View of the Contributions Cincinnatians Under Government Surveillance As an "Enemy Alien." Made in Europe and at Home

Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 13 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War

Peggy Brierton, The war's effects reached beyond the William J. Smith and fields of France to Main Street, USA. Suddenly a per- Steven L. Wright son of "foreign" origin became suspect, and the cher- ished American right, freedom of speech, came under attack. Some of the worst reactions against German- Staff and volunteers from the Americans, German sympathizers and German cul- Collections and Research Division curated an exhib- ture occurred in Cincinnati. it in the Library commemorating the eightieth The Cincinnati School Board stopped anniversary of the end of World War I.1 Sponsored by teaching German in elementary schools. German lan- the Disabled American Veterans, Southwest Ohio guage books were banned from the public library. Chapter — American Civil Liberties Union and Taft, Ernst Kunwald, a native of Austria and music director Stettinius &) Hollister LLP, the exhibit offered a of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO), was broad overview of the contributions Cincinnatians under government surveillance as an "enemy alien." made in Europe and at home. After being forced to resign from the CSO, he was Archival materials used in "Over There, interned at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Numerous Over Here" came from the manuscript holdings of "Germanic" names of streets and businesses were the Historical Society Library. Some collections were "anglicized." German Street became English Street, donated decades ago while others were given as Bremen became Republic, and Berlin became recently as 1996.1 Woodrow. German National Bank was renamed The meaning of World War I is more sig- Lincoln National Bank. The German Mutual nificant and its impact on American society is more Insurance Company became the Hamilton County enduring than often realized. The war thrust America Fire Insurance Company, and its icon, "Germania" into the uncertain future as a leader of the world in was changed to "Columbia." the twentieth century ... a legacy which endures today. However, to many Americans the "Great War" remains nostalgic images of soldiers wearing tin hel- mets and gas masks or catch phrases like "The War to End All Wars," and "How you gonna keep'em down on the farm after they've seen Paree?" Cincinnatians, from all walks of life, served in the military, fought the battles and undoubt- edly made great contributions to ending the war in 1918. They were not alone. Many other Queen City residents went "Over There" to help make the world safe for democracy, from the corridors of power in the palaces of Europe to the numerous "Y" Huts in France. Whether a diplomat, soldier, nurse, YMCA worker, or progressive minded citizen, the war and their wartime experiences had major impact on their lives.

Peggy Brierton, a William J. Smith, a Steven L. Wright, Archivist, Manuscript/Business Manuscript/Business Business Historian, Cincinnati Archives volunteer for over Archives volunteer for over Museum Center has a M.A. in two years, has a B.A. in four years, is the former Vice history from the University of history from Marquette President of Human Cincinnati. University. Resources for Quantum Chemical Company. Queen City Heritage Edward F. Alexander the position of city solicitor and, only after launching a vigorous fight, was he appointed the assistant solicitor. He ran unsuccessfully for judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1930 and for U.S. Congress from the Second District in 1932. Political opponents never failed to shed a negative light on his work for civil liberties during the war. Alexander remained assistant solicitor m m* •:.:'ti',.-' until 1947 when city leaders appointed him special counsel. He served in this capacity until he retired in 1957. He continued to practice law until a few years before his death in 1967.

DOWN WITH CONSCRIPTION The 1st Amendment to the Federal Constitution. CongreBS shall roake no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or ftl>rid»cing the freedom of SPEECH, or of the prom; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Govetnment for a redress of grievances. Tlie 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads:

A native Cincinnatian, Edward F. Alexander was born in 1877 and grew up in the Mohawk/Brighton area. He attended "Old" Woodward High School and graduated in 1895 as class valedictorian. His valedictory address ironically was titled, "The Unreasonableness of War." He continued his education at Harvard, graduating in 1899 with a BA and earning his MA degree in 1900. Alexander returned to Cincinnati and taught Greek and Latin at UC while studying for his law degree, which he earned in 1906 from the College of Law. In addition to practicing law, Alexander was one of the founders of Cincinnati's Charter Party in the early 1920s, and the key organizer and supporter of incorporating Proportional Representation (PR) into the city's new charter. However, his defense of the Socialists during World War I and close friendship with Herbert Bigelow took their toll. He was denied

"In coming before this court In preparation for the local days. A few days later, feder- with an argument for the Socialist Party's protest rally al agents arrested Burke and reversal of the conviction and against the Selective Service Thomas Hammerschmidt, sentence, counsel feels Act on June 4, 1917, Lotta former Socialist candidate for somewhat as they imagine Burke had handbills printed mayor, and charged them lawyers might feel who were similar to ones distributed in also with treason. called on to argue before the Cleveland. On June 1, 1917, courts of Massachusetts for a while eleven party members reversal of the Salem witch- were distributing handbills craft cases." Edward F. throughout Clifton Heights, a Alexander's opening remarks triad of U.S. Secret Service to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Agents, American Protective Court, 1923 League members and plain- clothes policemen arrested them, charged all eleven with treason and placed them in solitary confinement for three Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 15

Lotta Burke was transferred Feeling overwhelmed, to the Montgomery County- Alexander sought legal Jail where she encountered advice from the Socialist some abuse. Alexander's Party of America. assistant wrote to him, imploring Alexander to doing something: "Unless she is furnished the security of female companionship with the consequent peace of mind, she is going to die or go insane." i6 Queen City Heritage

Bolin's predisposition Judge Howard C. Hollister, Constitution is being virtually The American Civil Liberties towards linking the thirteen whose son served with the suspended during the time Union (ACLU) became Socialists with Communism U.S. Food Administration in when Americais facing this involved in the case from the is quite apparent in his letter Lithuania and Poland, tremendous crisis." outset and offered support to Alexander regarding the presided at the District Court Prosecuting Attorney Stuart throughout the seven year appeal process. hearing. It was a dreary R. Bolin summarizing the legal ordeal. episode of repression, witch- government's case. hunting, character denigra- tion and intolerance.

