New Britain herald., 1917-08-11
T0u'n Topics

True, good many New Britain aliens, or sons of alien parents. have stepped forward during the past few months and enlisted for service in the American army, but it certainly has been disharten1ng during the past week to note the score upon score of aliens. men who have lived here and enjoyed the privileges and pleasures of this free country, who have re- sponded to the draft call only to take refuge behind the law which permits aliens to decline to fight. This at titude of Indifference on the part of the aliens, those who are physically and otherwise fitted for army service, re- fleets anything but credit upon the masses and the more so since in al most every instance the men thus hiding behind technical law and avoiding their moral duty are from countries now at war. To show the extent of this indifference as it exists in many cases! One man appeared before the exemption board explained that he had lived in this city for twelve years but had never become naturalized. Then he calmly claimed exemption on the ground that he Is an alien. Others openly sought ex- emption on physical grounds, explain ing that they would claim exemption as aliens if necessary. but they pre- ferred a doctors certificate for, they said, if they were recorded as alien subjects fit for army service their own governments might come over and force them into service in their own armies.
 Why should not aliens who share the benefits and privileges of this country with the native born and who receive far better treatment here than they ever did at home accept the responsibilities and fight in their turn to protect this land? When this draft is over and New Britain's quota has been sent into the field these aliens will step forth to take jobs left open by the departure of the Americans and naturaffzed citizens. Then should the factories assert their Americanis1n. They should refuse to recognize and should refuse employment to any alien who was physically fit and otherwise qualified for army service, but who hid behind the alien law.
 The findings of the national fire insurance underwriters in this city were most interesting and show, that while the citizens think the city is doing remarkable things in the line of fire prevention, there Is in reality many things that. must be done be- ore the city ever gets into the pre- ferred class Of these, one of the biggest items is the abolishion of the present practice of burning papers in the rear of business blocks and the establishment of a city waste paper collection agency. But above all things, every man, woman and child living in this city can cooperate for fire pro- tection by not neglecting trifles Tiff ing incidents cause great conhagra- ton. Fire prevention is really the sum total of little things. Don't carry lighted match into a closet unless you are prepared to carry your furniture out of the house. Also. the fellow who smokes in bed may be too green to burn-but the bed isn't. It should likewise be rem embered that time is a vital factor in fighting fires and a flame that you could crush between your thumb and finger, in only a. few hours may devastate a city. Every | man Is as morally obligated to keep his house and shop and office clean and free of fire hazards as she Is to keep his body clean and protected from disease.
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 Possibly but few of New Britain people have yet realized what 1t means in dollars and cents to have so many of their native sons go out into the service of the army and navy and in this connection and lit- tie estimating might prove of inter- est. Already, it has been estimated by the mayor in his appeal to Wash ington against the citys draft quota, there are about 500 local men ia the