The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-24
SIGNAL CORPS IS
GETTING RECRUITS
Lieutenant Splatt Expects No
Difficulty in Putting New Or
ganization on-Its Feet.

From the interest manifested locally
in the organization Of n field conn,nv
or the signal corps, an auNilinrv or tho
state militia. 1t is probable that the
minimum number OF recruits Will hc
s'shcu up before the end of tho week
ms branch OF the volunteer service
IL entirely new in Virginia. ana Is ono
particularly attractive to Young man
technically inclined or to those uho
nave already served in another branch
drill ''' 'o"'iho
Lieutenant Frank S Splatt. former
! ~ OF the First Virginia Regiment. who
20 :" ch"rEe or the recruiting OF tha
.'e" company. is Sratined with tho
present outlook. He has secured soy
,.' -, me" win previous military cx-
pc'i"hce 10 form the nucleus OF tho
organization. and a number OF other.
nave agreed TO join These men v,II
biy meet tonight TO discuss tn.
preliminary plans aud to settle upon
regular meeting night.
Good Quarters 'romIscd
Quarters in the new aruorv or ,ho
flfst virginia Regiment have b..n
promised by Major Lawrence r. Price
VINO mas spare room which could be
usen Tor The storing of equipment and
as !, place TO assemble He will also
give the proposed company tho FREQ
run OF The entire building which. when
completed. Will be the largest and best
ar;nory south OF Washington.
IN addition to the cooperation OF
practically all of tho local line ANA
stan officers. Lieutenant Splatt has re-
cciVcd assurances N support from All
over the state. The signal corps. while
new here. is one OF the most useful
adluncts TO an army, and In cas-. OF
held service would be absolutely ucccs-
sary.
1t has charge Of all lines OF comr,u
nlcaton including wireless and aero
planes. II does all signaling. either
by telegraph or telephone. or when this
means OF communication is lost. by.
Tigwagging, semaphorc and hello
graph. The latter is used cspecialIv
at night 10 flash signals
Wnnt SOuthsidc Roys.
~ Is probable that the larger part
~ the siNty-one young Southsiders.
Nho agreed TO enlist in "A company OF
infantry in South Richmond. viii hc
induced 10 join hands with the pro-
posed company. Earle Lutz, who re
efuitcd the Southsidc boys, has been
unable To secure quarters acceptable
- Tho military authorities. and rather
man abandon his plans altogether has
announced that lie Will use his Innu
chce to assist Lieutenant Splatt in
forming his company. a number OF
inc men have agreed to join. and the
others will be approached AZ rapidly
as possible.
The necessary equipment for Sig
hal corps Is now in the hands of Ad-
1utaht General w W. Sale. and can be
issued Immediately. y wireless sta
ton can be installed in the new arm
Dry the acTials being erected in the
rear OF the big towers. While pro
hibited to send messages by Federal
1t would be possible to picl;
up messages and gain practice in this |
manner.
liz Mounted Organization.
Although a field company consists OF /
siXty-nne enlisted men and three Of |
fcers. 1t will not require this number |
TO begin with, and the hackers OF the |
movement Intend TO start with n small I
lot OF good men and recruit only the /
best material. The organization will |
he entirely separate and distinct from |
any other In the State, and when in
the field Is mounted. On ceremonial
occasions. especially local parades. it
could go mounted practically the same /
as troop OF cavalry
There will be no regular routine |
drill, but Interesting instruction will |
be given by competent instructors The |
will be uniformed In con
formity with the other militia organi-
cations. Meetings will be held once
Il week