"Our courts are not permit- ting persons who have taken a stand against the Government in this war to seek shelter behind the Constitution. The Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 17

Alexander's closing argu- Encouraged by Denison's dis- Act was not in effect when ments summarized the real sent and determined to see the Socialists were arrested, issue of the District Court justice prevail, Alexander (it became law on June 15, trial: filed for a review with the 1917) no law prohibited them "The first thing in this case U.S. Supreme Court. from expressing their that you will note is that it is opinion. a case of political conspiracy, In his dissent, Appellate the sort of case that flouishes Judge Arthur C. Denison in every country where tyran- argued that the defendants ny and despotism rule. These believed both that the men are not here for larceny Selective Service Act was or murder or any other unconstitutional and that charge involving self-seeking. their rights of free speech They are here for their politi- permitted them to voice their cal views and activities." dissent. Denison believed their ideas were "unsound," but because the Espionage i8 Queen City Heritage al, reform-minded church for fifty-four years. Bigelow Herbert S. Bigelow left matters of theology and philosophy to individual members, all that he desired was a "brotherhood of Herbert S. Bigelow was born in 1870 on man in a world of social justice." a small farm near Elkhart, Indiana. He attended Soon Bigelow's interests reached beyond Oberlin Preparatory School and, in 1894, graduated the pulpit to politics and reform: 1902 — unsuccess- from Western Reserve University. He moved to ful candidate as Ohio's Secretary of State; 1912 — Cincinnati to attend Lane Theological Seminary. president of the Ohio Constitutional convention and After he was ordained in 1896, Bigelow was appoint- representative to the Ohio House; 1935 — Cincinnati ed pastor of the Vine Street Congregational Church. City Councilman; 1936 — representative to the U.S. His experience working in the settlement houses in Congress. the basin area of Cincinnati convinced him, however, Whether in or out of office Bigelow con- that a "less traditional answer" was needed to fight tinued to crusade for the causes in which he believed: poverty, crime and social injustice. initiative and referendum, city charter reform, pro- By 1900, after conservative church portional representation (PR), old age pension law for members had tried unsuccessfully to remove him, Ohio, and the municipal ownership of utilities (tele- Bigelow formed his own church, "The People's phone, gas and electric). Church." He remained minister of this non-tradition-

Bigelow described his abduc- And then at the end, when tion to parishioners at they poured the crude oil Cincinnati's People's Church: upon my head I waited for them to light the match. I / realized that some strange expected that a death by fate awaited me. But there burning was awaiting me, was not a word spoken, and and I died that death. swiftly we sped away, I riding So I have the sacred privilege in total darkness, my mind now, as I have never had speculating on the goal that before, of standing in the was intended for me. And company of this brave man, when I heard the machine Paul, and saying rattle over the planks of the that I too have fought with bridge, then I thought that I the beasts. had the explanation, that was why my feet were tied and I have often wondered how a my hands and my body man would feel face to face encased in a bag, that they with a death like that. Now I intended to throw me in the know. There was no fear to river. And so I faced that die and most of all there was death. no dread at what might follow death. And when we crossed the bridge and nothing hap- pened I knew that it was some other fate that awaited me. When in that lonely spot they led me up the hill and I saw them bringing the ropes A life-long anti-militarist, Bigelow's outspokenness so out, I said, 'They are going to Bigelow opposed America's enraged Cincinnati's "patriot- hang me,' and I died that entry into the war until the ic" groups that on the death. last moment. Even though he evening of October 27, 1917, supported Wilson's war dec- as he arrived to address a laration, he opposed sending Socialist Party meeting in conscripts overseas. His dis- Newport, Kentucky, he was like of the selective service kidnapped, driven to a desert- was so strong that he tried to ed field and horsewhipped — organize, along with other "In the name of the women Midwestern Socialists, an and children of Belgium." army consisting of volunteers instead of draftees. His unique position baffled friends and foes alike. Many regarded him as a malcon- tent and a radical. Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 19

The federal investigation The ACLU and its founder, Attorney Edward F. went nowhere. The fact that Roger Baldwin, took a per- Alexander, a close friend and a few weeks before the kid- sonal interest in the Bigelow member of the People's napping federal agents case. Baldwin became so Church, enlisted the support searched and seized property concerned about the plight of of Bigelow's personal friend, from Bigelow's office may free speech in America that Newton D. Baker, Secretary have contributed to the gov- he held a national protest of War in the Wilson ernment's failure to investi- meeting in New York City to Administration. After two gate the kidnapping and publicize Bigelow's kidnap- months it became obvious whipping incident seriously. ping and whipping. that because Ohio and Kentucky officials either could not or would not act, a federal investigation offered the only hope. 20 Queen City Heritage

Throughout America people were outraged at Herbert Bigelow's kidnapping and, whether or not they shared his political philosophy, they offered their moral and finan- cial support. Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 21

