The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-12-15
NEW ROCHELLE
SALOONS SHUT
Order Goes Into Effect and
Will BE Enforced Until
Wars End.
GREAT RUSH OF RECRUITS
Fort SlOcum Unable to Shelter
Men Sent Therc-Navy
Yard StOrmed.
GREAT RUSH OF RECRUITS

The unprecedented rush q. volunteers
7" enlist in the army and navy yester-
day led to seSera, peculiar situations.
Hearing tia: the 10000 recruits
stranded in New Rochelle on their way
to Fort Slocun we're 10 he paid or and
sent home unit, recalled, Gov. Whit
man ordered all saloons and dance halls
in New Rochelle to close for the period
OF the war. The war Dcpa rtment later
said the recruits would not be allowed
to SO home.
with no accommodations at nearby
army posts for tine recruits just en-
rolled in the service. Col. Chatfeld In
chargeNo of army recruiting here. ordered
the $40 ,neu he sworc in yesterday to
their homes. there to remain until Mon
day morning.
The rush to enlist a; the navy yard
! yesterday was so great that guards
were placed about the gates TO hold the
c.amorinc recruits In line. The rush
started before a. NJ and continued
until midnight.
1
I nounced that recruits in their clamor TO
enlist before December !5 had over
looked the Marine Corps. which Is IN
need of physically perfect young men.
| Gov. Wliitman's order closing all the
sIxty-three saloons and other drinking
rlaces in New Rochelle was transmitted
| through Excise Commissioner Herbert
Slsson to Mayor Edward $. Grif,ng and
went into efTcc. al once.
sueut Night In New Rochelle
The order came on the heels OF a day
! 6IIed with contradictory reports ana
army orders AS told in THE SUN yes
terday, several thousand recruits. newly
enlisted. were sent from New hork al,n
her points 20 Fort Slocun,. Arriving
AZ Neu rochelle It was found when they
attempted 10 board the ferryboat that
nl,es between that city and the fort that
there was no room for the newcomers
at the army post. which already "as
f,lled TO more than Its capacity
The recruits for the most part spent
,nc Wight In New Rochelle. citizehs'
churches, halls. charitable and other
nuhIlc institutions throwing open their
4 doors 10 the men and prov!oihg tnen'
With food and shelter for the night
The terrific storm that was raging WIN
hest. and before nidnignt " was sec"
that every newcomer had shelter.
story was circulated In New
Rochelle yesterday that the War De-
nartment learning that there were no
accommodations for Its newly eht.s'eu !,
rren IN he had at Fort Slocun, ordered
that they be paid off and sent nome u
report later. Mayor Grifing rearing
; the men would spend their two or three
; days pay In grog shops communicates
with Gov. whitman. In his appea. 10
the Governor the Mayor sts.ea ,,s,. 'na.
these Young men just supplied with
; "easy money" and indignant over their
, treatment might visit the saloons ano
. after freely imbibing bring about dis
, order or a riot with which the losa'
! police would he unable to cope. Inc
Governor lost no tinac III issu'"s "'s
: closing order.
Order COuntermaMded.
Col. A. r. Kingsbury. comma ndant ~
Fort Slocum meanwhile telephoned &c
Secretary Baker and explained how wei
, New Rochelle had taken care OF the men
= The Secretary thereuron countermandec
his order and said men applying for en-
liptment before December 10 would d.
: enlisted even after that time. But th'
, saloons closed at 6 o'clock. and will stay
, closed 'tndehniteIy." ne the New Ro
, cheIle police put II. =
: More than 5000 recruits arrived "
the town yesterday. and about 4,oo'
| were unable to get sleeping accommoda
tions at Fort Slocum. These mon wer'
taken care Of in the local churches ant
, clubs, the city hall and fire houses ah'
, private homes Some were sent TO Noun
, Vernon and quartered In hre houses am
i more tnan 100 to the New York Athleti
! Club at Travers Island. ..
/ vaudeville entertainers and taien
from among the recruits performed q
, the various places. The Red Cross can
teen committee and Knishts OF CoIum
bus and women Of New Rochelle cooke
and served meals all day and all nign
Yesterday the recruits quartered In tn
! North Avenue Presbyterian Church pre-
+. sented a silver wrist watch to the pastol
I the Rev. DR.. Robert Gardner McGreso
Q ana A bouquet Of flowers to every woma
, Who assisted there.
The management OF Loews Theatr
Q save free performances for the recruit
Coutju,4a1 on Third Pd1e.