The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-03-17

"OnIy since visiting these plants and cantonments throughout the country" said General John J. Persh- ing at the Manufacturers banquet last night, "have I obtained an idea of the work which was being done in this country to assist us oversees. The impressions which I received to- day will be lasting ones and will al- ways make me appreciate the war time efforts of the manufacturers of this metropolis of Connecticut
 General Pershing in addressing the huge crowd in The StratfeId ball room stated that he accepted the re- ception rendered him by the city not for himself but for the men he com manded overseas of whom he stated that no higher record for moral con- duct was ever made by any real army in history.
 Yesterday afternoon General Pershing accompanied by Mayor Will son and prominent manufacturers of the city made a hurried tour of in spection of the various wartime plants of the city, visiting in turn the Remington Arms-U. M. C., the Lake Torpedo Boat Co.,, the Locomobile and the BuIIard gun shop. Because AOA SA1AS spectfon it was rather hurried in ua- ture but General Pershipg stated afterwards that it was one of the most remarkable exhibitions of war time manufacturing that he has seen in this country.
 At the conclusion of the inspection tour General Persh1ng proceeded to the Armory where several thousand school children awaited his coming. So impatient had the youngsters be- come that things were fast becoming unmana geab1e and for a time there was serious danger that some of the smaller children might be injured in the rushing and crowding. Strenuous work On the part of officials and the older High school boys, however, prevented any harm and at the ar rival of General Pershing things had become practically normal
 Addressing the children General Pershing stated that patriotism in this country was instilIed at the knees of our mothers, and encouraged and nourished in the schools of the coun- try. The general emphasized the fact that after the boys of this country have received some measure of mill tary training they make the best sol diers in the world. He was introduce ed by Chief Justice Wheeler.
 At the conclusion of his address 1 General Pershing presented Charles A. Wheeler, Jr., with the $25 in gold offered as prize in the army recruit 1 ing essay contest
 1 Speaking at the Manufacturers ban uuet at the Stratfield last night Con- gressman Schuyler Merritt denounced as insidious the plan fC4 a separatt Department of Education under 6 Cabinet head. Congressman Merritt pointed out that if this plan were t' be adopted it would be but a few years when all the children of th' country would be under partisan rui. of and subject to the influences O any party which happened to be il control of national politics at the time The Hon. James M. Beck who fol 1 lowed Congressman Merritt as speake | denounced the tendency to direct ac l tion'' on the part of labor during th4 past as opposed to relief through tn ballot box
 The speaker urged labor organiza tions to choose men for their leader
 who have ideals and principles an will teach their followers to have prid Ain their work and pride in their free