Alexander received numerous letters from witnesses who provided information about Bigelow's kidnapping. Some citizens who offered to help Alexander, like Mrs. Grace Mader Mack of Newport, Kentucky, were threatened. 22 Queen City Heritage

ITi illlSB5'

Always the student of archi- and boarded up, but the \ :::issi^ tecture, Cellarius described cathedral was not greatly his visit to Paris a few days spoiled and the flags were after the Armistice: wonderful. I wish I had the money spent for silk this [From] there we went into week! Notre Dame. It was being decorated for the great cele- bration tomorrow and the interior was just a sea of flags. The transept windows had been removed and the sculpture of the portals was still covered with sandbags

Charles F. Cellarius was an included designing buildings member and fellow of the architectural draftsman from at Berea College, Ohio American Institute of Norwood, Ohio. Drafted in University, Ohio State Architects, he was president 1918, he was assigned to a University and more than of the Cincinnati and Ohio machine gun battalion. Later fifty structures on the campus Architects Associations. He he directed the hospital of Miami University, Oxford, died in 1973. department of the Army Ohio. Educational Corp. In 1956, Cellarius formed a After returning to partnership with Herbert F. Cincinnati, he founded an Hilmer. One of the firm's architectural firm and more prominent designs became supervising architect included the Union Central for designing the community Life Insurance Company of Mariemont. Known for headquarters building in colonial architecture, Forest Park, Ohio. In addition Cellarius' other successes to being a national board Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 23

,**

"Am leaving today at 12:noon for a French regiment to study trench raiding. I know odds are against me for returning, but an order cannot be changed by me. I must go with a clear con- scious." July 10, 1918

"Some way or another these trenches get on my nerves. Had a hot argument with a French lieutenant today who has been somewhat Americanized by these white officers we have. He seems to think he is a Lord or something. Still, we poor colored soldiers fight for democracy and are constantly being knocked and driven by our own white officers. Some class, eh?" September 4, 1918. Ralph Taylor

African-Americans faced plus officers from white Although General Pershing fighting a war, including new great challenges during National Guard units held the insisted that the American tactics, different equipment World War I. Government staff jobs. Expeditionary Force (AEF) and "foreign" food, the unit decision makers were con- would not be integrated into performed exceedingly well. vinced that blacks would "foreign armies," this restric- In addition to numerous cita- never make good soldiers, tion did not apply to black tions for bravery, the unit and assigned a majority of soldiers. Shortly after arrival received the Croix de Guerre them to labor units. Despite in France, the 93rd Division, with Palm. such policies, two all-black, which included four black combat divisions were infantry regiments (369th, formed. Ralph Taylor's unit, 370th, 371st and the 372nd) the 93rd Division, was were scattered throughout formed from several National various French army units. Guard units. Black officers led While the black soldiers had the rifle companies while sur- to adapt to the French way of Queen City Heritage

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Captain James G. Strobribge (standing, far left) in front of the destroyed cathedral at Reims, France, spring, 1919. Strobridge's friend and fellow Cincinnatian, Winifred Colvin, a YWCA secretary serving in France, described her feelings after seeing the devastation:

The contrast between pros- perous Germany and ruined France was sickening, and Reims would break your heart. .. the cathedral is per- fectly magnificent even now—and dominates everything for miles around. I wonder if, perhaps, it has a soul that nothing can destroy.

James Strobridge was born he arrived in Brest, France, Danzig, Poland. A month After the war, Strobridge in Cincinnati in 1894. At age shortly before the Armistice. later Strobridge returned to returned to the family busi- ten, the family moved to When the war ended, Cincinnati and joined the ness and assumed the duties Texas and Mexico so James' Strobridge decided to family lithography business of president and chairman of father could attend Dr. remain in Europe and joined as a salesman. In 1932, he the board. In 1960, the com- Kellogg's sanitorium and the Polish Typhus Relief transferred to New York and pany was acquired by the recuperate from tuberculosis. Expedition as supply officer. became vice president of the H.S. Crocker Company of San The family returned to The expedition's chief mis- Strobridge Lithography sales Francisco. Strobridge retired Cincinnati when James sion was to transport delous- office. During World War II, in 1962, spending his remain- began high school. ing equipment to Poland and he returned to active service ing years as an active mem- Strobridge was in his sec- instruct civilians on its use. and was in charge of print- ber of the New York ond year at MIT when When the expedition coming operations at the U.S. Historical Society and the America entered the war. He pleted its work in November Army Map Service in Museum of New York. He volunteered for service and 1919, Strobridge assisted a Washington, DC. died in 1985. was commissioned a field Polish civilian group pur- artillery lieutenant. After chase U.S. Army hospital months of training in the U.S. equipment and ship them to Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 25

