He considered that he was doing a patriotic service as well as earning a salary, and the Committee cannot emphasize too highly the splen- did spirit with which he did this work. Garden Clubs were organized in various parts of the city, the school districts being used in which conveniently to divide the city. The co-operation of the Parent-Teacher's Association was sought and great aid was rendered by them. Mr. Tinnerholm spoke on Garden work in schools, churches and clubs, and presented his sub- ject in a very clear manner. From time to time posters were placed in the stores and public buildings, and everything possible was done to stir up the community to plant gardens. Some 1,500 pamphlets on War Gardens, and as many more Cornell bulletins on garden subjects were distributed. Prizes were offered in each of the dis- tricts, and late in the season a careful survey of the gardens in the city was made by Mr. Tinnerholm. During the survey prizes were awarded to the successful competitors. The survey showed that some 1,200 gardens were being worked within the city. An exhibit of garden products was displayed in the Cayuga County National Bank and attracted much attention. Mr. Tinnerholm enlisted in the service of the United States Government, and the Government called him before his work could be completed. But by his exten- sive and varied activities, his exceptionally good organization of the work, and his unusual high fitness for the task, he accomplished large results. Report op Committee on Home Gardens 79 In the spring of 1918 the personnel of the Committee was changed to some extent, and those composing the Committee were C. A. Clark, John VanSickle, E. C. Weatherby, H. D. Hervey, E. J. Flynn with J. R. Wait as Chairman. The Committee had the same headquarters in room 201 of the Auburn Savings Bank Building as in the previous year. This was again generously donated by the Auburn Savings Bank. Ellis Meaker acted as Secretary for two months followed by Weir Stewart, both leaving their positions when called to the service. The Committee employed Mr. Chan- ning H. Morrill to supervise the Garden Work in Auburn for the year. Mr. Morrill had had considerable experience in truck garden work, and was a student at Cornell University. The plan of the work was about the same as that of the previous year. More gar- dens were planted than the previous year, and a greater number of vacant lots were put under cultivation. Mr. Morrill's survey of the gardens at the close of the summer's work showed that there were 2,000 gardens within the city. Special efforts were made during the year to interest school children in Garden Work. One very large successful school club was held at Lincoln School. Mr. Morrill spoke at a number of meetings which were called for the purpose of interesting people in Garden Work, and in giv- ing information about the raising of vegetables. Newspapers and other agencies were freely used for publicity purposes. A Ford automobile was purchased to assist Mr. Morrill in making his calls. The financial statement follows: During the summer of 1917, the expenses were: Salary of supervisor, $400; depreciation of his motorcycle, $40; upkeep of motorcycle, $22.24; telephone, light, etc., $31.49; signs, printing, stationery, etc., $66.08; incidentals, $34.41; a total of $594.22. These expenses were met by an appropriation of like amount from the Mayor's Committee. During the summer of 1918, the expenses were: Ford car, $300; upkeep of car, $197.53; telephone and light, $29.45; salary of supervisor, $419.10 ; postage, stationery, signs, etc., $53.55 ; and incidentals, $38.90, a total of $1,038.53. "To cover these expenses, there was received from the State Department of Agriculture, $156.25, proceeds from the sale of Ford car, $200.00, and appropria- tions from Mayor's Committee, $1,025. Of the Appropriations from the Mayor's Committee, the sum of $342.72 was not needed and was not drawn from the Mayor's Committee treasury. The cost of this work to the Mayor's Committee for the two years was $1,276.50, an average of $638.25. The result was probably a pro- duction of several thousand dollars' worth of garden products, which otherwise would not have been grown. J. Reynolds Wait, Chairman. 80 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee APPENDIX VI Report of the War Kitchen Committee There were two lines of work conducted by the committee, one the conservation of food-over-plus in the markets, especially the Public Market, and stores which otherwise would have gone to waste, and the other was the aiding of housewives in their conser- vation of fruits and vegetables by instructing them in the work or by doing it for them at a reasonable charge. Both required the supervision of skilled experts, some of whom were loaned to us by the State and most of whom were volunteers, and all of them wrought with enthusiasm and devotion. Miss Mary C. Bowen, the County Food Conservation Agent and her assistant. Miss Ruth Chandler, were allowed by the State to give us much of their valu- able time for directing this work and to put at our disposal, free of charge, pressure canners and other equipment. The First Presbyterian Church gave us for this work the free use of their large and completely equipped kitchen in their Chapter House. This was conveniently located to the market, and the stores, and easily accessible to those who wished to use it. For this invaluable assistancfe the committee is most grateful to the officers and members of that church. There were 189 women who used the kitchen and did the en- tire work themselves, which up to August 20th was allowed without charge and for which after that date a small fee was charged to cover the cost of fuel and other minor expenses. These women canned 975 quarts and 1,096 pints of vegetables, 53 quarts and 51 pints of fruit. We canned for 67 women who did not have the con- veniences at home or the time for the work, 194 quarts, 265 pints of vegetables, 43 quarts, 67 pints of fruits, and 310 glasses of jelly. A reasonable charge was made for this work. Instruction was given in modern drying processes, and in so doing, we dried, and thus conserved, 49 pounds of fruits and vegetables. The cost of this War Kitchen was as follows : For raw material, $189.42; labor, $141.31; heat and light, $33.42; telephone, $17.23; supplies, $34.87; sundries, $18.06; a total expense of $434.31. The receipts from the sale of our products were $381.69, thus leaving as the total net cost of all the educational work and the actual conserving of food, $52.62. The Mayor's Committee made an appropriation of $400 for this work. Of the amount from this appropriation which was drawn, $77.49 was returned to the treas- ury of that committee, and $269.89 was not drawn from the treas- ury. Report of Military Memorial Committee 81 Not only was much food conserved, but many women learned new and improved methods of preserving fruits and vegetables. Edwin F. Metcalf, Chairman. APPENDIX VII Report of Military Memorial Committee of Cayuga Co. To THE Defense Committee of Cayuga County, and the Mayor's Defense Committee of the City of Auburn : Gentlemen : The Committee appointed by you to take under consideration the matter of a Memorial to the men who have fallen in the service of their country in the recent World War would respectfully make the following report : The Committee consisted of the following gentlemen : George B. Stewart, Auburn ; W. H. J. Parker, Moravia ; Robert Zabriskie, Aurora ; L. H. King, Port Byron ; L. Ford Hager, Victory ; Charles J. Hewitt, Locke; Henry T. Millard, Fair Haven; L. Guernsey Al- len, Summerhill, appointed by the County Committee. George B. Stewart, William H. Seward, Jr., John VanSickle, Thomas H. O'Neill, Miles Irish, Julius Krauft, Samuel E. Hillger, Harold G. Metcalf, Auburn, appointed by the Mayor's Committee. The Com- mittee organized by electing George B. Stewart, Chairman, L. H. King, Vice Chairman, Samuel E. Hillger, Secretary, and William H. Seward, Jr., Treasurer. There have been four meetings, the first being held March 17, 1919, and the last August 2, 1919. The following matters have occupied the attention of the com- mittee, and the committee offers to your respective committees the following recommendations : 1. The Location of the Memorial. The committee unanimous- ly recommends that the Memorial should be erected on some suit- able site in the Gounty Seat. 2. The Name of the Committee. In the judgment of the Committee the matter assigned to it was the consideration of a memorial not of war, but of men who served their country in war, and of the men who had served in any branch of the service. Since the term "military" is generic and covers all branches of the service it was agreed that the name of this committee be the "Military Memorial Committee of Cayuga County." 82 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 3. The Service Men who are to be Memorialized. The Committee received no instructions as to whether the memorial was to be confined to the men of the World War, or was to include also, the men who have fallen in other wars. The Com- mittee gave full consideration to the various views expressed by our fellow-citizens and arrived at the conclusion that the men of the Civil War, for whom no county memorial had ever been erected should have a co-ordinate place with the men of the World War in the plans of the Committee. It was thought there should be two separate memorials, or, if one memorial, then it should be so con- structed as to be obviously two memorials, but that the two memor- ials could best be obtained through one effort and be erected at the same time. When it was learned that the Cayuga County Civil War Mem- orial Association was perfecting plans for a campaign for a Civil War Monument, an invitation was given it to unite with us in a common effort. This invitation was courteously declined, where- upon the committee unanimously adopted the following resolution. RESOLVED: That in view of the decision of the Cayuga County Civil War Memorial Association not to accept the invita- tion of this Committee to unite in a joint effort to erect two memor- ials, one a Civil War Memorial and the other a World War Mem- orial, and its desire to prosecute its plans for a separate campaign, this committee cordially accepts this decision and heartily com- mends the project of a Civil War Memorial to the citizens of the county ; Further, that as this Committee has from the first believed that there should be a suitable memorial to the Civil War, we wish the Association the most abundant success in its undertaking and will gladly render it such assistance as we may be able. 4. The Character of the Memorial. Many suggestions have been made in the press and personally as to the form of the memorial, to all of which the committee has given most careful consideration. It is of the opinion that the Memorial should be monumental and artistic in character, rather than utilitarian, but that a definite and final decision should be left for future action. 