Local History Column: One hundred years ago, Chattanooga goes to war

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One hundred years ago this week, the United States declared war on Germany and entered World War I on the side of the Allies. Chattanooga's morning paper, the Chattanooga Daily Times, on April 6, 1917, printed the expectation that the declaration would come that day, as the United States Senate had approved war just days before. The House was expected to vote approval that day as well.

The front page of the Times posted a proud accounting of what America brought to the conflict. "Into the balance against Germany are thrown a navy in strength and efficiency among the foremost afloat; an army comparatively small but highly efficient, backed by a citizenry of upward of 20,000,000 capable of military duty; industrial resources, incomparably the greatest in the world, already mobilized for public service, and the moral force of over 100,000,000 Americans."

But rumors abound, as a "score" of U-boats were reported to be lurking in the Gulf of Mexico, and government agents purportedly raided the home of a German brewer in Washington who had several small cannon trained on the Capitol.

Closer to home, the Times reported that in Alabama, a white man and a black man were arrested as agents of the German government for purportedly trying to get Southern blacks to rise against the United States.

German agents were supposedly posing as ministers of the Gospel or Bible salesmen to disguise their movements. Therefore, an editorial called for the "Colored Men" of Chattanooga to come to a meeting at the courthouse that night to "repudiate the foul aspersion that they might be beguiled by German agents to betray their country and join the enemies of the flag that stands to them for liberty and freedom."

The Rotary Club adjourned its meeting with a silent toast to the president, the army and the navy.

But the war did not take up all the pages of the Times. A letter to the editor from "A Traveling Man" complained that hogs sold at the meat markets were fattened by the flesh of "dead mules, horses, cows, dogs, cats, rats, etc."

An advertisement noted that the University of Tennessee Glee Club would perform on Saturday night at the Lyric Theater, and the night before, the Lookouts won at Clarksdale, Miss., 10-3, aided by at least 10 hits and three errors by the "enemy." The Chattanooga pitcher, Bacon, allowed only four hits. Jake Pitler, the club's second baseman, said that it was "the best team" the town had ever had.

April 6 was a Friday, so there were advertisements for Easter apparel, and it was reported that 325 Notre Dame students marched in a Holy Thursday procession at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. The Easter musical programs of a number of local churches were published, featuring the "Best Talent in the City."

That evening, The Chattanooga News confirmed to its readers that the declaration was final and America was at war. The paper reported that the Tennessee National Guard was placed on a war footing, and that German ships in American harbors were being seized by the government. Editorials proclaimed "America United" and exhorted readers to own a flag.

Former Sen. Newell Sanders was rumored to have volunteered for the Quartermaster's Reserve Corps. "Those who know him intimately" said Sanders would be of "inestimable value" to that organization. Dr. William F. Smith, pastor of the First M. E. Church, previously opposed to America's involvement in the war in Europe, now called for "every true and loyal American to stand by the colors."

Locally, it was reported that state, county and city inspectors concluded their visits to 644 establishments that handled food: groceries, restaurants, bakeries, soda fountains, meat shops, sausage factories, confectionaries and the like; 204 passed, 440 did not.

City Commissioner H.D. Huffaker was "agin" a bill that cut the number of Chattanooga City commissioners from five to three by abolishing the department of education and health and the department of public utilities. Huffaker was quoted as saying: "I can see nothing in the plan but the ultimate consolidation of the county and city schools." Although the bill did not pass, Commissioner Huffaker's fear materialized - in 1995.

Finally, the war with Germany and its allies was not the only pending conflict, as the News contained an advertisement of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.'s war on high prices.

Sam D. Elliott is a local attorney and historian. For more information, visit Chattahistoricalassoc.org.

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