New Britain herald., 1919-06-03
Y GUARD WILL DRILL NJ MORE
Lack Of Interest Causes Unit
 to DiSband

the disbanding of the unit.
 Mayor George A. Quigley upon learning of the decision of the organi- . zation to disband, said this morning that strenuous efforts would be made to revive the guard. At the next < meeting of the common council. when will be held on June IS, it is believed { that Mayor Quigley will ask the board to make an appropriation to purchase equipment for the guards. According to Mayor Quigley about $15,ooO IS needed.
 ''The City Guard has done wonder fll work during it's short existence and efforts should be made to rev'Ve the organization" said Mayor Qulgley. ..Every member of the City Guard was an auxiliary policeman and the city always had an efficient force ready to patrol the streets in case Of rot or ire In my annual message to the common council I asked that the City Guard be given financial assistance. It is with much regret that l learned this morning that the guard is to De disbanded It has been very e1li- ctent organ zatiOn and the work per formed by the guard cannot be estl- mated The members, without any Yenunera ton. devoted their time to the best interests of tho c1tN. Ihey attended military funerals ls guarded 7}ropcrty during general fire alarms and did patrol duty during the uratt' About s15,OOO is needed to put the City Guard back on it's feet, and e1- forts will be made to raise the money.''
 The following letter was received by Mayor QuigIcy this morning notifying him the guard i:' to be disbanded: s4aTry, Cz O7Ti oleV Mayor.
 New Britain, Conn.
 'Your Honorable Sir:
 'Tt is with much regret that 1 en- close here with a copy of official order that disbands the New Britain City Guard.
 Things have been stringing along the Ia st month or so and we had some yropes of reviving interest if we had some funds to work with, but as there has been so much delay, we have not heen able to raise a cOrpOraPS guard The officers at the meetings exceeded the, number of 1nen, and 1t has been impossible to continue the meetings. The present intention is to, collect the equipment and store it ill case there Is any later demand for it or the com pany is reorganized.
 s'If you have anything to suggest or say in the matter write me or direct to Captain Sampson. We wish to thank you for the work, cooperation and interest that you showed through out our short life and especially to express our appreciation of pride with which you always spoke of the New Britain City Guard which is one of the things which we always remem- bered and which frightened the monotony of drill night.
 Very truly yours.
 "E. W. PAPE, Act. Clerk.
 The official company order disband- ing the City Guard follows:
 New Britain City Guard:
 Especial Company Order.
 "The New Britain City Guard is hereby .disbanded.
 "At the monthly meeting held at the Arm ory on Thursday, May 22, due bo the lack of a quorum it was impos- sible to transact business and as there was not 25 dissenting vote re- quired. by the bylaws, I hereby de- clare the City Guard disbanded.
 "All memb bers are ordered to return all equipment to Supply Sergeant Baehr at the Armory at which time they will receive their discharge.
 "GEO. B. SAMPSON,
 Captain Commanding"
 The New Britain City Guard was organized soon after the United States declared hostilities against Germany. When the National Guard was called to the colors and before the Home Guard became a reality, the necessity of having a City Guard was evident. The New Britain Rifle club, upon re- quest from Mayor Quigley, decided to form the City Guard. Every member of the club became affiliated with the organization. The men were armed with rifles, bayonets and about 10000 rounds of ammunition. The members were sworn in as auxiliary policem en and were subject to the call of the mayor in case of a riot or a general fire alarm. About 150 men were in the guard when it was first organized, but its ranks were later depleted by members entering the service of Uncle Sam. The result of training with the City Guard later became evil dent, for practically every member who enlisted secured a non- commits stoned officers berth in the Army.
 During the time when the draft boards were in full swing. the City Guard patrol1ed three wards and kept order. They also responded to the general alarm at the Annex fire. The guard also acted as an escort of honor at every military funeral in the city
 The New Britain City Guard had the reputation of being the only mili- tary infantry organization armed with bayonets and rifles in the state which was subject to the call of the mayor The Home Guard is only subject tc the call of the governor of the state