5. The Site. Many sites within, the County Seat have been discussed at length, but no conclusion has been reached. It is manifest that the character of the memorial and the site are inter-related and that the decision regarding one will in large degree determine the selec- tion of the other. Report of Military Memorial Committee 83 It is unanimously recommended that the character of the mem- orial and the site be left for further consideration. 6. Financing the Undertaking. This matter has also been carefully considered by the Com- mittee. The amount to be obtained will depend upon the character of the memorial, and the sources from which it is to be sought will in a degree depend upon the amount determined upon. This will have to be left for future decision. The Committee understands that there are small balances in the treasuries of the County Defense Committee and of the Mayor's Defense Committee and that there is also a balance in the Auburn War Chest. It appears to the Conimittee, that these organizations, which have so generously and wisely contributed toward the suc- cessful prosecfltion of the recent war and have ministered to the comfort and necessities of the men in the service and their depend- ents, might, with those of their funds, not otherwise appropriated, express their gratitude and that of their constituencies for the heroism and sacrifice of our brave men who have fallen. They have done well by the living, and now it would seem only fitting that they should do something to perpetuate the memory of the dead. The committee believes that no appropriation made by any one of these three organizations would meet with more unqualified approval from our fellow-citizens than a suitable appropriation to manifest the honor in which we hold the men who gave them- selves in this great Cause, and to hand down to the generations yet to come, the fame of their courage, devotion and sacrifice. It is unanimously recommended that the Mayor's Defense Committee and the County Defense Committee be requested to ap- propriate their unexpended balances as a nucleus for the Memorial Fund. John VanSickle, Thomas H. O'Neill, Samuel E. Hillger, and W. J. H. Parker were appointed a committee to bring the matter to the attention of the Auburn War Chest and request from it a substantial appropriation from its funds as a nucleus to the Mem- orial Fund. 7. The Further Prosecution of the Work. The Committee has given attention to the further prosecution of this undertaking and is of the unanimous opinion that it should be prosecuted to a successful completion by a committee appointed by your two committees for this purpose and that said committee should be authorized to become incorporated and be given full power. Messrs. VanSickle, Parker and Stewart were appointed a sub- committee to prepare a plan for incorporation and also a resolution to be submitted to your two committees with a view to the incorpor- 84 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee ation of the permanent committee and the prosecution of this work to a completion by it. This Sub-committee deems it wise to leave the determination of the form of incorporation to the permanent comniittee, the ap- pointment and incorporation of which is recommended in this re- port. V This Sub-committee recommends the adoption by the Cayuga County Defense Committee and by the Mayor's Defense Committee of Auburn of the following Resolution: Whereas, The Committee of eight members each from the Coun- ty Defense Committee of Cayuga County and the Mayor's Defense Committee of the City of Auburn (one person being a member of both committees, thus making the total number fifteen) heretofore appointed for the general purpose of considering and reporting on the question of a suitable memorial for the men of Cayuga County who served in its wars, has made a report of its work and progress, and Whereas, It appears from its report that the Cayuga County Civil War Memorial Association has decided to proceed independ- ently of this Committee to procure funds and erect a Memorial to the men of the Civil War; and Whereas, The report and work of such committee is approved ; Resolved, That said Committee be continued; and That the members appointed by each Defense Committee be authorized and requested to co-operate with the Memorial Com- mittee of the other Defense Committee or such other committee as the other Defense Committee shall appoint, and with such others as may be associated with them, in the formation of a World War Memorial Association of Cayuga County by incorporation or other- wise under whatever name may be chosen for it, for the general purpose of raising funds for and erecting and maintaining at the County Seat a suitable memorial, or memorials to the representa- tives of Cayuga County who served in the World War. Further Resolved, That the balance of funds now remaining in the hands of the Defense Committees, be turned over by their respective treasurers to said World War Memorial Association, or such other association or committee as shall be appointed by them for the general purpose of erecting a memorial, as soon as it shall be properly organized. 8. It is our painful duty to record the removal by death on the ninth day of October, of the Hon. Thomas H. O'Neill, a faith- ful and deeply interested member of this Committee. We recom- mended that William K. Payne be appointed by the Mayor's De- fense Committee to take his place on the Committee. George B. Stewart, Chairman. Report op Military Memorial Committee 85 Action of the Defense Committee of Cayuga County on the Above Report of the Military Memorial Committee of Cayuga County, October 20, 1919 All of the recommendations, so far as they pertained to this Defense Committee, were approved and adopted ; all of the present members of the Memorial Committee were continued; namely, George B. Stewart of Auburn, William J. H. Parker of Moravia, Robert L. Zabriskie of Aurora, L. H. King of Port Byron, L. Ford Hager of Victory, Charles J. Hewitt of Locke, Henry F. Millard of Fair Haven, J. Guernsey Allen of Summerhill, as the permanent committee; the permanent committee was authorized to join with a similar committee by the Mayor's Defense Committee of Auburn and with such others as may be associated with them in the forma- tion of a World War Memorial Association of Cayuga County by incorporation or otherwise under whatever name may be chosen for it as directed in the Report ; and the Treasurer was directed to pay the unexpended balance in the Treasury, after all obligations of the Defense Committee have been met, to the Treasurer of the Memorial Association as recommended in the Report. George B. Stewart, Chairman, Defense Committee of Cayuga County. Action of the Council of the Mayor's Defense Committee on the Above Report, October 21, 1919 All of the recommendations of the Military Memorial Commit- tee's Report were adopted ; William K. Payne was appointed to fill the vacancy in the committee caused by the death of Hon. Thomas H. O'Neill; the present members of the Military Memorial Com- mittee from the Mayor's Defense Committee, namely, George B. Stewart, William H. Seward, Jr., John VanSickle, William K. Payne, Miles Irish, Julius Krauft, Samuel E. Hillger, Harold G. Metcalf, were continued as the permanent Committee; the perma- nent Committee was authorized to join with the similar committee appointed by the County Defense Committee in forming a World War Memorial Association of Cayuga County; and the Treasurer was authorized to disburse the balance in the Treasury of the Mayor's Defense Committee, when it is determined, as recommend- ed in the Report. George B. Stewart, Chairman, Council of Mayor's Defense Committee. 