Work or Fight, World War I and Baseball-- Part 3: It Was the Cubs vs. Red Sox in World Series

Of interest, here are the 1918 season final standings for the National and American Leagues.  I also found the team names of interest.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

1.  Chicago Cubs
2.  New York Giants
3.  Cincinnati Reds
4.  Pittsburgh Pirates
5.  Brooklyn Robins
6.  Philadelphia Phillies
7.  Boston Braves
8.  St. Louis Cardinals

AMERICAN LEAGUE

1.  Boston Red Sox
2.  Cleveland Indians
3.  Washington Senators
4.  New York Yankees
5.  St. Louis Browns
6.  Chicago White Sox
7.  Detroit Tigers
8.  Philadelphia Athletics

How about that, the Chicago Cubs in a World Series.  They were also in a World Series in the last year of World War II.

Go Cubs!!  --CootCub

How the Jungle Gym Was Born-- Part 1: OUCH!! Stay Off Those Monkey Bars

From the November 29, 2018, Chicago Tribune by Christopher Borrelli.

You can see what is regarded as the first jungle gym in the U.S. in the backyard of the Winnetka Historical Society in Illinois, (north of Chicago).   "A monolithic, caramel-color 7-foot-tall cube of deliberately spaced sharp angles...  It looks as punishing as contemporary playground equipment is welcoming...  It's only concession to safety is the sandbox of wood chips beneath it."

Children, however, are not allowed to play on it.  But they do.

Boy, I sure remember jungle gyms, especially the one in Herman Park in Goldsboro, N.C., across from my grandparents' house.  And, yes, there were the occasional painful fall.  And, hitting the ground, as bad as that was, was further worsened by hitting bars on the way down.  A double, triple battering if you will.

Only, we called 'em monkey bars.

And, it IS the First, the VERY FIRST jungle gym.

What was that Bill Cosby used to say about playground items that he never saw adults on?

But Fun, Real Big Fun.  --Cooter

Work or Fight, WW I and Baseball-- Part 2

However, just a month into the 1918 season, Provost Marshall General Enoch Crowder, director of the military draft, decreed that by July 1, all draft-eligible men employed in "non-essential" occupations must apply for work directly related to the war -- or gamble being called into military service.

Secretary of War Newton D. Baker agreed with Mr. Crowder.  baseball players were in a non-essential job.  Get involved in a war-related job stateside or risk being called into military service.

But, MLB got sort of a reprieve and "Work or Fight" deadline was delayed for two months, until September 1.  Owners had to lobby furiously to get that date waived for World Series participants and it was.

However, that still left two weeks where as many as 15 players per team  were drafted or enlisted.

Players who remained made an impact on the league championships, won by the Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs.

--Cooter

Work Or Fight, World War I and Major League Baseball-- Part 1

From Baseball.org.  This Great Game "1918 All Work Or Fight  and No Play."

As the Great War rolls on, the U.S. government presses Major League Baseball to do more for the effort. After a threatened shutdown, they allow baseball to continue on and the Boston Red Sox win their last World Series for 86 years.

The United States declared war on Germany just days before the baseball season began.  Eventually the minor leagues shut down, the majors went forward with their full schedule for 1917.  A handful of players got drafted into the service and few enlisted.

Those who continued to play  took part in token "military" drills to show their support.  Owners  donated a lot of money to the war effort. and even rounded up baseball gear so the soldiers could play when not in their trenches.

Further pressure caused the owners to make changes for the 1918 season.  They cut down on travel, relocated spring training to sites closer to home and reduced the 1918 schedule from  154 games to 140 and, also managed to trim player salaries.

Owners countered with baseball being the National Pastime and  keeping stateside spirits and morale high.

There is a picture of the Washington senators marching in formation with bats taking the place of rifles.

A Bat For the War Effort.  --Cootbat

Work Or Fight Order: A Racist Thing?

In my posts in my Down Da Road I Go blog yesterday, I mentioned a DeKalb County company which had this order on it.

From the Records of Rights site  "Work Or Fight (1918)"

During World War I the Selective Service Division issued a "Work or Fight" order requiring all able-bodied men to either serve in the military or  work in "necessary" civilian occupations.  Some private individuals and employers in the South conspired with public authorities to use the order to force Blacks to perform menial labor for low wages.

--CootWork

Work Or Fight Order and Sunday Driving During World War I

You can read two Looking Back 100 Years Ago from 1918 in my  Down Da Road I Go blog from yesterday, February 21, 2019.  I accidentally put them in that blog and didn't want to redo them in this one.

