The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-20

Employers who look pom member
ship in the State militia as a draw
back in the general efficiency and de-
STABILITY OF employees came in for
sharp criticism yesterday before tho
general court martial. which for tw o
days has been sitting in the seventh
Street Armory for the purpose OF try
Ing the cases Of soldiers OF the First
Battalion, First Regiment, Virginia
Volunteers. who failed to attend the
annual encampment al Culpeper
or eighteen cases heard the excuse
of the accused men was the same In
almost every instance: II would have
lost my Job II / had left the city: my
boss would not let me Off,
AS far as possible the court attempt
ed to verify these statements. and yes
terday succeeded in securing repre-
sentatives OF the Sydnor Pump and
Well Company. E. B. Taylor & Co. and
Robinson. Nelson & Co. The Eydnor
rotary, Charles F. Cole: Taylor & Co..
by its president A. j. Parrish. and
Robinson. Nelson & Co, by its man
ager. r. w. Winfree. Jr. Though none
OF these business men would admit
the fact pointrlank. the court salts
fed itself that their attitude was to
forbid employment TO members of
the Virginia Volunteers.
Lost Two Positions.
These witnesses were summoned in
the case OF Private Horace B. Bib.
of Company c. who gave a. his excuse
that he did not go TO Culpeper because
he had lost two positions in carry
ing out his military duties. and was
threatened with losing his present one
had he gone to Culpeper. lie is now
rD11~l -
Asked from what concerns he had
been discharged for performing his
military work, he gave the names Of
the Sydnor Company and the Johnson
Company 1t was at this point that
orderlies were sent out to bring in
witnesses from the business houses
which had employed Bibb.
To each witness Captain Jennings C.
Wise, the Judge advocate. explained
that 1t was the purpose OF the court,
as far as possible, to ascertain the
attitude Of the business men. en-
ployers of the State. towards hiring
members of the State guard
1T is all right for a man to be a
soldier, but II he wants to be a SOL
der let him join the regular army and
give up his business. Be a business
man or be a5soldier. but don't try TO
be BOTH" said Mr.. Winfree upon the
stand.
Discussion of Militia.
Then you do not believe in the
State militia. do you?" inquired Cap
tain Wise.
The witness said that he was of the
opinion that 1t was a good thing. but
would not agree that 1t was of sufi-
cient Importance for a man to neglect
his business interests.
UYon would nrafer cvcta,,, IN
America. then. similar to that In
vogue in Continental Europe. where
every man Is compelled to serve four
or Ave years in the army?" asked Cap
tain I. Branch Johnson, OF Norfolk.
commanding Battery B. Field Artillery,
and Junior officer Of the court
The witness replied that he was not
familiar with the operation of mill
tary regulations in Continental Europe.
you are aware, of course" said
Captain Johnson. that the State MILL
tia is part of our social system? Tt
protects your property; It's mere moral
presence deters many who would be
inclined towards lawlessness."
THE militia is a fine thing, but a
man in our business cannot give his
time to military duties" responded
the witness.
Would stop Business.
Mr.. Parrish said that it would be
impossible for f. B. Taylor & Co. to
carry on Its business If its employees
We're members of the State troops He
did not recall Diminishing Bibb from
his service. explaining that he had
many employees coming and going
throughout year. and though he re-
membered that Bibb did work for him,
he could not say why he left.
Mr.. Cole said that the Sydnor Pumr
and Well Company had filled the place
of Bibb when the latter went to Get.
tysburg; he said that no one had a righl
to Interfere with mans business, and
that he thought membership in the mi.
litia was a drawback to any man en-.
gagged in business.
Would you dismiss a man from your
service IL he was summoned for Jury