The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-27
SO7TH FAMILY UNIT
HALLS BOYS DEEDS
Great Enthusiasm Marks Meet
ing Of Relatives Of Those
at Front.
NEW BATTLE POEM READ
Flag, Wilson and Allies Share
in Cheers at Big Gather
ing and Overflow.

The news. but recently received here.
that the S07th Infantry has been in the
thick OF the fighting in France and that
one at least Of its companies has sus-
tained heavy losses. served to increase
the enthusiasm and pride Of the wives
and mothers and fathers and other rela-
tives of the men when they met last
night at the Engineering Societies Build
ing to cheer for the "Blackthorn Regi-
ment."
More than 1900 members OF the 307th
Regmental Family Unit attempted to
pack themselves into a hall which was
designed to hold but 1000. AS a re-
suit upward OF 800 organized themselves
into an overflow meeting on the main
floor of the building and their enthusi-
assn was no less tumultuous than that
exhibited upstairs. The flag. President
Wilson, the Allies and the 307th were
cheered impartially and vociferously. as
were the speakers and Poets Edwin
Markham and Robert Underwood John
son. who read verses which they had
written especially for the occasion.
Mr.. Markham called his poem THE
Fate of France" and said he had writ
ten It hastily at Staten Island Thursday
to be sure and have It ready for last
night. The last verse read:
But in the evening hush of home I hear
Beside the Marine the marching heroes
l sec brave lines that waver and gain
breath
To huri their valors into the front OF death.
Their glad cheer arms me like lifted
The whole worlds future is the fate of
France!
"Knights of the New Chivnlry."
THE knights of the New Chlvalry."
was the title Mr. Johnson gave one of
his two new poetical contributions. 1t
will later appear in one OF the maya
zines as follows:
What does our soldier take to war?
SO much we cannot give him more.
Thanks. that In him sword we draw
Tempered by liberty and law
Faith in his hour. that is ours
letter writ to baleful powers;
Envy. that he II Is not we,
To welcome peril oversee:
Pride that our land shall worship long
At affairs by his valor strong,
Love, that In absence Is more dear
And made more tender by its fear.
His countrys praises, spirit-pure.
In life or death. for him secure;
These shall go with him, and what more
Could knightly soldier take to war?
Judge William II. Wadhams. national
chairman of the Organization OF Sol
diers Families OF America. told OF his
| recent visit to the front and announced
that the organization had Joined forces
with the American Army Association
and that the two would work as one
for common ends in the future This
step had been decided upon, he ex-
planned, to avoid duplication of work.
In talking to the troops abroad
Judge Wadhams said he had learned
that 1t was a source OF qualification
10 them to know that their families
had organized at home and that such
an organization was interested in the
welfare of those dear to them on this
side of the Atlantic.
Work of Army Association.
George w. Perkins. chairman Of the
organization committee OF the Ameri-
can Army Association. spoke of It's
work and said Its inception had been
due TO a suggestion received by him
from officers az Camp Upton who felt
there was need OF the work IL had
undertaken The names OF Judge Wad-
hams, Mrs Walston H. Brown and Mrs.
William Nanamee. who have been ac-
tive In the Soldiers Families OF Amer
lea, have been added TO the organiza-
| ton committee OF the American Army
Association, which is a branch OF the
var work OF the Young Mems Christ
ian Association.
The regimental poem of the 3o7th.
Clear the We" written ny Capt.
Rainsford, was read by hts father, DR..
w. l.. Rainsford and Alexander NJ.
Wilson. director of the Atlantic Division
of the Red Cross. spoke briefly, A tele-
gram from Secretary of War Baker wac
read in which he commended the work
OF the organization.
Nine Pillar NORM, the actress, re-
| ceived what was little short OF an ova-
ton when she told OF her mother hav-
ing been killed by German soldiers. and
| waved American and French flags be-
fore the audience. A. G. Janpolski. barry
tone sang the "Marseillaise" and The
Battle Hymn OF the Republic" repeat
Ing his solos down stairs before those
who had been unable to gain admit
lance above.
Mrs. Frederick r. Rich, chairman of
the S07th Regimental Unit said she
didn't expect to see such enthusiasm
at one OF its meetings again until the
time came to welcome the boys back
after victory had been won. The longest
| and loudest cheering of the evening
thAV