Racine County, Wisconsin - Chapter 18: Clubs, Societies, Politics and Some Incidents, 1920

Chapter 18: Clubs, Societies, Politics and Some Incidents

ALL civic and fraternal organizations turned tlieir whole membership into committees for war and relief work during the period of hostilities. After the men began to i-eturn home from service, they assisted in giving them a cordial community welcome and in most instances gave dinners and entertainments for their own returning members. Such lodges as the Masons, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Pythias, etc., had special bureaus to watch out for the welfare of their members everywhere. The Eagles provided a death benefit of $1,000 for families of all members who might die in service. Several Racine families were beneficiaries of this plan. The Elks made a special effort to assist the welfare work of the Salvation army and Red Cross, and were active in all lines of war work. It gave a big "welcome home" banquet to the members of the two batteries and the ambulance company after they had come back from France. All societies and lodges aiTanged to carry the membership of men in service without requiring payment of dues. They also sent gift packages to men in service.

The Racine Commercial club was the leading civic organization in the community at the outbreak of the war and embraced in its membership about 500 of the leading business men of the city. It dropped almost every form ol activity excepting such as were related to the great conflict. Its offices were used for recruiting purposes, public meetings of all sorts were held there and many of the official governmental agencies made their headquarters in the club rooms on Main street, at the corner of Fifth street. It co-operated with all war organizations and originated the plans for many. It was Secretary Walter H. Reed who proposed the establishment of the War Relief Fund. The report of Secretary Reed on Nov. 1, 1918, is given here in part to show the manner in which this and other organizations were transformed during the conflict:

"It hardly seems necessary, in offering a summary of the various activities of the Commercial Club during the past year, to call attention to the fact that the first consideration of the organization was that which should unquestionably be supreme with evei'y individual citizen of this country, and that is to Help Win the War in which we are now engaged. All other activities which the Commei'cial Club could conduct at the present time would amount to but very little or even to nothing, if the lack of patriotic national support by every community would I'esult in the defeat of the thousands of 'our boys' engaged in the actual struggle against autocracy and Hunnish frightfulness.

"With a full appreciation of the crisis confronting our Democracy and the apparent need of whole-hearted support by every individual and every organization, the Racine Commercial Club has, during the past year, endeavored to meet every demand from this direction. In consequence it has been necessary to refrain from promoting many activities which normally could easily have been taken care of, and without a doubt every loyal citizen of Racine approves that the Commercial Club continue to give prior consideration to all national issues and to all demands made upon it by the Government to assist as best it can towards the successful prosecution of the war. Because of this policy the Club has been looked to by the community as the organization expected to take the lead in the many issues of the past year, and a review of these activities will indicate that through the Club the community forces were well mobilized and that success marked every endeavor. Accordingly the Club considers as its most important and foremost achievement the fact that it is helping to win the war.

Trade Board, U. S. Shipping Boai-d, the Emergency Fleet Corporation, U. S. Food Administration, Railroad Administration, the United States Fuel Administration and the Council of National Defense. During the year frequent requests have come from different departments and boards of the Government for suggestions of men qualified and trained for particular lines of service in Government employment. In many instances names have been furnished which have resulted in the selection of men thus suggested for Government service.

"The history of the year under review has demonstrated that the Club members are willing to make any sacrifice necessary to enable the nation to fulfill its destiny in helping to win the war. The conditions under which business has been conducted necessarily fluctuated from time to time, leaving the business men uncertain as to the amount of sacrifice really required, as to the regulation or procedure under which they should continue their affairs so that they might preserve their business integrity and thereby be prepai-ed to meet the nation's needs after the military side of the war is over. Through the vision and solemn judgment vested in the Directors and staff this organization has been able during the year to render great assistance to the business men in meeting the war problems surrounding the conduct of business.

