Perth Amboy evening news., 1924-09-13
CITY OBSERVES
DEFENSE DAY.;
BAND CONCERT
Patriotic Talks at Industries
and Schools Yesterday
by Volunteers
MASS MEETING IN PARK
Rev. WiIbert Westcott and
Mayor Wilson Speak Last
Night to Hundreds
MASS MEETING IN PARK

The observance of National De-
fense Day was brought to a fitting
close in Perth .Amboy last night at
a community gathering in City Hall
Park which was attended by several
hundred who greatly enjoyed the
concert given by the Goodwill band
and the speeches by Rev. Wilbert
Westcott and Mayor William G..
Wilson.
A varied program of new and old
popular selections was rendered by
the Goodwill Band. many automo-
biles being parked around and near
the park while hundreds stood about
the platform during the duration Of
the affair. The police stopped traf-
fic around the northern end of the
park and handled the traffic so that
1t did not interfere with the concert
and speaking. Although no an
nouncement was made as to any
speechmaking the spectators were
agreeably surprised when announce
ment was made by Ronald Kleckner,
chairman OF the American Legion
committee in charge of the days OBJ
servation in this city. that Rev. Will
bert Westcott would speak. The
pastor spoke in Woodbridge earlier
to make a stirring patriotic address
in which he emphasized the duty of
every American in times of peace as
we'll as in war
Mayor Wilson congratulated the
Legion upon its efforts in having the
day suitably observed in the city
and spoke highly of the uniform nag
display plan which was put into
operation on the main streets or the
city for the first time yesterday. The
mayor also spoke along patriotic
lines stressing the need of prepared
ness.
The various volunteer speakers
made their scheduled addresses at
various plants in the city at noon
while in the afternoon the pupils in
the various school were given ap-
propriate talks. Chairman Kleck-
ner addressed the high school stu
dents, who filled the spacious audi
forum. Fenby w. Scott, Y. M. G.
A. Boys Work secretary, spoke to
the vocational school pupils. The
securing and assignment of speakers
was handled by James A. Larcombe,
Y. M. C. A Industrial secretary.
A splendid program was presented
by the local Third Battalion Naval
Militia last night, in observance OF
National Defense Day.
The battalion modified on board
the u. S. T. S. Newton, at the foot
of Fayette street, at o'clock, and
then took part in the ex-service
mems demonstration at the City
Hall Park. In all about 125 men
and officers were in line in full uni
form.
Following the demonstration, the
battalion returned to the Newton,
where Judge Harold e. Pickersgill
gave an interesting talk to the men.
The judge talked on the early his
tory of Perth Amboy, taking in the
Revolutionary War and naval activi-
ties in this section at that time. He
also touched on the aims and pur-
poses of Defense Day.
A smoker and entertainment fol-
lowed the judges talk. Three inter-
esting boxing bouts took place and
refreshments were served during the
entertainment, which consisted of
vocal and musical numbers.
An interesting program was rem
dered at the grammar school yes
terday afternoon at 2 o'clock in
honor of Defense Day. The scholars
anu tedcHeTS, HuiilperilS dDout l,AVV
persons, assembled at the school and
reverently gave the following pro-
gram:
Pledge and flag salute; singing of
the Star Spangled Banner; concert
recitation by the pupils of room No.
Is, of the Preamble of the Consti-
tuition; "What the Flag Means to
Me-" by the pupils of room No. IA;
Paul Steel, principal of the school
then gave a short talk on "What We
Defend on Defense Day." The exer
cises closed by the singing of
America"
Following this program, other
programs were given in the assem-
blies and various class rooms.