86 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee APPENDIX VIII Report of Welcome Home Committee To the Mayor's Defense Committee of Auburn, N. Y., the Cayuga County Defense Committee; Gentlemen : Your Committee of Arrangements for Returning Auburn Soldiers and Sailors, appointed on November 25th, 1918, respect- fully submits this report of its activities : This Sub-committee, as originally constituted consisted of Richard C. S. Drummond, Sidney J. Aubin, William 0. Dapping, John F. McGrath, P. T. Quigley, Howard R. Merritt, John J. Bres- lin, Howard J. Lindsley, John M. Shetland, Chairman. At the time of its appointment, its duties seemed limited to the preparation of the usual patriotic demonstrations, such as flag-raisings, a parade, and the additional unfurling of an honor flag for the men who had gone out of Auburn and "Old Cayuga" to fight; for those who had been wounded in the service ; and, especially, for those whose lives had been given in sacrifice for humanity's sake. The first meeting of your committee was called to discuss pos- sible plans, and to exchange ideas, for a fitting reception for the returning service men of the County. It met in the old Chamber of Commerce Rooms, in the Masonic Building, on the evening of December 10th, 1918. It was at this initial meeting that the pos- sibilities and great responsibility of your committee became appar- ent. Discussion was replete with suggestions for the honor to be accorded the returning service men ; and while no definite plan of action could be decided upon at that early date, the following con- clusions were reached: your committee accepted, upon invitation, the display rooms of Frank W. Richardson, at 733 Fifth Avenue, New York City, as headquarters of your committee in that city ; Sid- ney J. Aubin was appointed secretary of your committee; and for the purpose of keeping in constant touch with each other, your com- mittee decided to meet twice weekly, and convened thereafter ac- cordingly. The second meeting, held December 13th, 1918, resulted in the leasing of the rooms over 108 Genesee Street, at a rental of $25.00 per month, which space was used as club rooms for the returning service men, and later given the name of the Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo. Anticipating the scope of your committee's activities. Chairman Shetland apportioned special duties to the various mem- bers, as follows : Headquarters: John F. McGrath, Howard J. Lindlsey. Report of Welcome Home Committee 87 Furnishings for Headquarters: John F. McGrath, William 0. Dapping, Howard J. Lindsley, Howard R. Merritt, Richard C. S. Drummond. Publicity : Howard R. Merritt, William 0. Dapping, Richard C. S. Drummond. Headquarters, Special Features and Entertainments : John J. Breslin, Howard J. Lindsley, Sidney J. Aubin. Roster and Registration : P. T. Quigley, Richard C. S. Drummond, William 0. Dapping, Howard R. Merritt. Headquarters and Arrangements in New York City : William 0. Dapping, J. F. McGrath, Sidney J. Aubin, Howard J. Lindsley, Frank W. Richardson. Street Decorations : Richard C. S. Drummond, John J. Breslin. Parades and Grandstands : Howard J. Lindsley, Sidney J. Aubin, John J. Breslin. Military Ball: Entire Committee. Arrangements for Feeding Soldiers En Route Syracuse to Auburn: John F. McGrath, Howard J. Lindsley, Howard R. Merritt. Believing that the financing of your committee's work should be arranged on the basis adopted for other sub-committees of the Mayor's Defense Committee, your committee's chairman made up an initial budget, which was presented by him to the Appropriations Committee who authorized initial expenditures to the extent of $4,000; and approved all plans submitted by your committee. Among these was the plan to make the return to Auburn of Com- pany M and the Supply Company the day of a parade and general celebration. This was done because some date had to be selected, and as these units were the first large units to leave the city and would certainly be the largest units returning at one time, it was thought fitting thus to decide. That occasion would be used to welcome all service men, no matter what unit they belonged to, who were then back from service. Your committee desires to touch upon the difficulty it met with in making this clear to the public that the reception, parade and celebration were in honor of every Cayuga County service man, and not for the boys who went out from Auburn alone. It was found necessary repeatedly to ad- vise the relatives, friends and service men of the County of this; but for all of your commitee's personal efforts it was necessary to go over the entire matter time after time. It is well to state, how- ever, that the situation was thoroughly cleared before the day of the parade, to the satisfaction of the entire County. Posters were prepared by your committee, and distributed throughout the ham- lets and villages of the County, calling the attention of the people to the parade and celebration ; and issuing calls for all service men 88 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee to be on hand for the parade. This poster was also printed in the newspapers. In addition to this, a letter was drafted, mimeo- graphed, and sent to every service man in the County, who was home at that time, urging his presence in Auburn for the parade. A flying squadron of automobiles scoured the County; and repre- sentatives of your committee personally sought the same result. On the evening of December 29th, 1918, your committee for- mally opened the Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo to the service men. They were officially turned over to the "boys" by Chairman George B. Stewart, of the Home Defense Committees, with supplemental remarks by Chairman John M. Shetland, of your committee. The latter, at that time, explained to the service men that cards had been procured from the United States Employment Bureau, which would be at the rooms at all times. Thereafter, any service man seeking a position, or wishing to better his position, filled out one of these cards at the club-rooms, and it was turned over to the Em- ployment Bureau, where it received attention. Many situations were secured for the service men in this way. Registration cards had also been printed; and every service man entering the rooms, was asked to register. These cards gave the name and home address of the man, (if he was still in the serv- ice, his army or navy address, also), the company, regiment, or ship to which he was or had been attached, and the branch of the service in which he was a member. These cards are now filed with Postmaster P. T. Quigley. They were used for the purpose of correcting the Service Register, which, when completed, will be filed with the County records. The service men present, on the night of the opening of the Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo, were requested to inform Frank W. Richardson, your committee's New York City representative, of the location, in New York hospitals, of any Caynga County men. Mr. Richardson received many names, and provision was made for the giving of additional comforts to such wounded men. Amos W. Cooke, a local photographer, donated a large photo- graph of Col. Edgar S. Jennings to your committee. It was ac- cepted with thanks, and hung on the walls of the Ron Dee Voo. On January 7th, 1919, your committee, feeling the necessity of enlarging itself to meet the various problems that demanded its attention, appointed to act with it as members: Maj. E. F. Bald- win and Charles W. Storke, both of whom were assigned to the sub-committee on Parades and Grandstands; Henry R. Claudius, who was assigned to the sub-committee on Street Decorations. J. Guernsey Allen, George W. Benham and Sanf ord G. Lyon, of the Cayuga County Defense Committee, were appointed to act as rep- resentatives of the County Defense Committee. On January 10th, 1919, Harry R. Kidney was added to your committee as chairman of the sub-committee on Police, with William C. Bell and Edgar S. Report of Welcome Home Committee 89 Mosher as other members; and on the 13th of the same month A. D. Smith was appointed and assigned to the sub-committee on Decorations. On the 22nd Carl C. Tallman and S. E. Hillger were appointed. To cover expenses, incurred and anticipated, your committee records with pleasure the cooperation afforded by the Cayuga County Defense Committee in recommending to the Board of Su- pervisors an appropriation of $3,000, which appropriation the Board generously made. Your committee named as the Complete Reception Committee to welcome the returning heroes : the County and Mayor's Defense Committees, Board of Supervisors, Board of Aldermen, and other County and City officials, the mothers and fathers of the men in the service. Red Cross units throughout the City and County, and some others in addition to the regular working committee. It had been the original intention of your committee to hold a great civic parade on the day of the arrival of the Auburn units of the 108th Regiment; but after careful thought it was decided that these plans should be discontinued. It was deemed desirable that every effort be concentrated on the reception of all men at home on the date of arrival of the Auburn units, and that the whole event be strictly military. On Thursday, January 23rd, 1919, a large service flag was unfurled on Genesee Street in front of the Ron Dee Voo, in honor of Cayuga's service men. On this flag were stars for the 3,563 men who entered the service and stars for the 116 men who fell. Your committee named the General Reception Committee of men and women of the County. While many names were selected as representative of the entire community in furthering the plans, many were added later. The General Reception Committee was largely honorary, yet many of its members served with the various sub-committees of your committee in performing the work of prep- aration, to make the entire series of entertainments and events a success. To keep the public fully informed with regard to the activi- ties of your committee, a bulletin was issued March 5th, 1919. This bulletin contained a list of the committee, an invitation to all men who had been in the service to make full use of the Ron Dee Voo, an announcement of the erection of the Victory Arch and Court of Honor, and of the proposed parade on the day of the ar- rival of the men of the 108th. It contained the following informa- tion about the parade : "It is anticipated that every person who served in any branch of the Service, will participate in this parade, wearing the uniform of the service to which he was attached. 