Historical Books of Interest - War Activties-Chapter2

THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Nearly a century and a half ago when the rights of our ancestors were threatened by an oppressive Government, the freemen of Topsfield gathered in town-meeting on October 11, 1774., chose Samuel Smith as their delegate to the Provincial Congress and instructed him as follows:
That you use your endeavors that all our Constitutional and Charter Rights and Previledges be kept good and invoilable to the Latest Posterity, and that you do everything to the utmost of your power to prevent any of the late oppressive acts of Parliament being Executed.

Three generations later when slavery and rebellion threatened the very foundations of our country, the citizens of Topsfield met in town-meeting on May 7, 1861, and adopted the following preamble and resolution presented by Charles H. Holmes:

Considering the present condition of our Country, not as waging war against the south, nor a party device, but an essay of the people to sustain their own rights, preserve their own institutions, give efficiency to their own laws, invigorate their execution and perpetuate the inheritance of our fathers unimpaired.
Resolved, that the loyal peoples of the United States, inhabitants of Topsfield, in town-meeting assembled, constitute ourselves a national guard for the preservation of our national integrity.

And again in our day when an autocratic European Government sought to conquer or destroy the civilized would, the citizens of Topsfield, stirred by the dramatic events then taking place, adopted the following resolutions presented by James Duncan Phillips, March 5, 1917, at the annual townmeeting:

     As the descendants and successors of the men of one of the group of little communities surrounding Salem Bay, which, during the Revolutionary War and the early days of the Republic, sent out innumberable armed ships to defend American rights on the high seas, is is hereby
     Resolved, That we, the citizens of Topsfield, endorse the action of the President of the United States in dismissing the German ambassador.
     Resolved, That we urge the immediate calling of an extra session of Congress and the use of the full power of the nation in defence of American rights, American lives and American honor on the high seas.
     Resolved, That we pledge our loyalty and our support to the President for this purpose.
     Voted, that these resolutions be adopted and that the moderator now appoint a committee of three to transmit them with an appropriate letter to the President, the two senators from Massachusetts, the congressman of this district and to the senator and representatives of this district in the Massachusetts Legislature.

In commenting on the action of the towns of Massachusetts at the townmeetings, the Boston Transcript said:

Several of the towns adopted resolutions endorsing the action of President Wilson in standing up for American rights against Germany's aggression. Most of them followed the Boston Chamber of Commerce's form of a resolve, but some produced original forms for the President's eye. Among the towns which stood by the head of the nation were Concord, Marshfield, Topsfield, and Wenham. Topsfield's resolution was perhaps the most interesting.

On the editorial page the same day, there was an article particularly commenting on the stand which the town had taken and highly commending its attitude. This article said in part as follows:

When Boston was a town it used to pass resolutions in town meeting on national subjects, particularly in great emergencies, which were heard and regarded in the councils of the nation. As a city it is generally silent in such great crises just as, unfortunately, it is at this moment. But there are still patriotic towns in Massachusetts of their citizens. A considerable number of towns, at their meeting yesterday, adopted stirring resolutions of support and stimulus to the President in his attempt to uphold the nation's rights. Among those towns which have passed such resolutions, as already reported, are Concord -- Concord, the "star that never sets" -- Marshfield, he home of Webster, Wenham and Topsfield. The Topsfield resolutions are particularly spirited. They are in words which deserve to be listened to.

In accordance with these resolutions, a committee was appointed to send copies with an appropriate letter to the persons enumerated, all of whom duly acknowledged them in the following appropriate letters which have been placed on file in the office of the Town Clerk:

THE WHITE HOUSE

Washington
March 8, 1917
MY DEAR SIR:
The President has asked me to thank you for your letter of March 6th, with its enclosure, and to assure you and all concerned that he deeply appreciates this expression of confidence and support.
Sincerely yours
H. TUMULTY
Secretary to the President

UNITED STATES SENATE
COMMITTE ON PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS

March 8, 1917
MY DEAR MR. PHILLIPS:
I was very much gratified to receive the resolutions adopted by the Topsfield Town Meeting and I only regret that I cannot, under existing rulings, present them to the Senate. They are such resolutions as I should expect to receive from an old Massachusetts town and I need hardly say that I am doing all in my power to give the President the powers which he thinks necessary to protect the lives and the rights of American citizens.
Very truly yours,
H.C. LODGE

(If we are later allowed to present petitions and memorials you may be sure that I shall lay the resolutions before the Senate at the first opportunity.)