In a June 17, 1918, letter to Mrs Lewis Earle Lee June 17 2 his wife, Caroline, Reverend Lee described an amusing with their doll buttons. I can handle them without profanity. encounter with a little French While I was getting ready to write this the dearest little French boy and life in the small boy came in to see anjf Americain. I must try to get his picture, he village. lives just across the street. He is three and real chubby abd has curly hair - les cheveux frisks - you understand. Well, he talks such cute French. I would ask him things over and over again to hear t&e little fellow. He would shake hands with me on entering and on leaving and he left three different times. His name is Pierse, and he was very much interested in seeing me prepare mjt cafe and malted milk together in the Mg cup (l still have though it is mended with glue). He poured in a oeu d'leau chaud, and he chattered away and made me wonder why I cannot learn the darned language if this little kid can. And when I showed him the large pictures of the children he kept exclaiming tilings that I got the drift of but xrannot repro- duce ~ he pointed, to Isabella's hat in the May-14th.- snap-shot and laughed so jolly as he said - elle a un beau chapeau, and he pointed his chubby little finger to Eleanor (and Mrae Palicot knows the children by name novf and told him that watt Eleanor) and commented on different things and one I caught was - elle a une petite main. He wasn't so much interested in Isabella's silhouette, it was too noir for him. When he was tempted to touch my typewriter the Mine or Mile would say ne touches pas and that settled him, I haven't wri ten you since No.37 on the 14th. and Mo. 36 on the 11th. On the 11th. I also sent separate letters to the girlies. On the 14th. I cabled you as follows: Mrs. Lewis Lee, Trimble Avenue, Cincinnati. Lots of love to you and the girls. Am very well and in same place. Lewis Lee. She wouldn't let me send it Lewis this time for some reason but made me sign Lewis Lee. It went French cable again and I hope I am lucky in reaching you in 24 hrs or even 48 hrs again. You deserve everything I can possibly do for you. You are the dandiest girl, and I love you more than all the world besides, and I am stsfeing to you tight every one of these days. I love you a million times more than I ever did before. There is a pretty scene just across the street from iny open window: an American nurse was making love to a little waddling child, not so olean either, and she said,un petite, and lifted it up'and it wiggled like a fish, so she p t it d.ovm and said pas bon Americain. And there goes an American soldier. I think he must be the Major's orderly who lives just across the street, he is going there. And here come two French soldiers. I can look right up one street and see people earning into my street. One is emptying out the water from his canteen as he walks along. He will get fresh somewhere. They have such big bundles swung from their shoulders I guess they are ordered to the front. The French canteen is bigger than ours because I believe it has two com- partments, one for water and one for any other drink such as wine. -This common wine is pas bon. It tastes like vinegar. I don't see anything tempting to that. And now that same little dirty petite has grasped a big granite^ware pitcher and is strolling this way towards the water plug. The pitcher is a high one and more than half the heig^th of the child, and, there, it has safely gotten down one step to the hydrant. But now all will be safe because one of these little ten year old mothers has taken the child, in charge. We have a water system here but it does not deliver the water into the homes but to hydrants in the streets, to Y/hieh the dames cose. Well, now let's see, I was going to tell

By the time Reverend Lewis lowed by ten years as pastor carriage room in a big barn selected as the executive sec- Earle Lee volunteered for ser- of the North Presbyterian with the capacity to hold retary for the Council of vice in France as a YMCA Church in Northside. After a three hundred men. Another Religious Education. He was minister, he was a well- brief stay in Ironton, Lee hut was in a 25' x 60' tent. instrumental in initiating a known religious leader, exec- returned to Cincinnati as pas- There were writing tables and system of weekday religious utive secretary of the tor of the Evanston a canteen where, as Lee instruction for grade school Hamilton County Council of Presbyterian and, except for recorded in his journal, "the children which eventually Religious Education, and pas- his leave of absence for war soldiers here are resting for a was adopted nationally. tor of the Evanston work in 1918, he remained short time, following some Popular with young people of Presbyterian Church. there until 1922. very trying and important all denominations, he Born in 1870 in Brooklyn, In addition to writing to work. In one ... a number of advised church clergy on the New York, Lee came to his wife and young daugh- officers and men gathered to promotion of Sunday schools Cincinnati to attend Lane ters, Reverend Lee kept a sing and talk about the prayer and leadership training for Seminary where he was journal detailing his experi- — life." church school teachers. Lee ordained in 1897. From 1896- ences as minister and spiritu- Upon returning to died suddenly in 1937. 1899, he was assistant pastor al counselor in the "Y" huts Cincinnati, Lee served as field of the Second Presbyterian located throughout France. agent for the College of Church in Cincinnati, fol- One "Y" hut was a converted Wooster and, in 1923, was 26 Queen City Heritage

Winifred Colvin was born in Europe until after the Clifton and later at Miss Colvin's "Y" hut at Army Franklin, Ohio, in 1887. She Armistice, work still needed Kendrik's Collegiate School Base Hospital #85, near attended public schools and to be done. Her chief duty for Girls. During the Great Angers, France, 1919. graduated in 1909 from was to administer comfort to Depression, Winifred was Miami University, Oxford, both the soldiers and nurses forced to accept government Ohio. She worked part time stationed at Army Base assistance through the WPA. as an assistant English Hospital #85 in Angers, Throughout her life she tried teacher and later was presi- France. in vain to become a writer. A dent of the local YWCA. Colvin found France few of her articles on After graduation, Colvin appealing and, after complet- Belgium were published but taught English and history in ing her "Y" obligations, she she never found great literary the College Hill School sys- traveled throughout Europe success. She died in 1965 and tem. Once America became and did not arrive in the U.S. is buried in an unmarked embroiled in the war, until 1922. After returning to grave in Spring Grove Winifred volunteered for ser- Cincinnati, she continued Cemetery. vice as a "Y" secretary. teaching high school history Although she did not arrive in at Hughes High School in Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 27