90 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee "Arrangements for Parade: Major Elliott N. Baldwin will have charge of the men other than those of the command under Colonel Jennings and Captain Hodder. The latter will arrive in Auburn as a separate unit ; it being the first and largest unit which left Auburn, and in a like manner, the first distinct unit to return; hence, the selection of the date of its arrival as the date for the Home Coming Celebration for the whole County. "These men will report to Maj. Baldwin, at the Armory for organization, the march to the square bounded by the New York Central Station, Chapel, Garden and State Streets. This space will be reserved for the Home Coming Troops, including those under Maj. Baldwin. "The Police Arrangements will be under the direction of Capt. Harry R. Kidney, commanding Company M, State Guard, acting as military police. Chief William C. Bell in charge of the City Police, and Judge Edgar S. Mosher commanding the Fraternal Regiment. These three named persons . comprise the Sub-Commit- tee on Police Arrangements for the entire Home Coming Celebra- tion. "Line of March: Immediately upon detraining the parade will form on Garden Street as follows : Colonel Edgar S. Jennings, Company M, 108th U. S. Infantry under the command of Captain William L. Hodder ; Supply Company under the command of Cap- tsiin Frederick S. Johnston. The parade will pass up Garden Street to Franklin to Seminary Avenue to Genesee Street, through the Victory Arch to Jefferson, countermarching to State Street and to Armory." On the evening of March 5th, 1919, the vanguard of your com- mittee's delegation to greet Company M, left Auburn for New York. It was composed of Chairman John M. Shetland, Howard R. Merritt and William 0. Dapping; and these members departed fully equipped with the Cayuga County and Auburn spirit properly to receive the service men who were expected to disembark from the "Mauretania," bearing the 27th Division, and of which the 108th Infantry was a part, and Company M a unit of the latter. Aware that many relatives and friends intended going to New York to greet the soldiers, your committee published in the local city and county papers detailed information of the most specific character touching the location of the official headquarters of Cay- uga County in New York City, the date of the great parade in that city for welcoming the 27th Division, the place for viewing it, the way to reach the grandstands and the County headquarters, avail- able boarding places, method of procedure for seeing "the boys," division headquarters, schedule of trains, transportation and Pull- man fares. It was while in New York City that the three-named mem- bers of your committee faced obstacles that appeared absolute- Report of Welcome Home Committee 91 ly discouraging. The thousand upon thousand of persons massed to give welcome to the troops aboard the Mauretania, were a veritable blockade to the plans laid out by your committee. New York City and Federal officials were being deluged with requests for privileges to sail down the harbor to greet the incoming trans- port; and an impenetrable barrier of "I came before you" throng temporarily checked your committee's representatives gaming ac- cess to anybody who could grant their desires. However, after a few most trying hours of tact and much more push, your committee's representatives succeeded in obtaining space on the Police Patrol Boat, (New York's Mayor's Welcoming Committee's craft), not only for themselves, but for an Auburn delegation a swell. The importance of 'all this can best be appreciated by the following edi- torial, which appeared in a local paper on March 8, 1919 : "Cayuga County, the Pacemaker. "The repeated statement by Cayuga County boys in the 108th to the reception committee sent down by the Cayuga County Com- mittee : 'It is lucky you met us down the harbor' has shed some light on the welcoming plans which reflects great credit upon the home folks. "In explaining this reference the boys declare that, ever since they were slated for the return home they have been proudly tell- ing the men of other units that Auburn is the only live town in the state, and have pointed to the news in the home newspapers about the projected welcome festivities. "It did not take the men of other cities long to send clippings of Auburn papers to their own representative home communities with the result that Auburn's example spread like wildfire, and the boys from every city but Auburn who had been making wry faces began to perk up as returns came in that their home folks would not allow Auburn to show them the dust. "And that is really why Syracuse and Rochester and Elmira were represented down the harbor in the mosquito fleet that greeted the Mauretania on her triumphal entry. Today the boys announce that even BuflFalo has woke up, and they are planning a fine reception for the Buffalo men when they reach home. "Auburn's delegation led all the visiting delegations, for they occupied the flagship of the welcoming fleet, the Police Boat Patrol with wireless and trained wigwag communications, and from the moment they left the dock until the great reception was over, the Auburnians were in constant communication with Colonel Jennings and the boys of the 108th, the latter communicating their replies. "Had the city and county not been represented down at the sea gate as our heroes returned in a great unit, the boys of other units would have been able to say: 'Where's Auburn?' 92 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee "That is why the Company M and Supply Company boys hung over the Mauretania's decks wild with joy as they found Auburn represented by a very creditable delegation." After the 108th had been quartered at Camp Merritt, N. J,, and your committee's representatives had laid out plans for ac- commodating Auburnians and Cayugans, who were to remain in New York City to witness the Victory Parade there, Chairman John M. Shetland and Howard R. Merritt, on March 12, 1919, left for Auburn, leaving William O. Dapping to see that every plan was put into operation. It should be mentioned, in passing, that your committee found many difficulties in procuring grandstand tickets for those Cayugans who remained in New York City; but it was finally accomplished. Your committee were derelict did it not mention with emphasis the conditions it met with in New York City. Cayuga County would have been sadly neglected in the mat- ter of grandstand seats had not your committee had representa- tives there. The New York City Welcoming Committee originally gave but two tickets to each up-state mayor ; later on, this number was increased to four, which, of course, could by no means meet the demands of up-staters. Had it not been for the generosity of the boys of Company M and the Supply Company, who contributed their tickets to your committee's representatives for the use of the more than 200 Cayugans in New York City, the latter would have been unable to view the parade. Grateful acknowledgement is expressed for the assistance af- forded your committee in New York City, by Frank W. Richardson, and Miss Helen Farquhar, the latter of the Y. W. C. A. Hostess House. Every comfort possible was given by them to the Cay- ugans. Mr. Richardson set up cots in his store; and Miss Far- quhar spared no pains in furnishing acconunodations. Your committee, in compliance with a request from the Di- visional officers, provided transportation from Auburn to New York and return, for men from the County belonging to the 27th Division, already discharged from the service on account of wounds or disability resulting from overseas service, who desired to go to New York to witness the Parade. Upon invitation, proposals for the construction of the Victory Arch, were submitted as follows : William Moseley $2,498.00, John Alnutt $2,585.00, Luke Williams $2,725.00, and your committee subsequently awarded the contract to William Moseley. The paint- ing was done by Frederick Nash, who had previously submitted schemes for material and application. The Arch was erected across Genesee Street between the postoffice and the County buildings, with an approach from and beyond Court, Green and William Streets. The special sub-committee of your committee, of which Henry Claudius, John J. Breslin, S. E. Hillger and Carl C. Tall- man, the last two named having been the designers, prepared the Report of Welcome Home Committee 93 final specifications of it and the twelve pylons for the approaches and appropriate decorations to be in harmony with them. The color scheme was white, upon which were imposed decorative ef- fects in Victory blue, and the street decorations were in the same arrangement of colors; the only other colors having been the na- tional fiags of all the nations fighting on the Entente side during the war. The names of one hundred and sixteen Cayuga County service men who paid with their lives for their devotion to the cause of humanity during the Great War, were inscribed upon the tablets inserted in the Victory Arch. The memorial tablets were simple, but exhibited a dignified beauty. Over them were the words : "In Memoriam," and under that: "County of Cayuga," and then followed the names of the heroes, in gold letters of a size that could be read easily from some distance. The lighting arrangements of the structure, done under the direction of your committeeman A. D. Smith, included flood lights and a number of powerful searchlights employed to flood the Arch at night. Your committee was put to no expense for lights, except for the bare cost of installation; the Empire Gas & Electric Company generously donating the current, of about 25,000 candle-power. A massive bronzed eagle graced the top of the Arch. City Engineer Thomas B. Bergan made the sur- vey for the Arch; and Superintendent of Streets James J. Geherin officially approved the plans and site selected. Due to unusual weather conditions, your committee found the Arch to be in need of repairs and paint; and on July 15th, 1919, funds were procured to make the necessary repairs and painting, which was done at a cost of $210.00. Your committee constructed a large reviewing stand, about sixty feet in length, and which stood in front of the County Build- ing on Genesee Street. Your committee acknowledges with thanks the donation of a check in the amount of $100 from Mr. Floyd M. Wills, of Buffalo, N. Y., which amount was contributed towards the expenses of your committee. This donation was made without restriction regard- ing its expenditure. Invitations were sent, with explanations of the object and pur- pose of the Auburn parade, to every service man who was home before April 1st, 1919, either discharged or on furlough ; and par- ticular efforts were made to explain to them the earnest hope of the community that they turn out for the parade. Therefore, the following notice was prepared and published in all