UNITED STATES SENATE

Washington, D.C.
March 10, 1917
MY DEAR SIR:
I am very glad to have your letter of March sixth transmitting resolutions adopted at a mass meeting of the citizens of Topsfield endorsing the President's action in severing diplomatic relations with the Imperial German Government and pledging their loyal support in case of need. I shall take pleasure in calling these resolutions to the attention of the Senate.
Very truly yours
JOHN W. WEEKS

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COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Washington, D.C.
March 9, 1917
MY DEAR SIR:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of March 6, 1917, enclosing a copy of a resolution adopted at the annual town meeting of the Town of Topsfield on March 5, 1917.
The action of the citizens of Topsfield is to be commended, and I shall have pleasure in presenting the resolution to the House of Representatives when the next session of Congress in convened.

Very truly yours
A. P. GARDNER

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
SENATE CHAMBER

Boston, March 27, '17
MY DEAR SIR:

I trust you will pardon the delay in answering your letter of Mar. 6th enclosing resolutions adopted at your town meeting March 5th. I want to assure you I am fully in accord with the resolutions and have by voice and vote sustained action of this kind when presented. We are as American citizens irrespective of party ties supporting our President and upholding him in every act and deed.
I thank you sincerely for the opportunity of presenting amy attitude in this our Nation's crisis. I have been travelling with my Committee or should have answered before.
Sincerely
CHAS. D. BROWN

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Boston, March 30th, 1917
DEAR SIR:
Replying to your favor of March 6th containing Resolutions as adopted at your Town Meeting of March 5th, would say that I heartily endorse the same.
Will you kindly excuse my late reply.
Very truly yours
GEORGE D. MORSE
Rep. 10th Essex Dist.

Encouraged by the cordial reception of these resolutions, the following call was sent out March 24, 1917, signed by most of the prominent citizens of the town:

In as much as the Massachusetts Committee of Public Safety has indicated that it is desirable for every city and town in the Commonwealth to organize a local Committee of Public Safety, we, the undersigned, invite the men and women, boys and girls, of Topsfield who love their Country to meet with us in the Town Hall in Topsfield on Saturday, March 31st, 1917, at eight o'clock in the evening and there organize such a special Committee to provide for the common defence and general welfare to be run along the lines laid down by the Central State Committee.
A most crowded and enthusiastic meeting was called to order by Baxter P. Pike, moderator of the town-meeting. James Duncan Phillips was chosen permanent chairman and Rev. George L. Gleason offered prayer. Roland W. Boyden, of the Massachusetts Committee of Public Safety, spoke outlining the duties of the Committee, and Sergeant (now Lieutenant-Colonel) Donaldson of Hamilton, a former Topsfield boy, spoke of the military work to be done. On motion offered by Arthur H. Wellman, the chairman appointed the following committee to serve with the chairman:

BAXTER P. PIKE
ANDY F. JACKMAN
THOMAS L. JENKINS, M.D.
BENJAMIN B. TOWNE who should choose a large committee to carry on the work for the citizens during the period of the war. The town hall was decorated with flags, an orchestra furnished music for the sing of the national anthem and "My Country, 'tis of Thee."
Four days later the following Executive Committee was annuonced in accordance with the action of this meeting:

TOPSFIELD COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY

James Duncan Phillips, Chairman
George Francis Dow, Vice-Chairman
Benjamin B. Towne, Secretary
William B. Poor, Treasurer

Executive Committee

John J. Cass
Fred Dingle
George A. Gerry (deceased)
Andy F. Jackman
Thomas L. Jenkins, M.D.
Baxter P. Pike (deceased)

Edward J. Prest
T.E. Proctor
George M. Tilton
Arthur H. Wellman
Richard Wheatland
I. M. Woodbury

and the officers, ex-officio

THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

1.Town Protection and Home-Guards Edward J. Prest, Chairman Patrick Collins Eugene M. Down George A. Gerry Wilfred Hay T. W. Peirce Charles H. Potter T. E. Proctor Russell C. Smith	2. Emergency and Transportation Andy F. Jackman, Chairman Clarence L. Brown E.P. Ferguson T. Jesse Fuller Charles R. Wait Hazen R. Wildes
3. Horses, Motor Vehicles, Industrial Survey Baxter P. Pike, Chairman John J. Cass Fred Dingle John L. Fiske Charles J. Peabody Andrew L. Peirce H.B. Williams	4. Camps, Military Equipment and Supplies Thomas L. Jenkins, M.D. Chairman William B. Poor, Vice-Chairman F.C. Burnham Fred Dingle Leroy W. Gleason T. W. Peirce Charles R. Wait
5. Recruiting George A. Gerry, Chairman Alexander B. Carter Manuel F. Castle Eugene M. Dow T.E. Elliot Rev. Arthur H. Gilmore Fred A. Greenwood Mark Hodges H.B. Williams and the Veterans of the Civil War	6. CoÖrdination with other Societies J. D. Phillips, Chairman Mrs. Pearl Colby Elbride H. Gilford Leroy W. Gleason Charles J. Peabody Mrs. T.W. Peirce William B. Poor Benjamin B. Towne Miss Katharine F. Wellman
7. Food Production George M. Tilton, Chairman
Fred W. Deering Rev. Arthur H. Gilmore George Grinnell Mrs. Thomas L. Jenkins	John S. Lawrence James Marlborough Mrs. J.D. Phillips Forrest W. Rust
Sargent H. Wellman

