New Britain herald., 1918-01-03
BOOM NOTED ON
 TROLLEY EXPRESS
Railroad Congestion PopulariZeS
 Shipments by Electric Road LETTER FROM FRAN CE
Leon Roberts Says People Should Not Forget Men in France-BasketbaI Game Scheduled for Friday Even mg-PIainvilIe Briefs .... ....

During the past month or two the shipment of goods by trolley express has been heavy and, judging from the way they are coming in there is no doubt that the manufacturers of Con- necticut are having their share of war orders issued by the government. Be- cause of the fact that the railroads are tied up when it comes to having enough freight cars for making ship ments, there has been a big increase in the amount of shipping done by trolley express. All over the state merchants and manufacturers are complaining as to the condition of goods received when shipped by rail- road freight or express, and also of the poor service given them on deliv- cry, and for this reason many of them were induced to try the trolley ex- press.8
 Basketball Game Arranged.
 The old Plainvilie basketball team which has re-organized under the name of the "Pierce-Arrows," has already secured a game for this sea sons starter, and on Friday night will buck up against the fast Farming gton High school quintet, which will, no
  besides affording practice which has been lacking on account of not having a suitable place in which to play. Since the Town Hall burned there has not been place large enough for practice and for this reason the boys have been handicapped. Manager William Hird is fairly confident of vic- tory over the Pennington boys and will have in the lineup most of the men who played on the old team, in cluding Hird, Lotz Nelson, Bugbee and Norfeldt of New Britain. who is known in basketball circles as a fast player.
 Send Magazines to Soldiers.
 Many requests for magazines and reading material have been received during the last few weeks from the American soldiers who are fighting in France, a great many whom are from Connecticut homes. Considering the fact that there are thousands of American men over there, it will re- quire thousands of books, papers, and magazines to keep them supplied with the kind of reading matter they were accustomed to before they left their homes. The government provided a way of getting plenty of reading mat ter to the boys when it passed the law which allowed magazines to be sent across for one cent each, but it looks as though the public has not yet taken advantage of the plan because of the small amount of shipments be- ing made. The people of Plainville and all over the state are urged to CO., operate and to do all in their power to meet the need of the soldiers promptly. Mailing instructions are given on each magazine and care should be taken that no magazines published before the special law was passed are sent because they do not carry the special printed instructions which are necessary to their for Warding.
 Roberts Writes From France.
 An interesting letter has been re- ceived by Mrs. c. c. Roberts of 21 East street, from her son Leon, who is with the United States Army somewhere in France" in which he states that he has received the to- bacco which was sent him. He also tells about the drilling and hard 1 training the soldiers are being put l through to get them in condition for i the front and he makes a statement l
  the drafted men through the same l stuff when they arrive. He also re- marks regarding the hard times they l have in getting such things as sweat CTS, socks and other wearables which ] are badly needed and to put it in his own way 'It's about time the town got wise and sent some things to us l fellows, instead of to the drafted men, | because they are where they can buy | all those things and we can't get them l under any condition" He says that l the boys would like to make visit | to Paris if they get the chance before l they have to come back, but that the l highest ambition of the soldiers is to 1 see Berlin, Germanv.
 Ice Cutting at White Oak.
 M. L. Rhodes of New Britain has a force of men at work at White Oak cutting the seasons ice crop. It is re- ported that this years crop is the best that has been had for a number of | years, being of a fine, clear quality and free from snow. The ice runs from fl to 6 inches in thickness. A great deal of trouble has been exper- fenced in getting men to cut the ice but nevertheless much of it will be cut and stored away in the houses for next summers use. The ice dealers will probably charge the same price next summer as they did last year. The prices for last year were 50 cents a hundred for stores. 25 cents hun dred for markets and 40 cents a hun dred for family use.
 The Grange whist which was to be held tomorrow night has been post poned until further notice on account of the shortage of coal.
 visiting Miss May Cunningham of visiting Miss May Cunninghom of Maple street over the holidays.