The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-05-05
GREEK MILITARY
COMPANY ILLEGAL?
Governor and Attorney General
Investigate Right of Men
to Organize.
MAY VIOLATE STATE LAW
LEADERS EXPECT GOVERN
MENT RIFLES.
MAY VIOLATE STATE LAW

Has the recently organized Greek
military company been formed con-
trary to the statutes of the state CT
Utah, and should the members of The
company drill or parade with arms,
would such action be in violation of
chapter 70, section 81, of the laws OF
the state2
These and other questions concern
ing the legality of the formation OF
Greek military company in Salt Lake
will be determined today at confer
ence between Governor William Spry
and Attorney General A R. Barnes.
According to the amended military
laws of Utah, the Greek military COM
pany cannot drill or parade with
arms, unless it can be proven that it
is an organization of a purely benevo-
lent or social character. From what
can be learned of the company, no in
corporation papers have been filed,
and il has no existence under the laws
of the state.
The question arises, Is the company
an organization of a purely benevo-
lent or social nature? The promoters,
it would appear, have nothing to show
that would bring it under this CLASH
fication.
The law covering this case is found
in chapter 70, section 81, laws of
Utah, 1909, and is as follows:
1T shall not be lawful for any body
of men other than the militia of this
state, regularly organized, or called
into service, the troops of the United
States, the students of educational in
situations receiving military instruc-
ton under command of their instruc-
fNr. a,,s~r
nevolent or social character to drill or
parade with arms in this state"
If the company can prove that 1t is
an organization of a purely benevo-
lent or social character. all well and
good, but if it fails to do this it would
appear that a violation of the STAT
utes Of the state is contemplated.
Form Military Company.
Plans looking toward the forma-
ton in Salt Lake of a Greek military
company are about completed, and
the organization has been perfected
by the enrolment of over d hundred
young Greek-Americans of this city.
The uniforms, which were ordered
several weeks ago, will be really for
distribution within the course of a
few days, when it is expected the men
will be provided with their arms and
equipment.
According to n. P. Stathakos. the
most influential member of the local
Greek colony, and the moving spirit
in the organization of the new MILL
tary company, the organization has
been approved by the head officers Of
the Utah national guard, and he also
stated the arms will be supplied by
the state military authorities.
There are Greek military compa-
MES in several American cities" said
Mr.. Strathakos last night These
are located in the cities of New York,
Boston, Lowell, Lynn and Manchester,
and come under the Jurisdiction of
the military authorities of the states.
All of the men who are enrolled in
the Salt Lake company have sworn
allegiance to the United States and
are good citizens.
John Demost and Gust Kerejian-
mis- were the first TO suggest the or
ganization of a company here. The
captain of the company is Nick K.
Kondykes, who served as a non-com-
missioned officer in the Greek army
for several years. The trumpeters
are E. Venizelps and James Fotopou-
lous, who served in a like capacity In
the Greek army. We have talked
with army officers at Fort Douglas,
and with national guard officers. and
they have promised US much assist
ance in this matter.
Rifles From Uncle Sam.
1--WE will obtain our rifles from the
United States government, through
the Utah national guard, and take
steps to secure facilities for target
practice We will try to make our
company an efficient organization of
good Greek-American soldiers
Mr.. Stathakos explains that there
is nothing revolutionary in the move
ment. I'VE love our king" he said,
land our people are devoted subjects
of King George. We will rally about
his standard whenever he calls us,
and we will rush to the defense of the
American flag il we are ever needed
for that purpose. The real purpose
Of the organization is merely that we
are ready to bear arms under the
Greek colors or under the American
flag, and to make our services inteIH-
gent We are organized into companies
to learn how to fight in the right way
We believe, also, that the companies
will foster a greater love for law and
order and make better citizens of the
Greek-Americans. It will also prove
of physical benefit to the men, MAX
ing them strong and healthy"
Mr.. Stathakos, however, could not
explain satisfactorily how 1t Is posi-
bic for the members of the Greek
company to serve two masters-UncIe
Sam and King George. When these
men became. naturalized citizens of
the United States, and swore allegi-
ance to this country, they foreswore
all allegiance to any foreign monarch,