New Britain herald., 1917-05-04
BRILLIANT RECORD 34f3 xts%s{a5s
 RECRUITING co. E
Command Jumps From Bottom
 to Second in Month

The record of Company E, First Connecticut Infantry, is one of the most Interesting in the entire First Regiment for since Lieutenant Ashley J. Griffin first took charge . month ago that command has Jumped from the bottom of the list to second high est in the entire regiment. One month ago tomorrow. when Lieutenant Grit fin took charge of the company as commanding officer, there were but sixty-two enlisted men. A few days later four men were discharged. lsAv-- ing but ffty-eight men in the com mand. At that time Company E ranked at the bottom of the twelve companies in man power. Follow ing an energetic recruiting campaign in which Lieutenant Griffin, Second Lieutenant Robert V. K. Harris. and in fact all the men took an active part. the muster roll increazed rapid ly until t1is morning when there were ninety-five regularly enlisted men, an increase of two over yesterday. The only company whose daily report shows more men than Company E is Company c of Manchester with 1OS men. With the passing of few more days the commanding officers of the local company expect to have more than full company of 100 mon and look forward to leading the regiment. When that number is reached recruit ing will not cease. but ehlistmehts will be continued in anticipation of a call to recruit the National Guard units up to 160 men. war strength.
 Aliens Want to Serve.
 The last two recruits lin Comp1ny E. are John Kranzit and William g.. Rudse. This morning five more men applied for enlistment and were sent to Hartford for examinations. Among these applicants were two Italians who, although born far across the ocean, protested an undying lovs for tho Stars and Stripes. One of the men was thirty-three years of age and his shoulders were bent with hard labor and his hands calloused and srimy from arduous tasks. In the buttonhole of his weather beaten coat was displayed tiny American flag. He had to be rejected because he could net produce his citixenship pa pers. The other was | mere boy of eighteen years. He wanted to enlist for the U. s. A.. he said. but as his and could not recall sufacient data in connection with his coming to this country the hoy's application had to be rejected.
 This morning Lieutenant Griffin took the members of his company OH a long hike. Yesterday he gave them extended order and slkirmish drill in Walnut Hill park and later enlivened their work with sports. In com pany race Corporal Lacell proved the best sprinter and as . reward was given .. pass until midnight. In squad races Corporal Lacells detail proved the most fleet of foot and as their reward the mon were excused from afternoon drill.
 One of the new recruits. who has not yet learned to obey and respect mil itary discipline, yesterday became tired and declined to execute double quick and other orders given. It was necessary to detail g man with q fixed bayonet to prod him gently occas- sionally. His ambitions were thus again aroused.
 The mon coms' championship basketball game will be played tonor- rcw afternoon and on Monday night the losers will provide a turkey din- ner for the winners at the Hotel Nell son.
 The government rations allowance for tho men Is forty cents per day and needless to say this does not permit the purchase of many luxuries. The men are wondering whether or not their kind friends about the city will remember them at their Sunday din- ner. Of course the boys wouldn't think of throwing out any hints even though they do like ice cream and cake, etc.. but they were just wondering, that's ali.
 The troops doing duty in Hartford were paid of yesterday in the coin or the realm and the local boys are hop ing to see the paymaster here today or tomorrow. Many of them are get ting shy on their cigarette money.
 Equipment for all new men Is e1- pected daily and will be given out aS soon as 1t arrives. Because Of the unusually large number of new rt- cruits there are not enough cots at the armory and this morning Quarter Master Sergeant Bober was busily en- gagged in making some new cots for the men. Mess Sergeant J. J. Curtin las also been busy getting the ovens and ranges ready for Sunday when the mess squad gets busy.
 DAILY COUNCIL WHIST.
 largely attended social and whist was held by Daly council, K. of c.,