New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-07-28

| toned closely about his neck SHOWS
the necessity of lighter clothing for
| the men.
Reading matter is needed for the
| soldiers and sailors. Not only for
! the boys encamped in this country
and the boys patrolling our Atlantic
| seaboard, but also for the members
of Pershing's gallant little army and
the valiant bluejackets who are now
somewhere in the North sea. The
| American soldiers themselves are
calling attention to their lack of
reading matter so why can't people
here enjoying the luxures of their
! homes, after reading their magazines
| or periodicals give them to the SOL
| diers? Arrangements might be made.
i it would seem, to drop these maya
zines and periodicals unaddressed in
| the post Office or other prominent
| place where they can be Immediately
! forwarded through regular channels
to the boys.
to have everyone stop referring in
rather jocular, If not contemptuous,
manner of the new army as an army
of "conscripts" and to the drafted
men as "conscr1pts." This branch Of
! the new American army is going to
! be just as honorable a branch of the
| service as any. The men will be just
as honorable. There will be just as
brave men in it's ranks. So don't
speak slightingly of the new army or
it's members.
| While it is too late to consider
| such a proposition this year, even
| though national conditions were not
| conducive Of the strictest economy,
at some more opportune time the city
| should consider the advisability OF
| constructing a quarter-mile cinder
track at Walnut Hill park to be used.
not only in connection with the NUM-
cipal Fairgrounds, but by the High
school, the Y. M. c. A. and others
who may be athletically inclined. A
cinder track would not be expensive
and should be only in conformity with
what other large cities are doing in
connection with park and playground
development. For years the High
school has been held back from de-
veloping track teams because Of the
lack of a. proper running track.
Other amateur athletes are also ham
/ dicapped by the absence of a track
The construction of one would be a
| decided Improvement
The heretofore jocular remarks:
"Tll see you in France has ceased
to become a joke. It appears to be
reality now.
The scarcity Of labor, particularly
skilled labor, is rapidly becoming ap-
parent in this city where one concern,
during the past week or so, has had
to import large number of skilled
hands from out of town in order to
continue with the productive opera
ton of the plant. The railroad is also
feeling the scarcity of labor, as may
be judged from recent ADVERTISE
ments calling for women to act as
gate tenders and hagmen. The scar
city of help extends even into the
city departments where it is hard to
secure common laborers, only a few
days ago the working force of the
water department having been cut
down to four men because it was
impossible to get help. With the
draft coming on there seems to be
but little likelihood of any change for
the better and employers are doing
all they can to retain the services of
such employe as they may have.
In this connection it might be OBJ
| served that there is small excuse for
loafers for if a man really wants to
! work he can find It.
Summer vacations this year are
| fewer than ever before, owing to the
! large number of families who have
already sent sons into the service and
the large number who will send 9TH
| ers shortly. Also. never before has
| the month of June or the month of
! july been such popular one in
offices and factories for vacation rec
| ords, Heretofore, Office managers tell
us, there has always been a wild
! scramble for vacation dates during
| the month of August and early Sep
TENDER. This year the dates have
| not been sought at all. Instead June
| and July have been in favor. The
reason for this change of mind is OBJ
vious Those who are eligible for
1.-THE draft realize that IN August or
| September they ar el1kely to be called
into federal service. Hence they
| sought their vacations early 50 as to
be sure of them. Those not eligible.
realize that when the army men left
their respective places of employ
ment the work of those left behind
would be greatly increased and it
| would be practically impossible to
| get any time Off Accordingly, they
| too wanted to take their vacations
| early and therefore play it Safe
Our soldiers and sailors monu-