New-York tribune., 1917-09-04
Thousands Throng
New York Guard
Camps Labor Day
Entertain Wis
itors With Drills and
Athletic Contests
list Gets 38 Recruits
Rush to Enlist Follows I'M
pressive Demonstration in
Van Cortlandt Park

An armistce vast declared yesterday
BY nearly every commanding officer OF
National Guard regiments now com
prising the Twenty-sevcnth Division of
the army, sprinkled about armories
and encampments in and around New
York City. Labor Day was observed
by all except few military units
whose hinty-hesrted commanders stood
adamant against knocking off for the
day. But on the whole the army cele-
brsted. There was little drill or march
ing or rife practice or trench digging,
except, of course, in the early morning,
when the troops were given their ex-
ercise as a guard against bad pre-
cedence and laxity Of discipline.
Regular celebrations we're held at
Fort Slocum, near New Rochelle, and
in Van Cortlandt fsrE. In these en-
campments, the day was enlivened by
exhibition drills and athletic contests
which drew thousands oil soldiers from
other encsmpments and thousands OF
civilians from all sections OF the city.
In accordance with holiday practice,
officers Of various military units
granted passes for the day 10 about %
per cent of the enlisted men, who
promptly shook the camp dust OF their
feet and sought their homes. Those
not u fortunate entertained their
"home folks" in camp for an hour or
two in the afternoon, told them the
latest camp gossip and gave them
glimpse of army life.
New York City saw more Of its
militiamen than it had in many day,
not counting, Of course, send-of parade
day last week, when al 1.-The soldiers
came 10 town.
Men of Fifteenth Labor
The boy. for whom yesterday was no
different from any other were the
members of the artillery. small arms
and engineers supply trains, who had
to stick 10 their posts in the old 8th
Coast Defence Command armory, at
Park Avenue and Ninety-fourth Street,
and the 18th infantry. The l5th's
soldiers went throught its daily drill in
OLYMPIC Field, Fifth Avenue and l38th
Street, then dug few trenches for
change. After that came turn at
aiming. sighting and puzzling over the
calculation Of distance in finding range
in musketry practice.
Fort Slocum was the scene Of the
biggest celebration. More than 5000
soldiers and civilians gathered there
during the afternoon and evening TO
witness the field contest between the
athletes Of the harbor forts. Soldiers
from Fort Slocum. Fort Schuyler, Fort
Totten. Fort Wadsworth and Fort Jay
entered the games, while their COM
rades and civilian friends watched and
rooted.
Seventy Gives Drill
In Van Cortlandt Park the men of
the lst. 23d and list regiments enter
tanned immense crowds from all parts
Of the city. The list gave q special
drill and parade, which received thun-
derous ovations After the drill the
fist and the 23d held an athletic tour
nament. There were three-legged
races, potato races, saddle and bride
races and foot races for such practi-
cal prizes as trench mirrors, flash
lamps and wrist watches.
The celebration in Van Cortlandt
Park had a practical result, which was
unexpected. The brave show made in
the exhibition drills and the sttrac-
tiveness OF soldier life fetched thirty
eight recruits, who were examined on
the spot, passed and divided among the
regiments. Incidentally. the fist wa.
presented with a costly Victrola and
a batch of records by Mrs. Henry
Vogel, widow Of Captain Vogel, who
died recently at Mount Vernon. Mrs.
Vogel said her husband had purchased
the Victrola shortly before he died,
with the intention OF presenting it TO
the list.
Most of the other military units
went through their morning camp
routine with abbreviated drill, after
which the men were dismissed for the
day.