Building the War Effort: New Brunswick During the Great War
Liam Smith
This weekend, we hope you will join us for Service and Sacrifice: World War I Remembered, the first of multiple military history themed walking tours we will be doing this May in the lead up to Memorial Day. In recognition of the tour this weekend, I thought it might be interesting to highlight the way that New Brunswick’s Industry grew in response to the war; New Brunswick, as with many other cities throughout the country, did their part to help the war effort. This was especially true of the most famous family interred at Elmwood Cemetery, the Johnsons.
It is worth remembering that the majority of the Great War was fought before America got involved. Even though America would not get involved militarily until 1917, from the outbreak of the war America’s manufacturing and industry would be quick to respond to the needs of the warring nations. Johnson & Johnson, in particular, grew almost exponentially during the war years, operating with great fervor to keep up with the wartime demand for medical supplies. This growth, and the growth of other companies in New Brunswick during the war, led to a flouring economy in the city. The business was only a few decades old and while Johnson & Johnson had seen it’s business grow while it supported the war effort during the Spanish-American War, the success it saw during World War I was truly impressive.
Many industries in New Brunswick saw similar success at this time, and from 1910 to 1918 the city’s population doubled thanks in part to this economic boom period. Of course, the largest moment of growth would be after America entered the conflict. The Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation would establish a factory in New Brunswick in 1917 and employed 2500-3000 people, the most of any company, to produce airplane engines for the US and France. The federal government would even build housing for Wright-Martin employees down Somerset Street to support this vital company.
The Interwoven Stocking Company, headquartered in New Brunswick and operating factories and mills throughout the country, also won a number of military contracts and claimed they produced more types of hosiery than anyone in the world. While it might not immediately come to mind when considering wartime manufacturing, textiles and fabrics were very important as the government had to dress hundreds of thousands of soldiers. These companies and others lined the Raritan with factories and were the economic backbone of the city for a number of years.
Speaking of America’s entrance into the war, New Brunswick rallied swiftly when their nation called upon them. All men aged 21-31 were required to register for the draft nationwide, and Johnson & Johnson did not show and worry as their workers registered for the draft. On a personal level, James W. Johnson, of the Johnson family would be asked by Herbert Hoover, the United States Food Director, to serve as a commissioner to conserve food. This work was important as the government worried they would have to ration food for the war effort. Clearly, people of all stripes were helping with the war effort.
Fundraising was also popular, through committees or individual philanthropic action. The city contributed over $400,000 to war relief campaigns over the course of 2 years, averaging out to over $100 a person assuming a wartime population for around 40,000 in New Brunswick. $17,000 was raised at a fundraising dinner with special guest former President Taft. And all of this was fundraising isn’t even taking into the account the Liberty Loan Drive, a 5 part campaign to raise money through the sale of war bonds.
These loans financed by two acts of congress called the Liberty Loan Acts. Liberty Loans were war bonds that citizens could purchase. They would be paid back with interest sometime after the war, but in the short term the money they raised went straight to the government and military. James W. Johnson managed two of these loan drives and the city of New Brunswick ultimately raised a total of over $13 million from these loans that went to the war effort.
The story of Johnson & Johnson and companies like it illustrates World War I’s widespread impact, not just on personal lives but whole economic systems. In the decades after the war many of these factories left New Brunswick. In many ways, the military production of the world wars was perhaps the zenith of New Brunswick’s manufacturing might. Many companies have since left the city and those that remained have turned away from production and manufacturing.
Still, the city is fortunate to remain the home of a company like Johnson & Johnson, which remains one of the biggest features of the city. Their work during the war, and the work of their fellow companies in New Brunswick at the time, must be commended. Not only did they help with the war effort, but they also grew the economy in the city and helped ingrained themselves in the story of New Brunswick.
Sources:
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