of the local papers February 15th, 1919 : "To Every Soldier and Sailor of Auburn and Cayuga County : "You undoubtedly are familiar with the plans for the Grand Military Review soon to be held in this city, as considerable pub- licity has already been given to the matter in the newspapers ; but 94 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee it is the desire of the committee in charge, to lay the subject before every man who has been in the service, and to ask for his fullest cooperation and assistance in order that this event may be one that will be remembered for years to come. "As it dos not seem wise nor practical to wait until every man is home before allowing the people of Auburn and Cayuga County a chance to see in uniform the men who answered the call of their country in this great struggle, since such a plan would necessarily delay any celebration for months at least", it has been decided to hold a parade of all the men from the various branches of the serv- ice, who are now at home, or will be in the near future. Later on, — probably Peace Day — ^there is to be a combined military and civic celebration that is to outdo anything ever held in the city. But as every member of the committee — in fact, every citizen — feels that some recognition should be made of the fact that so many of our men are returning to their homes, this parade review has been planned, and everyone who is home, either discharged or on fur- lough, will be needed to make the parade a success. "It seems most fitting that this parade should be held on the day of the return of the members of the 108th Regiment of Infan- try, as two companies of that regiment — M and Supply — are known as Auburn companies. It is expected that from that regi- ment and the rest of the 27th Division, approximately 100 or 125 men will return to Auburn in a body, headed by Colonel Edgar S. Jennings, the highest ranking officer from the town or county. "The homecoming of such a large body of men at one time, will, of course, call out a large number of people from the city and the surrounding county and country, to greet them ; and it there- fore seems that no more fitting time could be found for a parade of every man who has been in the service. The great Victory Arch, now under construction, will be completed, and all homecoming decorations will be in place by that time. "It is planned to assemble the men, already home, in uniform, at some central place, probably the State Armory, and form a sep- arate detachment of the men of each branch of the service, such as infantry, artillery, marines, navy, aviators, etc. These detach- ments will be marched to the railroad station, and upon the arrival of the men of the 108th, that organization will join the parade in a short line of march through the business section of the city, with a review at the Victory Arch at the Court House. „ "You are therefore asked to keep your uniform as carefully as possible, for you will need it that day, and also for the military ball a few days later. "Talk this over with your friends; for every man who has been in the service, no matter what his rank or work may have been, wants to be in that parade and show himself to the people Report of Welcome Home Committee 95 of Auburn and Cayuga in the uniform he so proudly wore. So talk it up, and make sure that everybody knows about it. "This is just to let you know about the general plans, and you will receive more definite notice later on. Watch the Bulletin Board in the Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo, and the daily papers for more information." Your committee emphasized that the welcome was for every soldier, sailor and marine in the county; and further: that every man, woman and child in the county, who stayed at home, should consider themselves on the Welcome Home Committee. It was the City and the County that welcomed the boys back, and not the act- ive members of your committee. Your committee were merely per- sons selected to look after the details, the rest was in the hands of all. April 1st, 1919, your committee feels, can be remembered as one of Cayuga County's outstanding days among the many promi- nent days in the history of the County. While it was one of the coldest first days of April that the vicinity has ever experienced, it was one of the most fervently warm in spirit and heart-throbs. On the evening of March 31st, 1919, your committee, having been assured that Company M and the Supply Company would ar- rive in Auburn on the following morning, sent from its members Messrs. John F. McGrath, Howard J. Lindsley, Howard R. Merritt and Sidney J. Aubin to Syracuse with a supply of food, coffee and cigarettes. The train, bearing the returning troops, was boarded at Syracuse, by these members of your committee ; and during the run to Auburn, sandwiches, doughnuts, coffee, candy and cigarettes were distributed by them. Arriving in Auburn, the troops were received at the N. Y. C. R. R. station by your committee. On Avenue A Maj. Elliott N. Baldwin and Capt. Floyd Eldred, assisted by other officers, formed the service men at home, to join the parade. Your committee, believing that Col. Jennings might desire to be mounted, had provided a horse for him, and another for his orderly; but the colonel declined the offer, expressing that it was his wish to walk with the men he had fought with. Colonel Jennings took his place at the head of the column of soldiers. Preceding him, at the head of the column, marched a soldier and sailor bearing a huge laurel wreath, in memory of the boys that had fallen in battle, a tribute to those who did not return. Then came automobiles, driven by young ladies of the community, which bore wounded service men, followed by the Salem Town Commandery Band, and then Colonel Jennings, with his staff, and the colors, Capt. Frederick S. Johnston and the Supply Company followed, with Capt. W. L. Hodder commanding Company M, com- ing next. Following Company M, and splitting the column of khaki, marched the sailors and Marines. Then came men from 96 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee various branches of the service, men who had been over, been wounded, and those who had not had the privilege of going over- seas. These latter were headed by Maj. Elliott N. Baldwin, the ranking officer. The infantry detachment was first, the machine- gun detachment next, the artillery third, the engineers next, and then the air service. On the north side of Genesee Street Civil War Veterans formed a line at the east end of the Court of Honor ; on the south side the Spanish-American War Veterans formed another line; these organizations acting as a guard of honor. Wounded service men, not able to endure the strain of marching, were con- veyed in automobiles generously loaned for that purpose. They assembled at the Armory for assignment to these motor-cars ; and any man who, on account of his condition, was unable to report at the Armory at that time, upon telephoning, was sent for and con- veyed thereto. The total number of service men that arrived in Auburn on the morning of April 1st, 1919, was divided as follows : 66 Auburn men of Company M ; 68 of the Supply Company ; making a total of 134 Auburn men. The line of march was : leaving Avenue A, through Garden Street, Franklin Street, Seminary Avenue, Genesee Street, west under the Victory Arch, to Washington Street, countermarching under the Arch to State Street, and then to the Armory where the parade disbanded. As the column counter- marched through the Arch, Colonel Jennings stepped out of the line and, standing in front of the grandstand, reviewed the men as they marched by. At the Armory Armorer Duckett, and a corps of Red Cross workers, all acting for your committee, the latter under the direc- tion of Mrs. Gorton W. Allen, had prepared a substantial buffet luncheon, and there the troops were refreshed. Tickets for the Grand Military Ball were distributed in the drill shed, by the mem- bers of your committee. The order in which the different detach- ments of the service, as represented by returned soldiers that ap- peared in the line of march, was drawn up by Major Elliott N. Baldwin, Captain Floyd F. Eldred and Capt. Thomas J. Bannon. The line of march was policed by members of the Auburn police force, acting under direction of Chief William C. Bell; and the members of the Fraternal Regiment, under the direction of Judge Edgar S. Mosher. Company M, of the State Guard, commanded by Capt. Harry R. Kidney, acted in a like capacity in the position of honor at the N. Y. C. R. R. Station, where space, to accommo- date the detraining and formation of the parade, was roped off. Complying with your committee's request, householders gen- erally arranged for the customary candle illumination in the win- dows of residences. It also acknowledges the gratifying public and patriotic spirit of the local merchants and residents, as ex- hibited in the matter of decorations, and in the extending of the City's hospitality to the service men from without the city, and their relatives and friends. Throughout the day the City Club, the Report of Welcome Home Committee 97 new home of the Chamber of Commerce, was open to the men in uniform, likewise their families and friends. That the men in uni- form might have refreshments while resting and entertaining their friends, the Red Cross of the County cooperated in adding the home touch; and canteen workers served light refreshments during the day and evening. All clubs, especially the Elks, Masons, Y. M. C. A., and Knights of Columbus, in the city, were open to the service men who were abundantly provided with all sorts of refreshments and smokes. The entire police force of Auburn, was on duty dur- ing the parade; and your committee expresses its appreciation of its effective work in keeping the eager crowds in check. We like- wise are grateful for the assistance afforded by the city firemen under Chief E. J. Jewhurst; and the Boy Scouts in the same ca- pacity. The Street Department, under James J. Geherin, is duly praised for the manner in which it swept