100 years ago in The Record
Monday, June 25, 1917
Trojans face two deadlines today. As a city, they have until 8 p.m. to raise $150,000 for the American Red Cross. As individuals, they have until the same hour to register for New York State’s military census. Registration centers in each of the city’s voting districts will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All residents between the ages of sixteen and fifty are required to register to help the state government determine their availability for military or other forms of national service during the war against Germany. Local census director Philip H. Draper issues a final warning to stragglers today. He reminds them that “if their names are not registered before the time for closing the lists to-night they are liable to immediate arrest and to the penalty of fine and imprisonment provided by law.” The Record reports that “The immediate prosecution of those failing to register is planned and arrests may be expected to-morrow.” The stakes aren’t as high in the city’s Red Cross drive. Troy starts the day just a few thousand dollars short of its assigned goal in a nationwide campaign to raise $100,000,000 for the organization. Nevertheless, a campaign organizer says this morning that “It will take the most persistent plugging up until the last minute” to reach the $150,000.
The Red Cross campaign officially closes tonight with a rally in Monument Square. “In itself this gathering proved to be one of the biggest enthusiastic and patriotic demonstrations ever witnessed in the city,” our reporter writes.
Thousands will the square to see the latest numbers projected on a big screen. “As reports of team captains, individual communities of groups were made known the spectators applauded, and when the grand total was announced, it appeared the crowd could give no stronger recognition.”
In the end, the Collar City raises a total of just over $157,000, meeting its goal with money to spare.
“Cheer after cheer was given out,” our writer reports, “When the American flag was shown on the screen all stood with bared heads for a few seconds and then hats were tossed in the air and the enthusiasm of the crowd as a demonstration of its patriotic fervor knew no bounds.”
Doring’s Band provides live music for the crowd, while the Majestic Theater and the Soldiers’ Welfare League present an open-air screening of the documentary, “Historical Troy.”
“Because of street lights it was impossible to shade the screen so that all the effects of the film could be appreciated,” our writer notes, “but as a whole the entertainment provided was most unique.”