New Britain herald., 1927-11-19

] tS, W iIhe the ulON bu there are limits to everything. Ant some day, when We have passed tht bounds of endurance, We are goinl to arise and throttle the nandies person connected with some terrible
 picture, no matter if it be the star an extra, the man in the projection booth, an usher, or even some unfor. tunate who, like ourselves, is merely watching.
 Drivers who use the eastside route to Newington and Hartford appreci- ate the thoughfulness of the state highway department in recently giv- ing the ahutments of the trolley fridge at Elm Hill 6 coat of white paint, thereby reducing the prob- ability of accidents at that point. It is an improvement which, though inexpensive, is important.
 For the benefit of drivers who may not be familiar with the terri tory the highway department could
 go a step farther and paint on the
 Elm Hill side of the bridge a warn ing that the road approaches the railroad crossing at the bottom of the declivity. Strangers have re- marked that they have not been aware of the proximity of the cross ing until they pass under the bridge and, when the road is wet, this warning is not sufficient A sign on the brige, illuminated at night, would point out danger to life and limh.
 The Observer recently saw an au- tomobile come down the hill while the pavement was wet. The driver of the car. which was from another state, apparently did not know of the presence of the railroad tracks. AS he passed under the bridge the red signal light at the crossing flash cd a warning that a train was ap- preaching. The driver had the alter native of speeding his car or apply ing the brakes suddenly with the possibility that he would skid Tn front of the train. He decided to step on the acCelerator and, luck be- ing with him, he passed in front of the locomotive but with not more than twenty-five yards to spare. The route to NewingtOn via Hart
 ford is becoming increasingly popu- lar since the construction of a new road by the highway department. The state should take every measure of precaution to make it safe.
 Where is the spirit of yesteryear That question, in many different forms. has passed the lips of many alumni of the New Britain High school, where the approach of a football clash with Hartford was once the signal for everyone to let loose" a flow of enthusiasm that had been pent up for year. Rallies and impromptu parades were in order and the talk of Beat Hartford was heard on the lips of all. Even stud ies tool, a back seat the week of the game, since faculty, as well as pupils were agog in anticipation oi the annual grdiron classic,
 Times have changed. The facul- ty is still interested in the game and probably the student body, as q whole, is, after a fashion. But the rallies are half-hearted affairs Cheering practice is not nearly as noisy as is a section room when the teacher steps outside for a minute and the wild, rabid youthful fans of former days have given way to the worldly young people. to whom a football game, more or less, means nothing, since school doesn't close for the event
 In former days. tickets for the game were at a premium. Every went to the game, anxious lest the team might not bring the glory oi victory 10 the school. The spirit ol the student body was of a sort tc put even Yale and Harvard tc shame. Anyone who rooted for Hartford was considered a deadly enemy and many were the heated arguments between rival factions or the day they met at the field.
 And the cheer leaders didn't have to suggest cheers. Livewire enthu- siasts in the crowd along the side | lines never failed to start the shout , ing, in which the entire New Brit ain asscmbage joined. If the cheer leaders didn't keep on the move all the time, they were informed of the fact from the sidelines. Those l cheer leaders, in the old days, had to work almost as hard as the play. CTS on the field.
 And after the games! If New Britain was victorious. the city was turned over to the student body o1 the high school, at least for short time. The games. when played iI
 New Britain, took place at St
 Mary's field and parades from the 1 field to Central Park were formed ! the joyous rooters snake dancing al' the way from Allen street to the center of the city. A Hartford root CT at such time was lucky to es- | cape with his scalp still in it's ac, customed location. And then, wher the huge crowd had gathered around the fire hydrant at the south end ol the park, a cheer leader took hi; none too steady place atop the fire i fighting equipment, and led songs and cheers until long after supper time. Until late hour did the happy youngsters celebrate and un. | less some of the more daring became too rambunctious, they were allow.
 ed to go their way, since even tho | police were heartily in accord witt l the demonstrations, even thougf | tbcir djpnjtv and rpaponei bilit ,