Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-05-08
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II BEST UTTON

The prompt withdrawal of the coast guards that have been blieteo
here. with the exception of a number sufficient to care Tor the properly
that the guards still have in and about this city, IS by a ~ pest %"
ton that could be made for a most difficult problem d oe reslss -
that the termination of the coast guards stay here should be marked
viii so much hard feeling and unpleasantness.
Perth Amboy has had these boys here since the time the United
States entered the war. While it has always been considered a mistake
NV noarl evervo that one of the most prominent corners of our prin-
cipal business thoroughfare should have been picked out o noasns
these men-a location near the main railroad station "hereh unuie
of people are passing daily and where the business life OF M Guy Is
oraotost tbore was n o disposition ON the part of the city to complain
openly, feeling that whatever the government deemed neceSSa,S "
the prosecution Of the war to a successful conclusion would d. Nau'
accepted regardless OF the inconvenience ID "e"'
for the time being.
The city has done its best to make the stay OF these fellows a
happy one while here. The homes of the people were thrown open 10
them; the Y. NJ. c. A. gladly offered all Of its facilities; the women Oh
the city baked pies and cakes and gave up their evenings t. n en'er-
tainment of the boys, introducing their daughters at social functions
in order that these fellows who had given up SO much IN order TO 10
their part in making the world safe for democracy might be made 10
feel at home.
And we are glad to say that, on the whole, the coast guards have
shown their appreciation of what has been done for them There have
been some mighty fine fellows in their ranks, some of those who have
been biThted here have even returned when on a turlow II WISH Tn
place and renew old acquaintance that had been so pleasantly formed
while they were stationd here. ALL of this speaks well Tor the guards
and for the city.
OF course, there have been the Objectionable characters along
with the good. That was to be expected. 1t would be impossible to
gather such a large body of men from all sections of the country to-
gether and not find some black sheep among them. Some of these OBJ
iectionabe characters have done much to offset the good IMPRESSION
the others have made. It to be regretted.
And now there is reason to believe that the end is in sight At
least there is reason to believe that with the expiration OF the lease that
the govrnment has on the building now occupied at Smith and Maple
streets on June 30, the guards will be Withdrawn from this city en-
tirely.
It is well. In the meantime about thirty picked men Will stay
here to look after the government property. These are men who have
been here before; they are well known in Perth Amboy; they had no
part in the recent troubles and there is every reason why they should
sontinp1 - - 1errrAas courteousy as they have been treated in the
The war is over and the army is being domoblized- Men are be-
ing sent back to civil life. Conditions are being restored to normal
and to a peace basis as quickly as possible. 1t is fitting, therefore that
one Of Perth Amboys most prominent corners should no longer be used
as a barracks for service men. The very fact that men in uniforms are
stationed there attracts unusual attention and draws a-crowd. Many
people have avoided Smith street in the vicinity of the Central railroad
station ever since the guards have been there solely because OF the
characters hanging about the place on opposite corners and nearby.
For this the guards were not entirely to blame. The mistake was made
in the first place in picking out such a prominent place for their head
quarters.
But the end is now in sight. Perth Amboy has certainly borne
her share of the war burdens, including the terrible explosion. 1t was
to be hoped that we could see it all through without any untoward
event that would mar the service performed. With the last company OF
the coast guard to arrive here so promptly removed by the authorities
perhaps the events of the past few days can be forgotten and the
pleasant relations that existed before can be resumed SO that the last
days Of the guards among us will be as happy and as pleasant as were
those of former occasions when boys who were a decided credit to the
uniform they wore, were among us.