the marching spaces clear of snow. Home-coming scenes are preserved through the agency of motion-picture cameras. Pictures were taken as the train bearing the troops steamed into the station, and also as the troops detrained and left the railroad yard ; and at the corner of Northland Garden Streets photographs were taken as the whole parade passed, then at the Victory Arch as the uniformed column passed through ; and views of reunions between soldiers and loved ones were taken at the Armory. Pictures of your committee are also included among those taken. All of these were shown at two of the local theatres, during the week following the parade; and the films were then turned over to the City and County officials, for preservation. The members of your committee, including the Supervisors of the County and the Aldermen of the City, were invited to seats in the reviewing stand at the Court House, where Mayor Koon and Dr. George B. Stewart, Chairman of the County and Mayor's De- fense Committees, with George C. Pearson, President of the Cham- ber of Commerce, and the mothers of the service men, reviewed the parade. Admittance to this stand was limited to the number of cards sent out by your committee. Your committee takes this opportunity of thanking the Lib- erty Band for donating its services during the parade. Your committee swung over Genesee Street, in front of the Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo, the great. County service flag with a blue star marked with the figures "3,563," representing the number of men who went out of the City and County to fight for their coun- try ; and at the top, a star of pure gold, with the figures "116," the number that gave up their lives, those who made the supreme sac- rifice. Blue and white flags, the same size as the official city flag, were used on the lighting-posts ; on the pylons for the Court of Honor ; and in decorating the streets generally, together with American flags. 98 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee Your committee was in receipt of the following letter ; and is desirous of incorporating it in this report : Cayuga County Home Defense Committee "Auburn, N. Y., April 1, 1919. "Mr. John M, Shetland and Others, "Members of the County and City Reception Committee, "Gentlemen : "The Mayor's Defense Committee of Auburn and the Defense Committee of Cayuga County and all our citizens whom we have the honor to represent, thank you most sincerely for your faithful and wise performance of your difficult and arduous task. You have shown commendable judgment in the choice you have made from among the many ways in which our boys might have been welcomed to their home county and city, and while other things might have been done you have done and are doing the right ones and we are pleased. "The Khaki and Blue Ron Dee'Voo is appropriately furnished and is a useful service to the men. The artistic arch and Court of Honor are a dignified and appropriate expression of the honor the home-folks wish to bestow upon the sons of the county and city for their heroism and sacrifice. Those who witnessed the inspiring spectacle this morning of that procession of heroic men passing along the Court of Honor and through the Arch of Victory can never forget it. It will remain in memory and in enduring picture the out-standing feature of all our "welcome home," and will make real to the coming generations the feelings of this grateful people. "Your activities have been many and have taken much time, thought and patience. It is impossible to enumerate them all, nor is your work yet finished. But we desire to take this day of com- mon rejoicing as occasion for thanking you, each one of you, for your cheerful and eminently successful performance of the com- mission we entrusted to you. "Yours most sincerely, Cayuga County Home Defense Committee, Auburn Mayor's Home Defense Committee, (Signed) George B. Stewart, Chairman." The date of the Grand Military Ball was April 21, 1919, Easter Monday. Your committee appreciates the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Fay, who entertained in their home on South Street, many service men and their relatives, immediately preceding the Mill- Report op Welcome Home Committee 99 tary Ball. More than 600 guests were served and entertained. The ladies of the Red Cross also extended the hospitality of their head- quarters in the Woman's Union Building, to service men, their relatives and friends, on the same evening. This thoughtfulness was duly appreciated by your committee. Invitations to the Military Ball were forwarded to every man of the more than 3,500, that left the County. These were addressed to the residences of the men in the city, and to those in camp or overseas, as far as your committee was able to determine their whereabouts, and to those at home throughout the entire county, with instructions on the backs of envelopes "to please forward" if the addressees were not at the place of first address. With the invitation was enclosed a coupon, which entitled the holder ( if in uniform) to two tickets, when the coupon was presented at the Armory on the day of the parade. Tickets for the ball were issued in colors as follows: Blue: for men in uniform, 2 issued upon presentation of coupon; White: were placed on sale to the public at $5.00 each, admitting a couple ; Red : were placed on sale to the public at $3.00 each, single admissions ; Green : were box tickets in sets of six, and sold at $30.00, this was twice the regular price of admission. Supper checks and admission checks to other halls, were attached to all tickets. Supper was served in the Auditorium Annex, the rooms having been donated by the Modern Woodmen ; the supper was prepared and served by ladies who volunteered their services, under the direction of Mrs. Daniel Murnane. Fully 1,400 were served here, and 500 additional at the Osborne House. Music for the ball at the Armory, was by the Salem Town Com- mannery Band ; at the Auditorium supper room, by Bain's Orches- tra; and additional music at Masonic Hall and the Osborne House Grill Room. The Armory drill shed was festooned with Victory colors; also Auburn colors, as it happened, blue and white. The sidewalls were covered with green lattice-work, through which was interwoven genuine Southern laurel, the plant, which, for ages, has signified Victory. Along the west and south sides, the boxes were arranged, white in color, and set off by square pillars, which, like the boxes, were of alabaster white, and surmounted by the flags of the allied nations. At intervals, along the sidewalls, were American shields; while at the breaking intervals, were strung, festoons of the allied colors. At the front of the hall was a bronze statue of liberty, with lighted torch. The large light cages, which overhang the drill shed, were hidden by bunting, carrying out the general color scheme. The decorations were done under the direc- tion of your committeeman Henry R. Claudius. Twenty-seven boxes were erected, besides the two larger ones for the officers of Company M, the Supply Company and Colonel Edgar S. Jennings. Each box contained six seats, and they were greatly sought after. Mrs. Ray S. Messenger acted as the head of a sub-committee to your committee in charge of their sale. As was before stated, the price of each box was $30.00, reservations having been made for those 100 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee making application. They were numbered ; and, of course, the pur- chase of one included admittance to the Armory and dinner at Woodmen's Hall. Moneys received from such sales, were used to finance the ball. The ball, of course, was free to soldiers and sail- ors and marines ; and each was entitled to bring a lady. Thus, box- purchasers understood that when they made such purchase, they were not only paying for themselves, but were likewise assisting in meeting the expenses incurred for the benefit of the boys who had fought for liberty. The admission for civilians was $5.00 each couple; single admissions $3.00; both of which included supper. A committee of ladies from the Women's Auxiliary of the Modem Woodmen, had charge of the supper for the service men at the ball. Company M, of the then New York National Guard, did everything possible in assisting your committee, taking charge of the squad drill-room, which was used as a checking room. A midnight enter- tainment was staged at the Jefferson Theatre; after which your committeeman John J. Breslin cleared the stage where dancing was had ; music being provided by the theatre orchestra led by Carl Oltz, leader of the 108th Band. Your committee originally intended closing the Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo; but have decided, instead, to turn the rooms, with their furnishings, over to the American Legion of Auburn, which transfer was made about the middle of August. This offer was accepted by the Legion, and the following articles given with the rooms: Five Rockers (leather seats) , 1 Book Case, 2 Tables, 2 Library Tables, 2 Grass Rugs, 1 Grass Rug (Runner), 1 Picture (Col. Jen- nings), 2 Cane Rockers, 9 Cane Chairs, 2 Arm Chairs, 2 Settees (Leather) , 1 Phonograph, 9 Victrola Records, 1 Bulletin Board, 16 Wire Backed Chairs, 4 Card Tables, 1 Pool Table, 12 Cues, 1 Set Pool Balls, 1 Ball Rack, 1 Cue Rack, 60 Coffee Cups, 26 Water Glasses, 2 Pairs Boxing Gloves, 1 Gas Plate, 1 Mop, 1 Pail, 4 Cus- pidors, 1 Mirror, 1 Towel Rack, 1 Drinking Glass Holder, 110 Wall Hooks, 6 Tungstein Bulbs, 1 American Flag. Your committee submits the following report on appropria- tions and receipts and expenditures, up to August 1st, 1919. (This does not include the appropriations, receipts and expenditures rel- ative to the Welcome Home Celebration held September 13, 1919 : RECEIPTS Appropriation by Mayor's Defense Committee $2,200.00 Appropriation by Mayor's Defense Committee 4,000.00 Contribution by Floyd M. Wills, March 31st 100.00 Sale of Boxes and Tickets for Military Ball 972.00 Rebate from C. A. Porter Company 109.01 Appropriation Cayuga County Board of Supervisors.... 