100 years ago in The Record

Friday, March 30, 1917

The Troy-based Second New York Infantry regiment will perform its federally-assigned police protection duties over an area covering eleven counties, reaching to the borders of Massachusetts, Vermont and Canada, The Record reports. The Second, which saw border-patrol duty in Texas last year, was one of two New York regiments called into federal service last Sunday. “The troops will guard all railroads, waterworks property and any other public utilities that may be considered in danger” should the U.S. declare war on Germany next week. The Second New York District, which will come under the regiment’s protection, encompasses “the whole northeastern part of the state.” Where its companies will be deployed, or where Colonel James S. Andrews will make his new headquarters, remain to be determined. Andrews tells our paper that has hasn’t yet “designated any particular company for any particular place as yet.” He plans to move the companies out of Troy as soon as they’re all formally mustered into federal service. Three companies are mustered in today. The muster includes an oath that “binds every man to uphold the constitution and laws of the United States, obey President [ Woodrow] Wilson, offer true allegiance and oppose any and all enemies of the country,” our reporter explains. The President is scheduled to address a special session of Congress on April 2 and request a declaration of war. The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Germany in February to protest unrestricted submarine warfare on merchant ships bound for France and Great Britain.

BELT LINE BATTLE

After months of accusations and negotiations, the Delaware & Hudson and New York Central railroads have agreed to provide belt line service every half hour between Troy and Albany, but local commuters will pay a price for the agreement.

The railroads drastically cut belt-line service last December, claiming that they didn’t make enough money to justify the frequent trips between cities. Mayor Cornelius F. Burns has pressured the roads to restore service to former levels. During today’s final round of negotiations at City Hall he reminds the railroads that “the freight tonnage was surely big enough and profitable enough to make [service cuts] unnecessary.

“The industries of Troy are the sources of this tonnage, and when the passenger service is cut those industries are hurt,” the mayor continues.

Today’s agreement means “better service for more money.” Local train fares will go up from ten cents to fifteen cents. To make up for that, the railroads will now honor transfers on their trolley lines, allowing commuters to travel all the way from Albany to Albia, Sycaway or Waterford for just fifteen cents.

— Kevin Gilbert