"Not a day passes by but some request is received from the Government to co-operate in some special respect or to furnish information or submit records. These requests come from the different commissions, administrations, boards and bureaus, all having as their objective the successful prosecution of the war. At the request of Government depaitments the Club also distributed several hundred pamphlets on various subjects, such as canning, preserving, selection of foods, conservation of fuel, federal income tax reports, etc.

"The first year of participation in the World War by the United States has produced unprecedented problems both for Government and for business. In the attempt to solve these problems, co-ordination and co-operation between Government and business is one of the necessary elements. The events of the past year have demonstrated that this is more and more being understood, and that to an increasing degree the machinery of such organizations as the Racine Commercial Club, already existent and prepared for service, has been utilized and has proven to be an efficient instrumentality for service in our present war problems.

"This fact emphasizes the opportunity afforded to business men and business units for co-operating and serving through participation in such an organization."

The local Knights of Columbus were very active throughout the war in supporting a field organization to distribute comforts to the men in service. Every member of this powerful Catholic organization was assessed for the purpose, not only in Racine but throughout the country. Less than two weeks after the start of the war the Racine lodge offered its services in any way desired to the County Council of Defense, and a committee consisting of Rev. A. J. Berg, George W. Miller, T. A. Fagan, James Higgins, Vilas H. Whaley, Jerome J. Foley, A. D. Hermes, Edmund Collins, Edward Kosterman, L. B. Sanders and Dr. John Hogan was appointed to carry out this purpose.

Even children had their part in the war work. Through the schools and churches, they were organized to plant war gardens, sew for the Red Cross, dedicate their nickels and dimes to the purchase of Thrift Stamps, or to the relief of the orphaned children of France and Belgium.

Girls as young as six or seven years of age were taught to knit squares of woolen yarn, which were sewed together at Red Cross workrooms and then sent to Europe to serve as shawls and blankets for refugees.

The Boy Scouts proved a most valuable organization. There was hardly a patriotic gathering during the war at which these manly young fellows did not play some part. There were eighteen Troops in Racine, with a total membership of about 400.

The boys of these troops served as ushers at Liberty Loan meetings, and distributed posters for government agencies. They delivered War Relief Fund information cards to practically every home in the city, and performed similar work for many of the war activities. When large contingents of draft men were leaving, they patrolled the streets along the line of march, and they were of great assistance to the police in regulating traffic during parades and upon the occasion of the battery's homecoming.

On the "gasless" Sundays they took the license numbers of all automobiles seen on the streets. During the influenza epidemic they served as messengers for the Red Ci-oss and other relief organizations, and they even were utilized to call upon those who were back in their payments to the War Relief Fund. The various troops planted two acres of war gai-- dens. They secured 2,970 members for the Red Cross in 1918 and solicited $463,300 for Liberty bonds. Many received medals from the U. S. Treasury Department for selling Liberty bonds. Among- them were:

The war had its effect upon politics. It was a vital issue in the congressional campaign in 1918, and that bitter struggle at the polls resulted in the defeat of Congressman Henry Allen Cooper of Racine, who had represented the First district for twenty-six years.

Two years before, Mr. Cooper had been reelected with but little opposition and it was becoming a popular belief that he would hold his seat as long as he lived. In 1916 President Wilson had been re-elected on a "He kept us out of war" slogan, and even this Republican district had been strong for Wilson against his Republican opponent, Hughes, who had started his campaign with intimations that Wilson was not taking a firm enough stand against Germany.