3,001.26 Total Receipts $10,388.16 Report op Welcome Home Committee 101 EXPENDITURES Ron Dee Voo Opening Reception $ 57.95 Stationery, etc 54.03 Caretaker 323.65 Furnishings 704.04 Telephone 42.79 Rent, Light, Heat, Insurance 381.40 Total $ 1,563.86 ARCH Wm. Mosley on Contract $ 2,638.00 Wm. Mosley, additional labor 9.54 F. G. Nash on Contract 690.10 Eagles for top 42.00 Trucking, Express, etc 47.97 Painting and Lettering 105.00 Electric Light Fixtures 167.95 Flags for Pylons, etc 196.40 J. T. Doyle, redecorating 210.00 J. A, Hungerford, repair 26.15 Total $ 4,133.13 PARADE Lunch at Armory $ 271.76 Printing, etc 57.73 Breakfast at Syracuse 100.00 Trucking, etc 4.00 Grandstands, etc 62.00 Flagpoles, Flags, Decorations 358.04 Total $ 853.53 MILITARY BALL Printing, etc $ 263.70 Decorating 622.27 Trucking, Signs, etc 53.85 Suppers 1,366.50 Music 247.00 Rental of Annex 30.00 Boxes, Racks, etc 207.08 Total $ 2,790.40 102 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee MISCELLANEOUS Service Flag, etc $ 142.95 Postage and Telegrams 134.67 Stationery and Printing 5.15 Expenses Committee Representatives to New York 301.10 Expenses, Casualties of 27th Division to New York 285.74 Services Miss Kane 25.00 Total $ 894.61 Total Receipts $10,388.16 Total Expenditures 10,235.53 Balance on hand, August 1st, 1919 $ 152.63 Your committee reports that the final celebration in honor of the returned service men and women, held Saturday, September 13, 1919, at Lakeside Park, was gratifyingly successful. The various and many duties necessary to make the event one long to be remembered were apportioned and assigned to sub-com- mittees as follows: Dinner Committee: John F. McGrath, William Duckett, William L. Hodder. Transportation Committee: P. T. Quigley, W. O. Dapping, R. C. S. Drummond. Dance and Decorations Committee: R. C. S. Drummond, Clar- ence Benham, Charles Parker, C. D. Osborne, Arthur Clark, Henry Claudius, Thomas Walsh. Athletic Committee: John J. Breslin, Edwin Leary, H. J. Lind- sley. Dr. O'Brien, Louis Dean, James Geherin. Programmes, Printing, Etc., Committee: John M. Shetland, W. O. Dapping, P. T. Quigley. Music Committee : Howard J. Lindsley. Police Arrangements: Chief William C. Bell, Chief E. J. Jew- hurst, I. E. Pearson. Automobile Transportation : Leonard Searing. Service Workers : G. W. Irwin. Parade : Col. Edgar S. Jennings. Individual invitations were sent out to every person who went out from Cayuga County to participate in any manner in the Great World War, explaining the purpose of the celebration, and urging attendance. With this invitation was enclosed a return postcard upon which the service man or woman expressed his or her intention Report of Weilcome Home Committee 103 to be present or not. It is a pleasure to state that almost half of Cayuga's quota of war participants responded. Also, there was en- closed a card prepared by Col. Edgar S. Jennings, addressed to All Cayuga County "Buddies" and "Gobs," containing instructions for the parade. Lakeside Park was reserved for the occasion, and the Pavilion exclusively set apart for the service men and women and their rela- tives and friends. Between 12 :30 and 2 :00 p. m. on the 13th of September, the service men and women assembled at the Armory for the parade which was to precede the general celebration. G. A. R. Veterans were invited, and through the efforts of Leonard H. Searing, Chair- man of your committee's Sub-committee on Automobiles, they were carried in automobiles from their own headquarters to the Armory, Soldiers who were unable to walk with ease had but to telephone the Armory, and immediately automobiles were sent for them. After assembling, the parade marched up State Street to Clark Street, to James Street, to Genesee Street to Owasco Street. Ar- rangements were made with the Auburn & Syracuse Electric Rail- road for the placing of street cars on Owasco Street at the disposal of those marching. As those in the van of the procession continued up Owasco Street, they met with the farthest street car, which was the first car to Lakeside Park, and boarded it, as was each following one, in a like manner, thus avoiding confusion. More than 1,000 service men and women marched in splendid review in a column of squads. The parade was headed by Col. Edgar S. Jennings, the commanding officer of the gallant 108th Infantry. He was followed by his Aides, some of whom were Lieut. Command- er Thomas Mott Osborne, Capt. B. C. Mead, Capt. Thomas H. Hoyle, Capt. Guy Patchen, Capt. Francis E. O'Brien, Lieut. Thomas B. Bergan and Lieut. Charles D. Osborne. The Aides were followed by Sergeant Bugler Floyd S. Dean, of Headquarters Company, 108th Infantry. Next came the wreath, furnished by the Ladies of the G. A. R., and as the parade halted just before reaching the Victory Arch, the wreath was placed in a niche in the Arch by Joseph Brandstatter, representing the Army, and on either side of him were C. Kierst representing the Navy, and T. B. Murray rep- resenting the Marines. It was an act of devotion to the memory of the men whose names are inscribed on the Arch in letters of gold. The banked flags of the Allies came next, guarded by men who have been decorated for conspicuous bravery. Among those thus honored were Lieut. L. H. Davis, George P. Frank, William A. McCarthy, Albert E. Somers, William H. Williamson, Capt. Guy Patcheon, Lieut. Carl Rea, Paul A. Hills and Antonio Scroso. Sev- eral other honor men were included in this detachment. 104 Report of Mayor's Defense committee A band came next, followed by welfare workers and Red Cross workers, with the sailors and marines coming after. Then came all the British service men, including Canadian, Australian and other colonial service men. United States Army men not in divi- sions, followed ; this included Aviation, Medical, Sanitary, Quarter- master, Ordnance, Transport, etc. The next section was command- ed by Major Elliott N. Baldwin, preceded by a drum corps. Then came the section commanded by Capt. Fred S. Johnston, with his Aides, followed by a band, with service men from divisions in num- erical order; and finally came the Grand Army of the Republic Veterans in automobiles. Once again your committee gives expression to the deep grati- tude it feels for the earnest co-operation and assistance offered and accepted. Even the day itself was in accord with the spirit of the occasion, clear, almost crispt yet not cold, and a warming sun, all seemed to blend with the lightheartedness and gladness with which the County glowed. The city presented a gala appearance. The decorations on the ornamental posts in the inner lighting district were augmented by thpssands of flags hung from the business houses of the city. Store windows were tastefully decorated with the colors that the boys who marched in review carried overseas. Private residences in the outskirts of the city and homes in the villages of the county and the outlying farms were graced with the national colors. Re- tail merchants throughout the city and county, who had in their employ service men or women, relieved them of their duties for the day. The factories closed down at noon, and each loyal citizen, to some extent, contributed to the success of the occasion. Tickets for transportation and admission to the Park were distributed to the service men just before the parade left the Arm- ory. About fifty ladies, representing the Red Cross, and the serv- ice workers who volunteered to assist in serving the dinner, con- sisting of about forty Y. M. C. A. men and representatives of the Elks, Masons, K. of C, K. of P., and fraternities, left the corner of South and Genesee Streets immediately the parade passed that point. A large banner was hung from the car provided for their transportation to the Park ; and service workers only were permit- ted to ride in it. These workers were -provided with badges as a means of identification, and were in charge of G. W. Irwin. In- structions and rehearsal of the method of serving were given the workers as soon as they arrived at the Park. Arriving at the Park the service men and women were served with a clam chowder luncheon ; after which an athletic programme was carried out. The first event was a baseball game ; the players having been selected from the army on one side, and the navy and marines as opponents. During the game Chairman J. J. Breslin, of your committee's sub-committee on athletics, announced the var- Report of Welcome Home Committee 105 ious other events, and his committee passed through the grand- stand, receiving entries therefor. These events were as follows: 75 Yard Dash, Pie Eating Contest, Spoon and Egg Race, 12 Pound Shot Put, Three-legged Race, Hop, Skip and Jump, Shoe Contest, and Wheelbarrow Race. First prizes in money or credit slips in the amount of $5.00, and $3.00 for second prize, were awarded; Following the programme on the field, mess call was sounded, and the assemblage adjourned to the Pavilion where a substantial dinner was served. Long rows of tables extending the entire length of the Pavilion veranda were filled to capacity; and it was found necessary to seat some of the service men inside the Pavilion. Red Cross workers, assisted by representatives of the Knights of Columbus, Elks, Masons, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Y. M. C. A. served the dinner. There was more than enough to go around ; and those desiring it, were served a second time. Chicken, sweet and Irish potatoes, corn, celery, rolls, clams, ice cream and soft drinks composed the menu. Each man was given half a chick- en, two ears of com, twenty-two clams, and as much of the other food as was desired. The Knights of Columbus under the direction of John Paladieu, served cigarettes, candy, gum, matches, souvenir match boxes and handkerchiefs. These articles were placed be- side each man's plate. Tubs, containing the food, which was cooked in bags, were carried by two men followed by two Red Cross ladies; the latter served the food to those seated at the tables. Those serving the food entered an aisle provided for that purpose, and passed between tables