The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-26
GEN. O'RYAN LIKES
| STATEN ISLAND SITE
Finds II Better for Rapid Mo-
Utilization Than Other
Suggested Locations.
FINAL DECISION HELD UP
It Will Not Be Announced Tn.
til Call to Mobilize
Is Issued.

--------
Msjor-t;en. John +. Organ. field com.
mander of the New York National Guard.
~ho arrived from Washington yesterday
morning, made an inspection In the after
noon OF the proposed mobilization camp
for the State troops on Staten Island and
decided that for a rapid mobilization of
the division it was more favorable than
any other location suggested. He will not
announce any decision OH the site, how
ever. until the call to mobilize is issued.
and ne expects the call al any time
Accompanied by Col. Walter X. Wright,
U. s. A. of the Department of the East,
stationed on Governors Island Col. Will
lam II. Sage. u. S. A.. detailed to the
National Guard as inspcc tor- instructor of
infantry; Col. A. r. Townsend. Quarter
master.General of the New York division
Col. r. Foster Walton. divisional Adjutant-
General; Major John +. Fair,hild. Z. s.
A.. Engineer Corps Capt. W. n. A. An
dersop. U. S. A.. Engineer Corps: Capt.
". s. Conrow. Twcnty-second Regiment,
Engineers, and Frank l.. Patterson. rep
ressnting the real estate owners Of the
proposed camp site, Gen. Organ made a
tour Of inspection on Staten Island from
Fingerboard road to the Vanderbilt and
Tysen properties at New Dorp.
The Only Objections.
The General and his party considered
the wet weather an excellent time to look
over the site. for drainage considerations.
They said later that the only objections
TO camping there were the proximity to
the city and annoyance by sightseers.
They found enough room to mobilize
about 10000 troops, electric lights. water
mains and excellent transportation and
docking facilities for a quick movement
Of the guard. Ample drilling grounds are
also afforded. In the opinion OF Gen.
Organ.
The camp sites at Fishkili Plains and
still being considered. He personally has
inspected both and a group of militia
Officers expect to 60 to Fishkil this morn
Ing The General said that II the guard
had about two months to train Fishkill
Plains would be ideal and he would never
think Of going into Peoples back yards
on Staten Island.
II was also learned that 1000 acres
At Fishkll have been offered for a camp
site at 80 cents an acre. while some of
the property owners in Richmond want
s35 an acre, which they won't get. lie
might choose the Hampstead aviation field
for rapid mobilization. he said. but
Staten Island will come first. lie does
not propose, though. to have the Gov
eminent held up.
$50 Acres In Site.
The site on Staten Island comprises
about $50 acres. 100 acres near Grasmere
Lake. on the Fingerboard road which will
probably be used AS manPuvring and
parade grounds; 400 acres midway be-
tween that point and New Dorp. the pro-
posed camp for the infantry. and $50
acres of the Vanderbilt. Tyson and adjoin-
ing properties at New Dorp, to be used,
II is said for the artillery and cavalry.
II these divisions do not go to Montauk
Point. Part of the site Is the same as
that used by Gen. Sickles when he mobil-
ICED 10000 men for the civil war. The
engineer corps will go down OH Monday
and make map to aid the assignment
of the different commands.
Word was received from Albany last
night that the selection Of the mobilza-
ton site rested largely with Gen. Robert
X Evans, commanding the Department
Of the East, whose Chief of Stan. Col.
W. G. Ham. has already approved OF the
Staten Island location. Adjt Gen. Henry
Dc Witt Hamilton, who made this state
ment, will confer with Gen. Organ this
afternoon at the Army and Navy Club.
Gen. Evans will also probably attend.
Gen. Hamilton said that Gov. Glynn had
talked with him over the telephone from
Lynn. Mass, and would hurry back To
Albany II the President issued call for
volunteers. The Adjutant- Generals Office
GILL be open all day to-day, waiting for
orders
Gen. Organ said last night that II the
State troops are not called upon for
service In Mexico they will camp during
July and August at Fishkill plaina which
has been approved for that purpose
Former Senator William II. Reynolds
Samuel W. Gomperty, James A. Nelson
and other property owners have offered
the War Department property at Coney
Island, Sea Beach and the Brighton Beach
racetrack for a mobilization site.