Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1919-04-18
Big Noon Day Meeting Planned
When Whippet Tank Comes
Into City Thursday

Perth Amboy is to have her first
glimpse of one of the war machines
which by their maneuvers on the
battlefront won q name for them
Ielves that will go down in pages Of
sistory, on Thursday noon of next
week as a part of the Victory Loan
irive here when Whippet tank,
samoufiaged and bedecked just as it
Nas on the fields of France. makes a
short visit here on its tour of the
state in an effort to let the people at
home know just what the Hun had
10 contend with IN these machines
The Whippet tank has been secured
through the efforts of Albert Leon,
who is the chairma.- of the speakers
and meetings committee. Elaborate
plans for a big, npon-day meeting
with the tank the main attraction at
tne cor ser of Smith and State streets
are now being arranged by Mr.<Leon.
This tank Is only one of large num-
ber touring the entire country in be-
half of the Victory loan campaign
and is of the type used by General
Pershing's men In breaking through
the Hindenburg line. 1t Is camou-
f1aged and equipped just as 1t was in
that historic event.
All OF the tanks are being accom-
panied by several of General PERISH
ing's men who have seen active SER
vice at the front. together with speak
efs who will address the assem- blage
at the meetings held about these
Treat EN- Rough" contraptions.
The whippet tanks are of type
smaller than the big tanks, but proved
very effective in clearing the way be-
fore the infantry during the war. Two
men man each tank. driver and a
machine gunner. They have cramp-
ed quarters and are exposed to Gin
siderable danger from heavy artillery
fire.
The tanks are propelled by 40
horsepower four-cylinder Buda
motors which average about nine
miles to a gallon of gasoline. The
an hour although II Is possible to
make ten. On each side of the tank
are huge caterpillar tractors which
traverse the rough terrain, go
through shell holes and climb the
steepest hills.
The machine gunner sits in the
turret where his 81 milimeter gun is
mounted on a swivel. On four sides
are narrow Sits, the width of a pencil
attached to the machine gun. The
driver sits in front. below the gunner,
where levers for operating the tank
are at his rigfA and left
Neither of the crew can assume a
standing position once inside the
tank. They communicate with each
other by means of telephone at
tached to their hands. as the noise
of the motor prevents ordinary con-
versation.
The largest cities in the state will
have the tank on exhibition for from
twelve to twenty-four hours while
stops ranging from two to FIVE hours
will be made in other cities and
towns.
The tank which will visit this city
will come from Metuchen, being due
to arrive here at 12 o'clock. Super
intendent Samuel E. Shull has been
requested by Mr.. Leon to close the
schools In time to allow the pupils
to see this war machine. The factory
managers are also being requested to
allow their employees two hours at
noon in order that they too might
have an opportunity to witness the
performances of the tank.
AS an appropriate means of an
nouncing the arrival of the tank every
factory whistle and church bell in
this city should be rung, a request to
this effect being made by Mr.. Leon.
The police wilh be asked to make
special arrangements for the safety OF
vehicles and pedestrians and the Boy
OCOutS Will UC ICQucblcO W NC oul Al
uniform assist as guards of safety.
Upon the arrival of the tank a.
Smith and State streets Mayor Frank
dorsey will introduce General Chair
man Adrian Lyon who will make an
address followed by other Victory
Loan speakers.
Arrangements are now being made
by Lieut.. William ". Garretson in an
effort to secure an airplane from
Mineola to maneuver above the tank
on its way to this city.
All Boy Scouts in this city are re-
quested to report at police headquar-
ters at 6:45 o'clock Monday night for
police duty. The scouts are to appear
in full uniform and each patrol is
asked to bring two lengths of twenty
foot rope. Thursday morning at II 80
o'clock the Scouts are asked to again
report at police headquarters prior to
being assigned to duty while the tank
is here.
Did you ever try Jonnart's Coffee
Cakes for Breakfast. Ask for Jonnarts
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