The "Y" hut was invented to give soldiers and nurses a meeting place when off duty. The huts were constructed by the Red Cross and staffed by the "Red Triangle," workers of the YMCA and YWCA. Known as "secretaries," they could be found in French villages where a thousand soldiers were billeted, behind the front line trenches but within range of big guns, or on army base hospitals to serve the soldiers and nurses. The job of the "secretaries" demanded the ability to remain cheerful, bring inspiration, and maintain the morale of the men, many of whom were war weary, homesick and frightened. Their job was not without danger. Six male and two female "secretaries" were killed in action, 123 men and two women secretaries were wounded or gassed, and 319 secretaries received decorations and citations. Over 13,000 "secretaries" served with the AEF during the war and the demobiliza- tion period. The "Y" huts served as clubs, churches, schools, libraries, post offices, information centers and canteens. They provided athletic equipment, game rooms, writing tables, music, motion pictures, as well as office and theatrical supplies. The huts were a place where the soldiers and nurses could come to find physical and spiritual Such Homes comforts, hot drinks, social .„,,,. »...,,,,.,»„- atmosphere and relaxation.

On April 7, 1919, Winifred one of the great marvels of wrote a friend in Cincinnati the war." Winifred Colvin, describing the schedule of a February 6, 1919 typical day as a "Y" hut worker.

"We have many wounded here in hospital, including two German soldiers . .. The nurses have been great — even to the spending of all they earn on artificial limbs for the poor boys who can't afford them. . .. The stories I hear every day just break my heart. How people suffer and endure and still go on living normally and even happily is 2 8 Queen City Heritage

VIVE LA FRANCE

39 RUE TRAVERSE, BREST, FRANCE

In 1919, Glendale native, Elsa Bateman's "tour" of the bat- Bateman's guide book to the Bateman, worked as a "Y" tlefields included the ceme- city of Brest, France, included secretary at the Red Triangle tery in Lambezellec, France, a code of regulations for Canteen in Brest, France. where 1,600 American sol- YMCA workers. During her six months over- diers were buried. "Yesterday seas, she filled an album with morning a crowd of Y work- her photographs of the can- ers, Red Cross workers and teens, villages and battle- nurses . . . placed a flag and a fields of France. bunch of flowers on every grave," Bateman wrote. "I never saw a cemetery in more perfect order." Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 29 • I

...% '. .. mm It

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In Bateman's "Red Triangle" find anyplace to go, and Bateman's "Red Triangle" the men could sit around they'd say, 'Where is that Canteen in Brest, France, tables and order hot choco- damn Y anyway.'" along with her co-workers. late, tea or coffee, sandwich- es and snacks. On March 17, 1919, Bateman wrote home stating that the "Y" girls had "used up over two thousand doughnuts in a day.. . . We have been told so many times by the boys we do not realize how much good we are doing by giving them places like that to go to.... The boys would come into a new town and not be able to Queen City Heritage

Robert S. Marx

Robert S. Marx was well-known to Cincinnatians as a judge and internationally prominent lawyer, a decorated war hero and founder of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Born in Cincinnati on January 28, 1889, Marx grew up in sub- urban Avondale and attended Avondale Public School and Walnut Hills High School. After earning his law degree in 1909 from the University of Cincinnati Law School, Marx joined the firm of Paxton, Warrington and Seasongood. Once America became embroiled in the war, Marx spent a majority of his time in France as the Operations Officer with the 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division—"the fighting cowboys of Oklahoma and Texas." He saw action seven times and served on the front lines for seventy-five continu- ous days. A day before the Armistice, Marx went for- ward to find an infantry company that had lost con- tact with headquarters. Advancing under heavy fire, he discovered a disorganized and decimated company. Marx reorganized it and, although wounded in the head and chest by an exploding shell, he led the company to the furthest point of the Allied advance of the war. His injuries were so severe that the U.S. War Department advised his mother that he had been killed in action. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Verdun Medal and the Purple Heart. served as the first commander of the Disabled While recovering from his wounds Marx American Veterans (DAV) organization. became concerned about the needs of disabled veter- After returning to Cincinnati in 1919, ans. Thousands had returned from the war with dis- he was elected judge of the Ohio Superior Court, the abling injuries, gas-seared lungs and debilitating ill- only Democrat elected that year. Six years later he nesses. Medical facilities and assistance were inade- lost the judgeship through court consolidation. In the quate. Marx responded by galvanizing support among late 1920s, he became a partner in the firm of veterans nationwide, and, in 1921-1922, founded and Nichols, Wood, Marx and Ginter, and specialized in

"Thirty-two thousand of servicemen still need hospi- these men and women are talization; thousands are today, four years after the being inadequately trained conclusion of the war, still in and thousands who have the various hospitals of the completed their training are land. One hundred and nine without employment." thousand soldiers and sailors were so badly injured that Judge Robert Marx's address they can not follow their at Temple Emanu-EI in San vocation in life and are today Francisco, California, July 7, being trained by the 1922 Government of the United States for a new vocation in order that they may again become self-supporting and independent citizens. Thousands of disabled ex- Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 31 corporate law. Some of his clients included: The Kroger Company, Schenley Distillers, The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, The F.W. SUPREME COURT OF OHIO. Woolworth Company and J.C. Penney. Marx died suddenly on September 8, CLERKS OFFICE. 1960, at age seventy-one. His estate funded the University of Cincinnati Law School Library and Columbus, O. made a major donation to the Playhouse in the Park. At the examination held Both buildings bear his name. His funeral took place at Rockdale 190.(1, your grade van Temple in Cincinnati. He was buried with his moth- 9*4 A er, father and grandparents in United Jewish (? fl Cemetery in Walnut Hills.