Mr. Cooper may have interpreted the vote here as meaning that the First district was opposed to war for any reason. At any rate he voted on cei'tain pre-war bills in such a way as to indicate that it would be better to stand discomforts from German activities rather than get embroiled in the conflict. When the matter of declaring war came up, he and six other Wisconsin congressmen opposed it. He had

When the election of 1918 approached, his habitual political enemies combined with those who had turned against him because of his pre-war record, and they proceeded to go after him hot and heavy. An informal conference of 400 Republicans was held at Elkhorn, May 13, 1918, at which resolutions were passed declaring, regarding Mr. Cooper's record: "That the present representative from the First district has failed to represent or interpret the true spirit of loyalty to country and devotion to the liberties and institutions demanded by the great mass of our citizens, that in voting and speaking against war with Germany he failed to protect and guard the honor of the the espionage bill he refused to recognize the deliberate violation of the hospitalities of this nation by the official representatives of the

When the convention started to select an opponent to fight Cooper at the primary election, there was a deadlock for several hours, -with various members voting for W. S. Goodland of Racine; David Agnew, Waukesha; Judge Randall, Kenosha; L. C. Whittet, Edgerton, and G. L. Harrington, Elkhorn. The convention itself was informal, but an agreement was reached whereby each county had a proportionate number of votes, and the ones to cast the ballots were to be decided by the delegates who weie present.

Eventually Judge Clifford E. Randall of Kenosha was chosen and given unanimous endorsement. A campaign followed in which every voter in the district was reached by canvassers, mail and newspaper articles. On Aug. 6, Congressman Cooper came home to defend himself. He held a meeting at Lakeside auditorium. It was one of the hottest days of the year and barely 300 persons turned out. He challenged his foes to show that he was disloyal, and said he had voted since war was declared for every measure that the President had signed. He charged his enemies with per-

Here And There In War Days

At the top, the throng that Kreetcd the batteries home: below, a draft contingent leaving. Next shows the crowd viewing a war exhibit and camouflaged railway coach; below. Horlick employes forming to join Loyalty parade. At top, right, a feature of the Armistice celebration: below. President Wilson speaking from a train. Next is a group of returned battery boys (note admiring kids in front) ; below, captured German U-boat docked at Racine on way to Chicago.

sonal animus. On Aug. 25, the Joui'nal-News contained a lengthy attack upon Cooper by Martin J. Gillen, in which it was alleged that Mr. Cooper had taken no hand in war work, and had failed to encourage his neighbors at home in their efforts. His opponent, Mr. Randall, maintained that Mr. Cooper was derelict in not even sending a message occasionally to Liberty Loan workers, and to the draft contingents about to leave for camp.

On Aug. 30 Mr. Cooper held another meeting at Dania hall, attended by 200 persons. E. E. Gittins introduced him. At the previous meeting Albert Linck of the Trades & Labor council had presided and was the only person on the stage with the Congressman.

The primaries were held on Sept. 3 and although Cooper carried Racine county by 445 and Walworth by 73, Judge Randall got a majority of 467 in Kenosha county, 94 in Waukesha and 110 in Rock, and was declared the Republican nominee by a majority of 153.

Congressman Cooper believed that the verdict did not express the will of the people, and after a fervid defense of his record in a speech before Congress on Sept. 19, he announced himself as an independent candidate for election, and obtained the necessary number of signatures to get his name on the ballot in that capacity.

The Democi-atic candidate was Calvin Stewart of Kenosha, who had run for the office several times before. Another fierce campaign followed and the candidates and their friends were kept busy making speeches and circularizing the voters. Several newspaper advertisements regarding his record appeared in the newspapers over Mr. Cooper's signature. He made a strong fight and his wide acquaintanceship stood him in good stead throughout the district, but he was defeated ovei-whelmingly at the election Nov. 5. Racine county gave him a plurality of 1000 over Judge Randall, but he was swamped elsewhere. Judge Randall was elected by 750 over Stewart and 3848 over Cooper. Congressman Cooper retired March 4, 1919, and was given a good federal job at Washington.

Despite the result of the election, there was never any reason to believe that Mr. Cooper was really disloyal. The outcome merely is an indication of the popular attitude that any person whose record did not show continuous and hearty support of all measures to maintain American rights against Germany was not a suitable man for public office.