In short, you were not supposed to go joy riding on a Sunday because of gasoline concerns.  Plus, an industry deemed important to the World War I war effort didn't have to worry about its workers either working in a war industry or signing up to fight.

--Cooter

Wreck of the Battleship HMS Vanguard, (WW I Ship)

From the January 19, 2017, North-West Evening Mail  "Wreckage of Barrow-built First World War battleship HMS Vanguard seen for the first time."

Almost 100 years after it sank.  Launched February 1909, St. Vincent-class dreadnought battleship served in the Grand Fleet under Captain J.D. Dick.

Fired its guns at the Battle of Jutland May 1916 for the first and only time and helped sink the German light cruiser SMS Wiesbaden.

But, while at Scapa Flow had catastrophic internal explosion at 11:20 pm on July 19, 1917 with a force so great it threw a 400-ton 12-inch gun to an island almost a mile away.

Eight hundred and forty-three killed instantly with only two survivors.  Fewer than fifty bodies recovered.

A section of it was raised in 1926.

It is thought that this was the result of an accidental magazine explosion.

The ship mounted ten 12-inch guns  and twelve 4-inch.  Could go 21.7 knots and was the 8th Royal Navy ship named the Vanguard.

--Cooter

Captured German Cannon Coming to DeKalb in 1919?

From the January 23, 2019, MidWeek   "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"If a bill , introduced in the house by Hon. Charles E.. Fuller of this district, passes, DeKalb, as well as the rest of the cities of Congressman Fuller's district,  is to have a real souvenir of the great war in the shape of one of the captured German cannons."


Charles Eugene Fuller was the U.S. Representative from Illinois Congressional District 12, Republican, elected in 1914, who had been reelected in 1916 by defeating  Socialist candidate  Oscar Ogren 93.4% to 6.6%.

Rep. Fuller died in 1926.  He had been a member of the House for 22 years.  Hometown Belvidere, Illinois.

There were Socialists running in most Illinois districts in 1916.  All were easily defeated by huge margins.

War Souvenirs.  --Cooter

Home Guard to Drill in DeKalb in 1918

From the December 26, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"All members of the Home Guards are ordered to report on Locust street in front of the Armory at 7:15 o'clock this evening for drill.

"All members of the company who have not been granted leave are expected to be present."

Even With the War Over, Practice Still On.  --Cooter

A Nurse Tells of Her Service in 1919

From the January 16, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"At the Sunday evening service at the Hinckley M.E. church the program was given over to those who have lately returned from military camps in the country.

"Miss Dorothy Pritchard, who was training for a nurse at Camp Wadsworth, S.C., gave a most interesting account of her experience there."

--Cooter

American Legion Paris Caucus of 1919

At the conclusion of the fighting in World War I,  officers were asked how the morale of the troops could be improved.  One officer, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. suggested an organization of veterans be formed.  He was the oldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt.

The organization's first meeting took place in Paris, France, in March 15-17, 1919, where a temporary constitution was adopted, the name American Legion selected and an executive committee formed.  Three hundred were expected to attend but it is thought that more than a thousand, both officers and enlisted, were there.

Twelve possible names were nominated, including:

Comrades of the Great War
Liberty League
Society of the Great War
American Legion
American Comrades

Well, We Know Which One Was Selected.

Come on down to the Fox Lake American Legion on Friday, March 15, where we will be having a joint  St. Patrick's Day and 100th Anniversary party.

American Legion, The 1960s and 1970s: POWs, National Emergency Fund, Freedom Bell

1960s

SEPTEMBER 1, 1966--  The Legion voices concern over POWs in Vietnam and urges full accounting.  That has now grown to include all wars.

AUGUST 24, 1969--  The Legion's National Executive Board establishes the  National Emergency Fund as a result of Hurricane Camille.  (Up to $3,000 for each member in a disaster.)

1970s

MAY 1, 1972--  Legion implements a Halloween  safety program for children which remains the only national program in the country.

APRIL 1, 1975--  The Legion-sponsored Freedom Bell goes on the Freedom Train on its tour of the country for the U.S. Bicentennial.

I will continue with these important dates in the May newsletter, on our second 100th anniversary commemoration for the St. Louis caucus.

The American Legion in the 1940s and 1950s: The G.I. Bill and Human Causes

Stepping Back Through Legion History.

1940s

SEPTEMBER 19-22, 1942:  The Preamble of the Constitution of the American Legion is changed for the first and only time since it was written in 1919.  The word "War" was changed to "Wars."