1*0

As a supporter of prepared- Marx graduated in 1909 from ness, Marx spent July-August the University of Cincinnati 1916 as a naval volunteer Law School. The next year he aboard the USS Illinois. It took the bar examination and was an early effort by the achieved the highest grade in government to orient civil- the state, a 93.6. ians with officer potential to the military. Marx acted also as a special correspondent to the Cincinnati Times-Star while on the trip. Queen City Heritage

'W:Mi^A:Mi\JA

As a young attorney, Robert President Wilson in Marx had the only serious Cincinnati during the October romance of his life. He court- 26, 1916, Preparedness ed Helen Trounstine, a vivid, Parade. young lady his own age. However, their marriage Official badge worn by plans were interrupted in Robert S. Marx. As a promi- January 1917, by her tragic nent Democrat, Marx was death from polio. Trounstine part of the organizing and was a progressive reformer welcoming committee for dedicated to improving child President Wilson's "pre- welfare in Cincinnati. She paredness" visit to Cincinnati was also a founding member in October 1916. and civic director of the Woman's City Club. Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 3 3

Robert Marx was vacationing Marx traveled to Europe in During the American Legion's in Belgium when World War I 1914 on the English White official pilgrimage to France, broke out. Like many Star Line luxury liner R.M.S. Marx visited the graves of Americans, he was trapped in Arabic. On August 15, 1915, many Cincinnati comrades. Europe without a way back. the Arabic was torpedoed He witnessed and pho- without warning by a tographed stranded German U-boat, moving Americans and the Belgium America closer to war with mobilization. His photograph Germany. of Americans outside the American Express Office trying to find a way home was used in The Saturday Evening Post. 34 Queen City Heritage

After addressing an annual DAV meeting in 1960, Marx vacationed at his summer home in Charlevoix, Michigan, where he died suddenly on September 8. Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 3 5 International Cooperation Administration, an agency John B. Hollister which administered the country's non-military foreign aid. He returned to Cincinnati in 1957 and con- The son of a U.S. District Court judge, tinued practicing law until his death in 1979 at age John B. Hollister was born in Cincinnati in 1890. He eighty-eight. attended Cincinnati public schools and St. Paul's School, Concord, N.H. In 1911, he graduated from Yale and, after a year abroad in Munich, he entered Harvard Law School, graduating in 1915. He worked two years as a clerk with the law firm of Worthington, Strong and Stettinius. In 1917, he joined the army and served as a captain of artillery. After the Armistice he volunteered for additional duty where he was assigned to the American Relief Administration in the newly created nations of Poland and Lithuania. Hollister returned to Cincinnati in 1919 and rejoined his old firm. He remained there until 1924 when he formed a law partnership with John Stettinius and Charles and Robert Taft. In addition to his law practice, Hollister served nine years on the Cincinnati Board of Education and, in 1931, was elected to Congress from the First District. He remained in the U.S. House for six years, becoming the ranking Republican on the House Banking Committee. Although defeated for re-election in the Roosevelt landslide of 1936, Hollister remained active politically as a local Republican leader and important figure in both the senate and presidential campaigns of "Mr. Republican"—Robert A. Taft. Hollister's commitment to public service continued during and after World War II. In 1945, he led the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRA) mission to the Netherlands. From 1953-1955, he served as executive director of the second Hoover Commission and later as a special counselor to the Secretary of State. In 1955, President Eisenhower appointed Hollister as Director of the

"Another great danger is that of the aristocratic element to we are too liable to see the socialism that most of Europe side of the aristocratic or edu- will be saved from cated classes. It is natural Bolshevism. Luckily most of that the expectations of this the thinking people realize class should be those with that the day when the old whom we are thrown social- families ruled with a high ly, and that we hear their hand, is over. The voice of opinions on all sides, but we the collarless proletariat must must not lose sight of the fact be heard, and we must only that it was the development see that the pendulum of this class at the expense of doesn't swing too far. .. ." the peasants which brought on the French Revolution and John Hollister writing to his is responsible for the desper- father concerning events in ate plight of Russia today. It Poland and Lithuania, March is only by a great concession 30, 1919 Queen City Heritage

After the Armistice Captain Officers of Battery B, 46 Hollister was not in a hurry to Artillery, CAC outside the return home. Although he Hotel de France in Branne, requested to remain on active France, October 1918. duty with occupation forces, Captain Hollister is in the in January 1919, he received middle. orders to report to Herbert Hoover, U.S. Food Administration, Paris, France. Fall 1998 \iment in Prison Reform 37