There was considerable contrast in this respect between the feeling in the First district and in Milwaukee, which had thousands of pro- German sympathizers. Victor Berger, a Socialist, was an active speaker against government war measures even after war was declared and not only was his newspaper barred from the mails, but he was indicted and convicted for treasonable utterances. Despite this he was re-elected to Congress from the Fifth district. Congress promptly refused to permit him to be seated and declared the election null and void, in accordance with numerous precedents. Berger, while awaiting an appeal from his prison sentence, in November, 1919, became a candidate for the office again and actually was elected again due to the numerous Germans and Socialists of his district. In fact, so un-American was the district that the most pronounced objection to his election again seemed to be the fact that the voters felt he would not be able to serve because he would either be unseated again or be in the penitentiary. During the campaign the national convention of the American Legion was held and passed resolutions asking Congress to deport Berger to his native Austria.

America expected every citizen to do his part in the winning of the war. It co-operated with the governments of the Allied nations in procuring the enlistment of eligible men who were residents of the United States, but citizens of those countries. It could not. of course, require military service of men who were still subjects of alien neutral nations.

As soon as the Selective Sei-^'ice act was passed, a question arose as to the status of those foreign-bom residents who had declared their intention of becoming citizens of the United States, but had not yet applied for their "second papers." Technically they were still subjects of their mother country if they cared to ask for protection there.

In order to avoid any complications, these men were required to register and were assumed to be loyal Americans. To prevent any violation of international treaty obligations, however, Congress pro\'ided that any subject of a neutral countiy who had declared his intention of becoming an American citizen should be relieved from military sei-vice upon his making a foiinal declaration withdrawing his declaration of such intention.

Racine Figures In Cross-Channel Aerial Service

The big G Farman planes used in aerial passenger service between Paris and London have to depend on Racine for efficient handling. The picture shows a Case tractor used to haul the planes to their hangars when they come in from a trip. It is an evidence of the many uses this versatile machine can be put to. and one of the results of war advancements. It also proclaims to the world that Racine is on the map.

Getting War-Injured Lands Back On A Paying Basis

Racine figured in a great extent in the reclaiming of European lands which were laid waste by war. A fleet of Case farm tractors, plowing flelds in Italy, is shown in the illustration. They are manned by soldiers in uniform indicating office show that 77,644 declarants were registered. Of this number 818 in the whole United States obtained exemption by withdrawing their applications and thereby sacrificed forever the right to become American citizens.

In the summer of 1918 there appeared before Local Board No. 1 in Racine a certain Erik E. Ei-ickson, who had previously declared his intention of becoming a citizen, and was now called upon to maintain the honor of his adopted country by taking aiTns in her defense. But Erickson, who had left Sweden to take advantage of the opportunities offered by this free land, cared more for his own skin than he did for the country of his adoption, and wanted to keep out of the ai-my. All other methods failing, he decided to withdraw his declaration of intention. He finally perfonned this grave act, although he was given several days to think it over before he was required to make a final decision.

Walking from the office of the local board, he met an acquaintance and told him what he had done. His companion, who had been friendly with him for months, expressed his opinion of Erickson in no mild language and turned his back upon him. News of the matter I'eached the factoiy where Erickson worked,

Unable to obtain emplojTnent here, the "man without a country" went to Rockfox-d and obtained a job. A letter sent there, giving his history, resulted in his separation from his employers. He went to Minneapolis. His record followed him and he was refused work.

On September 29, Erickson, poor of purse and broken in spirit, returned to Racine and appeared before the local board, begging for an opportunity to undo what he had done. He had seen the error of his ways, and he was then willing to don a unifonn and fight, or even die, to regain the priceless right which he had thrown away to escape temporary discomfort and danger.

But it was too late. The law was inexorable. "By this action he shall FOREVER be debarred from becoming a citizen," were the words which had been pointed out to him a few weeks before and which he had chosen as a refuge from ai-my sen-ice.

With tears streaming down his face, he sunk his chin deep into his collar and slunk down the stairs, around a corner and thence into oblivion insofar as Racine is concerned.