New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-09-12
LADY From He'll, Past so, Fears
Politics In Servicemen's Cause
Charles Williams. A. L.
State Esecutiyeman, Tells
of Extravaganza of Re-
Mobilization.

THERE'S nothing spectacular aheu
me or my sefNieei I'm Just one o.
those buds that went over but didn'
happen 10 go on" Charles william,
who arrived In the city last night q
attend the American Legion eansen'
ten told the Herald" this morning
This despite the fact that Williams
who IL a member OF the state ekeeu-
the committee. ard WIN Is past So
YEARS OF age, is perhaps the oldest
man In the state who was on the mr.
Ing line In the World war and was
Ne only state representative who
saw actual service, having left the
halls OF the state capitol in Hartford
IN 1917 10 enlist in the CANADIAN
forces. A bullet wound In the chest
and severe gassing after period
Of intensive fghtins, so severe that
his Jet black hair was turned to
snowy white. caused Williams 10 be
sent hack OF the lines aud ended his
days OF lighting, For the past four
months he has heen patient at
Perrytovn. Nd. federal hospital.
When the Canadian government
was given permission 20 come into
the United States in 1917 and enlist
men for army service. Williams was
one OF the 10000 New Englanders
who signed up. He was representing
the town OF Plainneld In the general
assembly. but gave UP hts seat In the
legislature TO go into the service. He
went TO Canada and then overseas.
When the Canadian forces were reor-
ganized. he was attached TO the Royal
Engineers.
Was With "BIack Watch
Williams served with the BLACK
Watch" or as the outfit was familiar
iy known In the war zone. the ladies
from He'll and with this unit went I
into Mesopotamia and In italy where |
he was severely wounded.
After fostilities had ceased and the /
troopers had been brought back to /
Canada, he was released from service. .
He became connected with the Ameri- |
can Legion at Moosup. his native
town. and was active In state Legion
circles The effects of his gassing and
chest wounds made II imperative that
he seek milder climate so he went to
Florida where he remained for a time.
Returning north, he suffered a re-
lapse at Baltimore and for the past
four months has been In federal
hospital.
Fears Politics In Rehabilitation
Williams will attend meeting of
The state executive committee tonight
Ind will tell of his personal observa-
ion in a federal hospital He fears
greatly that the work of the veterans
bureau in rehabilitation will be ham
,ered by the injecting of politics. If ,
he soldier question becomes hone :
II contention between the big politi-
al parties. Williams fears that Bit
.er fight will ensue and in the end
he soldier will still remain bone, 4
more.
He pointed out that the government q
8 spending one and quarter mil
ions every "a hours for rehabilta- \
ion; that $4,000 men need hospitali- {
alton and that 10000 employees, or
ne for every two needy men, are be-
ne paid money that should go to the {
oldiers. He has also observed in gov
rnment hospitals that the number OF /
octors. nurses. orderlies and other 4
ttaches Is far greater than the num- f
er Of patients Until these conditions n
re remedied, he can see no brighter
respects for benefitting the service Fl
ZEN. a
Williams was granted leave of p
bsence at the hospital so that he
light attend the convention and he &;
urried at once to New Britain. He
lans to return to Perrytown after the :,
nal session SATURDAY. v