The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-05-17

tween the headquarters ana the swift
flying airplanes and seaplanes when
other methods were impossible.
America will not be behind other ma
tions in this matter, declares writer
in the New York Sun. Soon after his
arrival in France General Pershing
cabled home for cOOps, pigeons and
staff of men to take care of them.
Through the American Racing Pigeon
union, which has a membership of
more than 1,SO0 racing pigeon fanciers,
arrangements were quickly made for
the first shipment. y. c. Buscall of
Riverdale, Nd, and ]. L. Carney of
Pittsburgh, Pa, both expert racing
homer breeders, were appointed lieu
tenants and went across with staff
of men and the first batch of pigeons.
In the early part of 1917 Frank J.
Griffin, an enthusiastic racing homer
breeder of New Rochelle induced the
authorities at fort near his home to
let him set up q loft there and equip
1t for testing purposes. The trials
proved so successful that this permits
sion was extended and with the CO.
operation of his fellow members in
the homing pigeon clubs he set up and !
equipped eight lofts containing from
100 to 125 birds each in various other |
forts along the Atlantic coast.
Draw on 1900 Pigeons.
Most Of these pigeons were supplied |
by members of what was at that time |
the New York Concourse association, |
which has since become amalgamated |
with the United Homing Pigeon con-
course, representing about $50 lofts,
which control approximately 1900
pigeons.
Following General Pershng'S message
Mr.. Griffin was commissioned major
with direct supervision of the newly
created pigeon section of the signal
corps, with headquarters in the chief
signal office in Washington. Certain
army officials throughout the country
were designated to carry out the work
of getting lofts and pigeons for this
new branch of the service. Negotia-
ttons were quickly opened with the
racing homing pigeon clubs.
Being trained racer of homer pig
ss.- |
cons, Major Griffin recognized the ne
cessity Of getting only pigeons whose
parents had proved their worth on the
road, and all collectors have been in
structed to issue leg bands only to
such breeders as are known to be men,
bers Of some Of the racing homer clubs
and have birds with records that can
be verified to breed from. This rule
has been strictly adhered to since so I
much depends on the fitness of the I
pigeon that no chance can be taken. |
To Sell Pigeons at Cost. {
The government has agreed to pay /
50 apiece for each pigeon accepted. Il
This is regarded by homing pigeon men t
rs q low price, since some Of the par d
ents could not be purchased for less t.
than $50 to $25 apiece, and young a
sters from such bloOded stock sell for a
So, 81 and even higher prices. The i
price Of 81 was arrived at through fig Il
lring the cost Of raising a young pig. n
e9n and the fanciers patriotically
lgreed to it. O
= About 1900 pigeons have already bl
'een shipped across to France and b,
company of nearly 100 trained pigeon o,
men has since gone to take charge of
hem. The government has decided to
and equip lofts at all the pi
amps in the country so as to familiar 4,
re the signal corps recruits with the gi
lew service. The pigeons are to be ii
lsed when atmospheric conditions in Il
erfere with the electrical and wig bC
vagging modes of communication. nj