New Britain herald., 1917-04-14
FACTORIES TO CLOSE
ON PATRIOTS DAY
All Industry Will Be Stilled
With Noon Whistles
Next Thursday.

Thursday will be known as Wake
Up, America, Day" and the patriotic
observances planned by the council
committee and the public amusement
commission promise to be the most
elaborate of the kind that New Britain
has ever seen. Assurance has been
given that business will be suspended
at noon, assuring all of a half holiday
in which to participate, and the pri,-
cipal exercises will take place in the
heart of the city, where there will be
a flag raising in the park.
Mayor George A. Quigley stated this
morning that he has been informed by
the leading manufacturers that they
will close their plants at noon on
Thursday in recognition of the day
and he also has assurance that all the
other factories will follow suit
Through the mercantile bureau of the
Chamber of Commerce it is expected
that all the stores in the city will close
at noon. Superintendent Stanley HI.
Holmes of the schools has agreed to
permit the school children to parti-
cipate in the exercises, but rather than
close the schools at noon his plan
calls for the children to assemble in
their classes in the afternoon and then
march out to the exercises in a body,
under the direction of their teachers.
This has been deemed advisable be-
cause it will keep the children from
running wild about the streets and
adding to any confusion. II want the
school children TO take any part In
this patriotic observance that the
program committee wants them to-,
superintendent Holmes stated. The
committee has also asked the cooper
alton of the various parochial schools
and assurances have been received
that they too will recognize the hair
holiday in a fitting manner.
In order that confusion may be re-
duced to a minimum. Mayor Qu1gley
stated this morning that between the
hours Of 1 and o'clock on Thurs
day the center OF the city Will De
roped or and no vehicles Will be per-
mitted to use these thoroughfares, but
will be compelled to take side streets.
The trolley cars will also be stopped
during the parade. This will permit
the people to throng the streets with
out danger. The complete parade
plans have not yet been formulated,
but they call for plenty of music aad
long procession. All of the fraternal
and patriotic societies in the city have
been invited to participate, including
the Home Guard, the City Guard, The
Sons of Veterans, the Spanish War
Veterans, the Grand Army Veterans,
the Boy Scouts the Tierney Cadets,
The Patriotic Order, Sons of America.
the Junior and Senior Mechanics, the
Turner society, the A. 0. H., the Y.
NJ. r. A. & B. society, the Elks, and
all other societies and organizations.
Tt Is exDected that practically all of
these will participate and any who de-
sire are invited to decorate floats for
the parade. Col. A. L. Thompson will
be marshal of the day and will select
his own aides.
The grand chorus of 200 voices and
an augmented band will furnish music
plans, there will be no public speaking
in the afternoon. All people through
out the city are asked to display flags
at their homes and places of business
In the evening all churches and
theaters will be asked to have patrio-
tic exercises and already the First
church has made plans for such exer-
cises, to be a part of their 159th ami
versary program. A big sixty foot
flag pole will he erected in central
park, where the Christmas tree stood.
and big American flag will be un-
furled with fitting ceremonies. 1t is
planned to have the South church
chimes play and the factory whistles
to blow salute as Old Glory 1utters
to the top of the pole.
Today the music committee met
with. the various band and drum
corps. leaders and on. Monday evening
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