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On March 12, 1919, Hollister's Besides investigating the boss received orders from food situation, Hollister Herbert Hoover requesting encountered numerous reports on numerous issues German and Bolshevik troops in Lithuania, from the food as well as the Spartakist situation to the status of German soldiers, the ultra German troops. Hollister was patriotic, paramilitary organi- dispatched the same day to zation. He missed seeing the small town of Kowno, Russian revolutionary, Leon Lithuania, to begin his inves- Trotsky by three weeks. The tigation. biggest impression on Hollister came from government leaders of the new nation. As one leader explained to him, "Your very presence here puts another nail in Germany's coffin." Queen City Heritage powerful and influential position. Albert Halstead Shortly after the peace was signed in 1920, Halstead was appointed consul-general in It would be expected that Albert Montreal, Canada, where he remained until 1928. Halstead, son of Cincinnati newspaper editor, Murat His last assignment returned him to England where Halstead, be caught in the whirlwind of historical he served as consul-general until 1932 when he events. While Murat reported on the important retired. Halstead spent his last years writing and events of his day, Albert experienced them. Born in speaking about his experiences abroad. He died in Cincinnati in 1867, Albert attended public schools New York City in May 1949. and completed his education at Princeton University, graduating in 1889. He tried studying law for a year •HB but quickly found it boring. He decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, mixing newspaper work with Republican state politics. In addition to working as the Washington correspondent for his father's paper, The Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, young Albert served as aide de camp for Governor William McKinley. After McKinley became president in 1897, Halstead became editor of the Springfield Union. A few years later, he worked as the Washington correspondent for the Brooklyn Standard Union and the Philadelphia Evening Telegraph. In 1906, Halstead entered the U.S. Consular Service and was posted to Birmingham, England, where he remained until 1915. His next assignment was as consul-general in Vienna, Austria. It proved to be both an interesting and a trying time for Halstead. Although his country was not at war, Europe was bleeding itself to death and Halstead found it challenging to "be neutral in thought as well as deed." Not only did he look after German, Austrian and Turkish interests, he also distributed thousands of English pounds to Brits needing relief in Austria. Once America entered the fray, Halstead left Vienna and was posted to Stockholm, Sweden, where he remained until after the war. He returned to Vienna as the Commissioner of the U.S. Mission, a

"Though the cost to us has and the poor. Further, I look thrift people, we have learned not been great the results are for a higher standard of pub- something of thrift." of enormous benefit to the lic service. . . . The people will future of our country. .. . We be less willing to permit the Albert Halstead, reflecting on have a greater realization of blatant self-seeker who can the war's end, November 27, what democracy is and the talk well and promise much 1918 tendency to form classes in while his performances are our population is checked— negligible to represent their temporarily at least.. . . Still I interests. Each individual hope for greater social jus- who had to make a sacrifice tice, a wider understanding of for his country will have a the community of interest of greater sense of his responsi- all, a better knowledge of bility to it. But above all, we each other, and greater sym- have learned the beauties of pathy between the better off self-sacrifice, while a spend Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 39

In May 1919, Halstead Stockholm, Sweden, ca. 1910 As head of the American Vienna, Austria, ca. 1910 received orders to leave Mission in Vienna, Halstead Stockholm and proceed via had to oversee and coordi- Paris, to become the commis- nate the various U.S. State sioner of the U.S. Mission in Department's diplomatic Vienna, replacing Archibald initiatives throughout the C. Coolidge who was former Austro-Hungarian appointed a delegate to the Empire. Paris Peace Conference. A majority of Halstead's work in Stockholm, Sweden, con- America cerned reviewing visas. On really counts in the July 12,1918, Halstead war and some of them are of detailed his activities in a let- able to see the handwriting the Russian col- ter to his family: on the wall. I have had an lapse, has left these men high interesting experience with and dry. Five of them wanted "Stockholm is a place where some men from to go to America. They had one meets all nationalities. In Transylvania, who are been in Russia when the a restaurant the man at your Hungarians legally, but Bolsheviks developed and next table is as like[ly] as not Roumanians at heart. They there is really nothing for a Bosche [slang for German] were captured by the them to do in the U.S., so I or an Austrian. The Bosches Russians and then entered have had to refuse them per- are more modest than in the Roumanian army. The mission." March when their offensive peace Roumania made with began. They are learning that the Central Powers, because Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 41

Colonel Sidney D. Waldon

In 1917, America realized that it would have to create a professional military air service and aviation industry from scratch. To accomplish this task, hundreds of businessmen were brought to Washington, given military commissions and put into uniform. One of the most influential "businessmen turned soldier" was Sidney D. Waldon. As a member of the Air Production Control Board, Waldon played a major role in selecting, designing and producing all aircraft and equipment used by the AEF. Waldon, an automotive industry pioneer and an early aviation enthusiast, served as Vice President and Sales Manager of the Packard Motor Car Co. In 1916, the infant Army Air Service turned to Waldon, who by then was known as an expert on transportation. In the early months of the war and as a member of the Air Production Control Board, Colonel Waldon attempted to establish national aviation poli- cy, select allied aircraft for production in the U.S. and establish an aviation industry where none existed. Results were mixed. After months of wrestling with production challenges, General Pershing requested Colonel Waldon take over the business side of establishing bases, locating flying fields and directing the handling of all Army Air Service equipment. Waldon's most dramatic accomplish- ment in France was establishing the American aircraft assembly and repair base at Romorantin, France. By war's end, the base was nearing completion and had room for 20,000 men. This became the home of the Motor Mechanic Regiments staffed by craftsmen from U.S. plants.

