New Britain herald., 1919-05-21
MARTIN WRITES OF LIFE SINCE NOV. II
Local Man Anxious to Get Back
 From Germany

James F. Martin, employed at the Andrews Swift company, has written the following letter to MT. Andrews from Germany:
 My Dear MT. Andrews:
 " our very welcome letter reached me a few days ago, and to say the least it surely did seem good to hear from you once more and to know that all is well, with you and at the box. It surely must have been very trying on your nerves to keep things right side up during the past. winter with all the sickness about and shortage of help and I'm very glad that you are not one of the unfor- tunate ones to be laid up. Reports are there were very few not affected. l received letters from both Boston and Chicago in response to the copy of my letter that you sent them and am writing both offices. I received a package from London a few days ago containing fancy cookies, sar- dimes, and some canned soups, so you see Swift & Go. are still on the job though the actual fighting has stop ped. have been thinking of you at the box during the past few days and wondering how many cans you have disposed of and I'll bet the egg candler has his hands full keeping ahead of the orders. ] sure would enjoy sitting down to a, breakfast of Premium ham or bacon once more and I surely intend to some day but I am not at all certain when I will leave here. The present outlook isn't very bright as far as going home is concerned as there is a new order that the Army of Occupation is to be relieved only as fast as replacem ents can be secured And even then whole companies are not going at once. The men with families greatly l in need of their help are to be sent 1 first And next come those who are l most urgently needed by firms swho l formerly employed them. Affidavits ! are needed in such cases so I guess
 I am booked for some time to come. l However, one never knows what the 1 next move will be in the army. From all reports we won't find the old U. s. | in the same condition as when we l left for this prohibition surely must l be strange. It is hard to realize a | nation bone dry and these countries l over here are as open as can be as 1 far as booze is concerned, even Sun l days and in all of my travels very 1 few trunks have been seen. With l the, exception of armistice day and l that was a good excuse I think. l am pleased to hear that the boys l from the box who are over here are
 well and I sure would like to run l across them but I hardly expect to, l as they are far away from me. We 1 are still living the same old life but ! it is getting terribly monotonous | marking time and waiting. The " M. c. A. has built a fine new recrea ton hut on the banks of the Rhine very 1 much on the style of the restaurants l and dancing paviliOns seen at sea- l shore resorts back home. There is a large main room furnished with | easy chairs and lounges for entertain
 ments and reading purposes. They
 have a German string orchestra on Nduty every day and evening which is
 well worth hearing. We are having
 real spring weather now and the ! farmers are getting in their crops l very fast. Some things are already above ground Well I guess I vii ] quit for this time. Trusting you are
 enjoying the best of health and that
 all is going smoothly at the box. Give
 my most sincere regards to all the i 'boys.'"