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      The forenamed sub-committees were authorized by the Executive Committee which also advised the appointment of a Finance Committee, composed of Thomas E. Proctor, William E. Poor, and Fred Dingle.
      On April 12 the Committee on Home Guards reported that a drill had been held on april 11 and that much interest had been shown in the organization of a company. the Food Committee reported that a survey had been made of the town with a view to increasing its food production.
      Two weeks later it was voted to organize a company of the State Guard, Topsfield to provide forty-five men if Boxford would provide the remaining twenty-five, and this was the first definite move toward the organization of what has since become the Machine-Gun company.
      The Food Production Committee at the same time reported that the organization of a Canning Club was advised which, on May 3, was appointed, composed of Mrs. J.D. Phillips, Chairman; Mrs. Frank Smith, Mrs. T. W. Peirce, Mrs. John S. Lawrence, and Mrs. Wilfred Hay. Two weeks later the Canning Club was authorized to accept an underwriting of $500, kindly offered by a good friend, to run the Club for one year.
      On June 4 Rev. Emery L. Bradford, Isaac H. Sawyer, and Harry L. Cole, all of Boxford, were added to the Home Guard Committee with the idea of securing a group of men from Boxford for the Company. At this same meeting the Finance Committee was made into a Liberty Loan committee and requested to give attention to the solicitation of subscriptions for the First Liberty Loan. This was the beginning of the Liberty Loan organizations, a special report of which is attached.
      On June 16, as it seemed likely that the train service to Topsfield would be reduced to such an extent that there would be no noon train, Mr. Wellman was asked to appear before the Railroad Commissioners and ask that the twelve o'clock train be retained. The support of various men in Georgetown, Boxford, and Danvers was secured, and representatives of the Public Safety Committee appeared with them at the meeting in Boston and made such a vigorous protest that the noon train which had already been removed was restored.
      All the war activities of the town having been well started, meetings were discontinued until the time when the question of keeping track of our soldiers and bidding a proper farewell to the men who had gone into the Army was brought up. At that time a committee was appointed to organize a meeting for such a farewell, and an enthusiastic meeting was held on November 3, at which Hon. George R. Jones of Melrose, formerly President of the Massachusetts State Senate, made an address and honor flags were presented to the families of all men who had gone into service.
      On December 11, the news of the Halifax disaster having been received in the town, a hurried subscription netted a contribution of $275.90 which was more than the town allotment.
      On July 9, 1918, at the request of many members of the Red Cross, the Public Safety Committee called a meeting of the members of the Red Cross with a view to the organization of a Chapter in Topsfield. Howard Corning, of the New England Division, and Mr. Carter, of the Essex County Committee, spoke, and a Chapter was formed to coöperate with the New England Division.
      Early in September a meeting was held to organize the Liberty Loan Committee which did such efficient work for the last Liberty Loan and for the Victory Loan.
      The question of erecting a temporary service board or memorial for the men in active service was considered carefully, and an interesting design, modelled on an English market cross, was presented by Charles R. Wait. The design was very highly commended, but it was finally decided that it was inadvisable to erect such a temporary memorial at the present time.
      This report should not be closed without mention of the losses to the Committee itself. Two of the sixteen original members of the Public Safety Committee have died.
      Baxter P. Pike, a most useful and energetic member of the Committee, to whose encouragement and loyal help much of the success was due, died in December, 1918. Mr. Pike had held almost every town office and at once threw his influence behind a movement to enlist the town for the cause of patriotism.
      George A. Gerry, also one of the energetic useful spirits of the Committee, died just as it was finishing its work. Interested in everything which meant action, he was a tower of strength in the organization of the Company and in the campaigns for funds.
      It would be difficult to choose from the town two men more valuable. The one had grown gray in the public service, the other was just in the midst of a career of great usefulness.