DECEMBER 15, 1943:  Past National Commander  Harry W. Colmery starts to write in longhand the first draft of what will later become the G.I. Bill of Rights, considered to be the Legion's greatest legislative accomplishment.

JUNE 22, 1943:  President Franklin D, Roosevelt signs into law the original G.I. Bill, or Servicemen's Readjustment Act, helping former military to college education, better jobs in civilian life and ability to buy houses.

JULY 9, 1946:  The Legion and Auxiliary present a $50,000 grant to the struggling American Heart Association.

1950s

MAY 4, 1950:  The Legion contributes funds and plays a key role in the establishment of The National Association for Mental Health.

JULY 9, 1954:  The American Child Welfare  Foundation is formed.    So far more than $11 million has been given to it.  The piggy banks you see around the bar are for this cause.  Pop some change in them the next time you're at the Post.

The American Legion, A Power for the Good.

The American Legion-- 1920s and 1930s

AUGUST 9, 1921

The Legion's efforts result in the creation of the  U.S. Veterans Bureau, forerunner of today's Veterans Administration.

JULY 17, 1925

The Legion  creates the American Legion Baseball program.  About 82,000 youths play Legion ball each year.

SEPTEMBER 1932

The Sons of the American Legion is officially recognized at the National Convention in Portland, Oregon.

JUNE 23 , 1935

The First American Legion Boys State convenes in Springfield, Illinois.  Today, more than 19,500  young men participate in this as well as 98 in Boys Nation.

JUNE 11, 1938

The final round of the Legion's first annual  National High School  Oratorical Contest is conducted in Norman, Oklahoma.  Today, more than 3,400 high school students compete in this.

100th Anniversary of the Legion Is March 15!!!

Happy Birthday to Us!!!

Our organization was founded on March 15-17,1919, in the American Club in Paris, France, by members of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) after the conclusion of World War I.  Another centennial commemoration will mark the May 8-10, 1919,  St. Louis Caucus.   Then, we'll have another anniversary on September 16, 1919, when the American Legion was formally chartered by the United States Congress.

So, this year, we will have three times to observe the 100th anniversary.

That's a lot of time and a lot of history.

OTHER 1919 EVENTS IN LEGION HISTORY

It was at the St. Louis Caucus that the name "The American Legion" was adopted as the official name.  The draft preamble and constitution were approved.

On June 9, 1919, the National Executive Committee adopted the Legion emblem.

The American Legion Auxiliary was also formed in 1919.

November  10-12, 1919, the first Legion Convention was held in Minneapolis.  It was decided to locate the national headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, instead of Washington, D.C..

FIRST POST

The very first post of the American Legion was actually established before the organization on March 15, 1919, when the General John Joseph Pershing Post 1 was established in Washington, D.C., on March 7 and obtained its charter on March 19.  According to the Legion Centennial website it is called the Pioneer Post.  However, the name of that organization now appears to be the George Washington Post 1.

The Legion played a leading role in the drafting and passing of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the G.I. Bill.  In addition to organizing commemorative events, members provide assistance at VA hospitals and is politically involved in lobbying on behalf of veterans.

Also important, the Legion has always promoted Americanism.

From Wikipedia and the American Legion site.

Honor Roll For the Boys In the Service in 1918

From the December 19, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Honor rolls for the boys of the American Steel & Wire company who gave up their employment to enter service have recently been placed.  One is hung across from the office of the east and west works and contains the names of 107 men now in service.  The roll of honor at the north and south works contains the names of 25 boys.

"The honor rolls are hand made with the exception of a lithographed eagle with flags at the top and are works of art, and are so protected from the weather that they will remain there for some time to come."

Hopefully There Will Be Jobs Awaiting Them Upon Their Return.  --Cooter

Malta Township Still Short On War Work Drive in 1918

From the December 19, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The township of Malta is making  a final effort today to go over the top in the war work drive, and the chairman of the committee, Jesse Plapp, has a large force of workers out on the task of securing funds.

"The township is a few hundred dollars short of its quota, but the chairman and others are confident that a full quota will be subscribed before the drive closes."

War's Over, But Still Covering the Costs.  --Cooter

DeKalb To Get A New Library in 1918

From the October 24, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"War days over, DeKalb is to have a new library.  At least that is the plan of the board here, the initial steps toward the new building being taken in the buying  of the lot directly north of the Christian Science church fronting Oak and Third streets.

