Pacifists Not Wanted in 'Y' Work in France

From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, April 16: No Socialists, pacifists, or men of German parentage will be considered for recreational and educational work of the Y.M.C.A. in France. This was the message brought to Indianapolis today by a delegation, led Arthur G. Knebel who is executive secretary of the “Ys” war personnel board, which is touring the country to assist in enlisting the 1,000 men needed each month to work overseas. Knebel strongly emphasized that even in the face of the immense demands being made on the Y.M.C.A., only men of the highest character, in the best of health, over the draft age, but not over fifty years of age, can be used for the association’s work in France. Business and professional men, particularly, are being sought. The Allies have asked the Y.M.C.A. to provide recreation for their soldiers.

“Pacifists Not Wanted in ‘Y’ Work in France,” The Indianapolis News, 16 April 1918, p. 4:3

#worldwarone #YMCA #pacifism #socialism #antiGermansentiment

Cheers Ring in City's Streets as Drive Opens

From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, April 7: The largest parade in Indianapolis history wound through eighteen blocks of the city’s downtown yesterday unleashing a patriotic fervor the likes of which has never before been seen. A pageant of 40,000 men, women and children on foot, in automobiles, and on scores of strikingly decorated floats took over two hours and thirty minutes to pass the reviewing stand at Pennsylvania and Vermont Streets. “Buy Bonds!” was the cry heard by the giant crowd of over 200,000 persons who thronged the streets watching the parade. The opening day of the third Liberty Loan drive began at dawn as sleepers were awakened by the roar of airplanes over the city firing machine guns and bombing the inhabitants with Liberty bond messages. Never has the “Win the War” spirit been more determinedly in evidence.

“Cheers Ring in City’s Streets as Drive Opens,” The Indianapolis Star, 7 April 1918, p. 1:2

#LibertyLoan #bonddrive #parade #worldwarone

Sewage Disposal Plan is Decided on by Board

From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, April 6: Based on a report that White River is being polluted by sewage from Indianapolis, the city’s board of sanitary commissioners yesterday adopted resolutions providing for the building of a sewage disposal plant southwest of the city on the 184 acre Sellers farm at the junction of Eagle Creek and White River. Currently the farm is the site of the garbage reduction facility for the city. Preliminary plans including maps, drawings and specifications show that the cost of the plant is estimated at $1,912,000 (2017: $31,724,070). However, since the government has assumed control over all municipal bond issues because of the war, the federal reserve will have to approve the issuance of bonds for the work. This action was taken under the provisions of the sewage disposal law enacted by the last state legislature.

“Sewage Disposal Plan is Decided on by Board,” The Indianapolis News, 6 April 1918, p. 1:7

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#onehundredyearsago #WhiteRiver #publicworks #publichealth #sewagedisposal #EagleCreek #sanitationcommission