Sidney D. Waldon was born in London in 1873. He came to the United States when he was twenty. He married Helen Rentschler, sister of Frederick B. and Gordon S. Rentschler of Hamilton, Ohio. 42 Queen City Heritage On June 8, 1917, the Air Production The Air Production Control Board ini- Control Board announced plans for the creation of a tially depended on automobile engineers for the solu- fleet of 25,000 airplanes. The Board believed that avi- tion of aviation problems. But the analogy between ation would be so decisive in winning the war, the the two pursuits virtually begins and ends with the U.S. Army would not have to fight in Europe. fact that each used a gas-explosive motor. Congress acted quickly and on July 24, 1917, appro- priated $640,000,000 to establish the aircraft pro- On August 26,1918, Colonel Sidney gram. Although an army of 3.5 million had been Waldon responded: raised by mid-1918, the aircraft situation was far less It has at last become my turn to be successful. By July 1, 1918: cross-examined by Judge Hughes. I have also just had an opportunity to see some of the testimony • Only 67 observations planes were deliv- given in secret session before the sub-committee of ered to the front. the Committee on Military Affairs of the Senate on • Not a single American made fighter Aircraft Production. served in the front. I realize how difficult it is for anyone • Not a single American made heavy who has not lived through the early days of the up- bomber served in the front. building of the Air Service to have any idea of the • The U.S. used every plane that could be conditions that existed then, or in the light of the secured from the French, British and present, to have any sympathy with our puny efforts Italians. to bring order out of chaos and to create an organization and an industry where none existed. . . . The Senate Committee on Military . . . there was on order on that date (May Affairs blamed the disappointing results on the 12, 1917) date orders for 334 airplanes outstanding following: divided among 16 airplane manufacturers representing 10 distinct types and 32 different designs . . . most of • The airplane program was placed largely which never were delivered as the manufacturers gen- in the control of automobile and other erally requested their release from their contracts. . . . manufacturers who were ignorant of No airplane made in America up to this aeronautical problems. time had ever mounted a machine gun. . . . • These manufacturers had the impossible When I first came to Washington in task of creating a motor which could be December, 1916 the Army had delivered to it during adapted to all classes of planes. the nine years of aviation 118 airplanes. These had • The U.S. failed at the beginning of the been supplied by nine different companies . . . This in war to adopt the common sense course itself is a very small encouragement from the country of reproducing the most successful types that developed aviation. . . . S.D. Waldon of European planes without any changes. Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 43

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The Air Production Control Women played a key role in Board (APCB) was responsi- placing the linen fabric cov- ble for inspecting aircraft fac- ering on the airplanes. The tories. At the Curtiss fabric was tediously sewn on Elmwood plant, The APCB each diagonal seam. The Air inspector reported: "The bulk Production Control Board of the men on airplane con- inspector at the Curtiss struction have the impression Elmwood plant reported that that they are not expected to men did not know how to work.. .. 75% wear white deal with women in the linen collars and business workplace. "Throughout the suits and apparently [are] not factory much time is lost in aware of the fact that any- men talking to girls. If girls thing is dependent on their are to be used they should efforts." be used exclusively in various departments and kept out of others." Queen City Heritage

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Colored tracing of proposed Letter keyed photograph Located 100 miles south of crating for the Caproni detailing a standardized Paris and 50 miles east of bomber produced by the uncrating procedure for Tours, the Romorantin Air Standard Co. of Elizabeth, DeHaviland 4 aircraft (DH-4). Production Center covered an New Jersey. The tracing was The photographic manual area of four and one-half done by Major A. W. Harris of was developed by Dayton square miles. When complet- the Air Production Control Wright Airplane Co. engi- ed the center was expected to Board. Note the multiple neers for use at the AEF's accommodate a staff of parts which were included to Romorantin, France, assem- 20,000. By the cessation of provide spares. bly facility. hostilities it was 85 percent complete and was used to assemble and sometimes rebuild aircraft arriving from the U.S. Winter 1998 Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War 45

Side elevation of England's two-seater Bristol Fighter, drawn by Major A. W. Harris of the Air Production Control Board. This late design solved the problem of com- munications between pilot and gunner by placing them back-to-back in what was virtually one cockpit. 46 Queen City Heritage

Volunteers and staff members who researched and produced the exhibit included: Barbara Smith, Manuscript/Business Archives Volunteer; Jan Francis, Audio Visual Volunteer; Max Frankel, Photograph Department Volunteer; Peter J. Bahra, Curator of Prints &) Photographs-, David Conzett, Museum Curator; Beth Gerber &) Scott Gampfer, Conservation Department; Cynthia Keller, Audio Visual Curator.

i. Manuscripts used in the research for Over There, Over Here: Cincinnatians and the Great War include: MSS 779 and MSS 507, John Baker Hollister; MSS qA375RM/ Ed F. Alexander Papers,- MSS 6592, Herbert Seely Bigelow Papers; MSS qHi96a, Albert Halstead Papers; MSS 903, Robert S. Marx Papers; MSS 996, Waldon-Rentschler Papers; MSS qB3284, Elsa F. Bateman Collection; MSS qC727, Winifred Marie Colvin; MSS Micro #65, Ralph Taylor; MSS qL478, Lewis Earle Lee, World War I; MSS 898, Strobridge Family Papers; MSS qC393W RMV, War Diary of Charles F. Cellarius, Vols. 1 & 2; MSS VF 252, George C. Crout, "A Cincinnatian in World War I: Letters from France" (Newman Ebersole);MSS VF 2561, Leo A. Stump; Newly acquired collection, Lieutenant John P. Childe Papers. All are in the Manuscript Collection of the Cincinnati Historical Society Library.

After the Armistice, the U.S. "I hope you have taken in the Committee on Public show at the Music Hall. It Information (CPI) sponsored would give you at least a feint a traveling War Exposition idea of the many inventions showcasing elements of the that played a wonderful part war. Some items included the along with the doughboys to armaments used by both bring the war to an end" sides, a reproduction of "No Man's Land," combat film Private Leo A. Stump, footage, prominent speakers 28th Infantry, AEF, urging his and music performed by mili- parents to attend the War tary bands. Exposition.