assigned to them, continuing always in the same direction and leaving the tubs at the ends of the porch, where other tubs of food were supplied them. Following the dinner, a song service was enjoyed ; and this was continued while a force of workers cleared the tables, and carpen- tes tore down, the benches. When everything was cleared, the dancing was begun. The Pavilion was decorated for the occasion, and transformed into a bower of beauty. Thousands of Japanese lanterns hung in long chains; flags and banners and flowers hung from the ceiling. Thousands of relatives and friends of service men, assembled at the Lake during the afternoon and evening, and witnessed the serving of the dinner and the dancing in the evening. The food was prepared by Caterer Schlaefrey; and the bags in which it was served, were made by Red Cross workers, and more than 5,000 were finished in five days. The cooking was done in a large tent on the lawn outside the Pavilion. Thus was brought to a close an activity in which your com- mittee is proud to have borne so great a responsibility. Every turn of the hand by each member of your committee, and by those 106 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee who afforded so great assistance, was done with a deep knowledge of appreciation for what the service men and women had done for the country, and for humanity. Nothing was considered too good for them; no labor, which could in some manner result in giving them joy, was too difficult; and no joy was more great than that experienced through the members of your committee's efforts in accomplishing the results of its activities. And too, your com- mittee feels a deep sense of satisfaction in that during all its cele- brations in honor of Cayuga's heroes, never was there a breath of unhappiness or sadness, instead, just a series of thrills and cheers, which acted as panacea for the loss of loved ones, in addition to the nurturing of the flower of patriotism that so thrives in our midst. In closing, permit your committee to state that it is content that its commission was carried out satisfactorily in its own be- lief, and hopes the community and the Mayor's and County De- fense Committees feel likewise. EXPENDITURES FOR FINAL CELEBRATION GIVEN ON SATURDAY, SEP- TEMBER 13, 1919 Appropriation by Auburn War Chest, Inc $5,000.00 EXPENDITURES Oartage and Draying — Auburn Draying Company $ 8.27 William Duckett (Automobile) 15.00 WllUam Nagle 2.50 W. J. Nolan 5.75 $31.52 Services — Val Schlaefrey (cooking) $250.00 Bridget Lane (making bags) 3.75 Mrs. DeForrest (making bags) 3.75 A. W. Titus (signs) 11.85 G. N. Lounsbury (addressing) 14.00 H. F. Kowall (stenographic) 25.00 Albert Jackson (garbage) 18.00 $326.35 Transportation — Auburn & Syracuse E. R. R. Co 98.16 Prizes at Field Day 64.00 Postage 155.55 Printing and Advertising — W. A. Schicht 54.10 Auburn Publishing Co 32.40 Advertiser-Journal 32.40 County newspapers (Moravia et al) 21.80 $140.70 Receipts and Disbursements 107 ProvlBion — S. C. HoughtaUng $721.98 B. N .Ross 485.55 Auburn Grocery Co 33.00 Wall & Heverln 138.60 Auburn Sanitary Milk Co 74.25 Sun Grocery Co 10.00 Sun Baking Co. 35.75 R. D. Lanehart 16.00 11,515.13 Decorations 250.00 Music — Logan Drum Corps $25.00 St. Mary's Drum Corps 40.00 WilUam H. Bishop 147.00 Parsons Orchestra 66.00 $278.00 Tables, etc. (Williams & Son) 260.28 Crockery, cheese cloth, etc. — Central City Crockery Co. 86.79 Cheese cloth (Foster's, Hislop's et al) 187.35 Spoons, pails, etc 17.51 $291.65 Miscellaneous — Ice $16.00 Empire Gas & Electric Co. 35.00 E. J. Kraemer 10.00 Cigars 6.00 P. S. Johnston Paper Co 21.25 Whipple & Forman 11.35 99.60 Reimbursement to Auburn War Chest, Inc $1,489.06 $5,000.00 All of which is respectfully submitted for the Committee. JOHN M. SHETLAND, Chairman. APPENDIX IX Report of Receipts and Disbursements, Mayor's Defense Committee of the City of Auburn, N. Y. April 17, 1917— December 31, 1919. RECEIPTS Contributions from Manufacturers $1,843.28 (5c per month per employee) Contributions from Individuals and Firms 5,354.00 (Monthly subscriptions April-October, 1917 inc.) 108 Report op Mayor's Defense Committee Cayiiga County Home Defense Committee — Administration $115.30 Public Meetings 69.50 Parades, etc 104.50 New York State Military Census 348.90 Banquet to Selected Service Men 102.22 Uniforms, Home Defense Reserve 375.00 United States Pood Administration 138.00 $1,253.42 Auburn War Chest, Inc 19,400.00 Tractor Committee — Sale of Pord Car $225.00 Receipts from tractor work 21.47 $246.47 Selected Service Men's Banquet 72.00 (Cash Receipts) Balance Pund from Committee on Soldiers' Families dur- ing Mexican Border trouble, 1916 $53.20 Interest on Certificates of Deposit $41.69 Reimbursement Service Men's Families — British and Canadian Patriotic Fund $2,511.80 Families of service men 478.00 $2,989.80 108th Regiment Band Concert (cash receipts) 992.34 War Kitchen, 1918— Sale of Pood Stuffs 77.49 Committee on Arrangements for Homecoming Service Men — Telephone rebate $ 5.89 Sale of boxes for ball 972.00 Rebate P. G. Nash 225.40 Rebate C. A. Porter Co 109.01 Contribution from Buffalo friend 100.00 $1,412.30 War Garden Committee, 1918 — State Department of Agriculture $156.25 Sale of Pord Car 201.00 $357.25 Miscellaneous — Sale of bugles, H. D. R $20.00 Return of loan to soldier, etc 4.44 Rebate on Telephone 2.95 $27.39 Total Receipts $34,120.63 DISBURSEMENTS Dependent Families of Auburn Service Men $7,961.14 Third (108th) Regiment- To Colonel E. S. Jennings for the benefit of Auburn men in Third Regiment $1,000.00 Supplies, etc., for Company M 252.77 $1,252.77 Receipts and Disbursements 109 War Gardens, year of 1917 — Salary of Supervisor $400.00 Depreciation in value or motorcycle 40.00 Upkeep of motorcycle 22.24 Phone, light, etc 31.49 Signs, printing, stationery, etc 66.08 Incidentals 34.41 $594.22 War Gardens, year of 1918 — Purchase Ford Car $300.00 Upkeep and supplies for car 197.53 Phone and light 29.45 Salary of Supervisor 419.10 Postage, stationery, signs, etc 52.55 Incidentals . . , 38.90 Administration — Salary of office assistant $546.00 Postage, telegrams, telephone, printing, stationery, etc. 399.19 Public Meetings — Rent, stage hands, etc $350.50 Music, Decorations, etc 392.15 Committee on Enlistment — Music, etc. (Selected Service Men parades) $239.00 Printing posters, etc. 41.90 New York State Military Census — Clerical Hire $255.00 Supplies 93.90 Tractor Committee — ■ Purchase Ford Car $376.58 Repairs, etc 9.01 Tractor repairs and supplies 967.60 Banquet to Selected Service Men, September 6, 1917 — Food supplies $225.00 Music, rent, etc 53.44 United States Food Administration — Advance to office assistant account — Cayuga County Home Defense Committee $138.00 Printing, etc 7.80 $1,038.53 $945.19 $742.65 $280.90 $348.90 $1,353.19 $278.44 $145.80 110 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee Committee on Defense and Security — Advance on uniforms (Acct C. C. H. D. C.) 1375.00 Express on uniforms, printing, etc 53.22 Bugles and drums, Home Defense Reserve 73.37 lOSth Regiment Band Concert, April 28, 1918 — Rent, etc $210.50 Advertising 40.00 Paid to Colonel E. S. Jennings , 148.40 Paid to Rev. A. A. Jaynes, Chaplain 593.60 Service Men's Comforts — Hospital Bills, loans to service men, boarding, clothing, etc $506.27 Material for Auxiliaries for sweaters, etc 329.19 Postage, clerical hire, etc 573.07 Paid Cayuga County Chapter, American Red Cross 1,542.13 War Kitchen, year of 1918 — Supplies $97.63 Telephones, etc. 32.48 Committee on Arrangements for Homecoming Service Men — Parade $526.18 Ron-dee-voo 1,542.51 Victory Arch 3,746.63 Military Ball 817.19 Miscellaneous 894.61 Committee on Arrangements, etc. (Final Celebration) — Cartage and Draying $31.52 Services 326.35 Transportation 98.16 Prizes 64.00 Postage 155.55 Printing and Advertising 140.70 Provisions i, 1,515.13 Decorations '250.00 Music 278.00 Tables, etc 260.28 Crockery, cheese cloth, etc 291.65 Miscellaneous 99.60 Reimbursement Auburn War Chest, Inc 1,489.06 $501.59 $992.50 $2,950.66 $130.11 $7,527.12 $5,000.00 Printing Final Reports 472.69 Total Disbursements $32,516.40 NOTE. The last meeting of the Defense Committee was held in the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, April 14, 1920, 6:30 p. m. Dinner was served, each member present bearing his share of the cost. After dinner, a bill for 16.75 for postal card notices of meeting was ordered paid. To this is added the cost for mailing the Report, $21.00, and the cost of this "Note," $4.00. The Treasurer was directed to pay the balance in the Treasury, $1,572.48, (the balance of Dec. 31, 1919 less the above items) to the Treasurer of the World War Memorial Association for the purposes of that Association. Chairman Stewart presided and presented the above Reports, which were received and made the Report of the Committee to His Honor, former Mayor Koon. Short addresses were made by Hon. Mark I. Koon, in receiving the Committee's Report, by Hon. Charles W. Brister, Mayor A. P. Burkhart, John M. Shetland, Rev. Robert H, Nichols, John J. Breslin, Samuel E. Hillger, John Van Sickle, Rev. Allen Macy Dulles, and Hon. Richard C. S. Drummond. On motion of Mr. Drummond the Committee adjourned at 10:00 p. m. without day. The Treasurer on April 25, 1920, paid the Treasurer, World War Memorial Association, the above balance, $1,572.48. Receipts and Disbursements 111 total disbursements Total Receipts 134,120.63 Total Disbursements 32,516.40 Balance I 1,604.23 Respectfully submitted, T. H. GARRETT, Jr., Treasurer. S. J. AUBIN, Assistant Treasurer. December 31st, 1919. Auburn, N. Y., January 16, 1920. Rev. Greorge B. Stewart, D. D., Chairman, Mayor's Defense Committee, Auburn, N. Y. Dear Doctor Stewart : Pursuant to your request, I have audited the books of the Mayor's Defense Committee of the City of Auburn covering a period from April 17th, to December 31st, 1919, and have found the receipts and disbursements correct in every detail, also the balance on hand at the National Bank of Auburn as reported. Very truly yours, C. W. Storke.