"The lot, which is part of the Glidden estate, is centrally located and it presents unusual advantages for a library building.  The deal has been closed, all the details having been arranged."

--Cooter

An Eagle Comes To DeKalb in 1918: Good Or Bad Wartime Omen?

From the November 7, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"What does the appearance of an eagle mean when it enters a town during wartime.  Is it a premonition of good or evil?

"More likely the bird wanted to rest and found DeKalb a neat spot.  The bird was seen by John Anderson and others who live near the Haish school.  It was a mammoth creature and most beautiful according to those who saw it."

Of course we now know that this was the time World War I was fast approaching its end.

By November  7, 1918, the War Was Almost Over.  --Cooter

A Strange Aeroplane Over DeKalb County in 1918

From the October 24, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"A large aeroplane, flying high in the air and at a fast speed, passing over parts of DeKalb county this forenoon between 10 and 11 o'clock.  The machine was first seen when going over Hinckley and later it was seen as it passed over the northeast part of DeKalb by the piano workers.

"It is probable the machine was enroute from Rantoul to Camp Grant."

Rantoul was the site of Chanute Field which was used for airplanes during World War I.

At Least It Wasn't A German Attack By the Kaiser's Forces.  --DaCoot

Speak English Movement in 1918

From the October 10, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Speak English, write English and tell your family to  write and speak English, is the slogan now among the steel company plants here, and is but another follow-up plan of the recent Americanization meeting held here some time ago.

"On the occasion of the last pay day at the American Steel & Wire company, every check going to a worker of foreign nationality, was stamped, 'Speak English.' "

--Cooter

Even With War Over, the United War Work Campaign Goes On

From the December 12, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Malta township must not fail in the United War Work campaign.    The quota for the township is $2,900, of this amount $2,490 has been subscribed.

"The committee will continue the drive until the full amount is raised  To those who have not made the full subscription there are three reasons why you should come across, and come across at once:  First, you owe it to the boys; second to maintain the township's honor; third to maintain your honor.

--Cooter

Save Your Nut Shells For Gas Masks

From the October 10, 2018,


1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Save you nut shells,  and pits, stones and seeds from fruits, is the request sent out from the Illinois Food Administration.  Peach stones, date seeds, peach, prune, cherry, apricot, olive and plum pits, and Brazil nut, walnut and butternut shells are all needed for making the charcoal for gas masks for our army.

"Wood charcoal has proved to be deficient, so the government is sending out a plea to save every available fruit stone and pit and nut shell."

--Cooter

It Is OK To Drive to Church in 1918

From the October 3, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Advices from the State Fuel Administration to the local officials received today say:  "As to church, if they just intend to go to church and have no other means of getting there, that is all right, but it is not all right to go to go riding.

"Fuel Administrator Walter Proust received  the above message this afternoon from the state fuel administrator which will probably furnish the excuse for a good many people to use their rigs in going to church."

So, they even had a sort of fuel rationing back in World War I.

--Cooter

DeKalb County and the Spanish Flu and Polio

I get a lot of history items from the group that meets in the Joiner History Room at the Sycamore, Illinois, Library who go through DeKalb County newspapers 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago and cull stories to be used in their "Looking Back" column in the MidWeek newspaper.

It gives an interesting pulse as to events back then.

I don't know if they included every bit of news about the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 or not.  But the ones they did print seem to point out that the epidemic hit the county hardest in the fall of 1918, causing school and public event/place closings to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease.

By January the worst would seem to be over.  I have been unable to find out how many people had the disease or died from it in the county, however.

It would appear there was also a problem, seemingly as bad as the flu in regards to polio (infantile paralysis) and scarlet fever.

--DaCoot

The Rollo School District Has Sickness Problems

From the December 19, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The Rollo consolidated school opened Monday morning.  It is under somewhat trying conditions.  One teacher resigned and another was unable to be there on account of sickness in the home.

"But they soon hope to be in good working order.  The school work will be extra heavy for some time  on account of weeks of enforced closing during so much sickness."

The Spanish Flu.  --Cooter

Elva Closed Down Because of Infantile Patalysis

From the October 31, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

Elva's little world is almost at a standstill.  A case or so of infantile paralysis responsible for the closing of schools, the church has been closed because the pastor has resigned, and the clubs have been discontinued because of sickness.

"Residents there deem the extra precaution advisable.  It is probable, however, that the schoolrooms will be opened and that matters will be going along as formerly in Elva within a few days."

--Cooter