New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-03
CALLS CYCLISTS
TO AID MILITIA
Gen. Organ Will Demon
strate Value of Machines
at Park Man9uvreS.
CAPTAIN SPENCER
TO FORM SQUADRON
American Defence Society Again
Challenges Garrison on Pre-
paredness Delay.

The usefulness of the motorcycle as
machine of war will be recognized
for the first time in this state at III .
maneuvres Of the state troops TO be
held at Van Cortlandt Park on Sep
TENDER %. Major Genera. John F.
Organ has detailed Captain Lorillard
Spencer, of the Coast Defence. 70 or
ganize a volunteer squadron of motor
cyclists to be temporarily attached TO
the New York national guard.
An invitation is extended to all mo-
torcycle clubs in and around Greater
New York and to all unattached riders
to attend preliminary meeting at the
Sth Coast Defence Command Armory,
Ninety-fourth Street and Park Ave
nue., Wednesday. at S p. m, at which
the plan will be more fully explained.
Captain Spencer said yesterday he
had communicated with several clubs,
who welcomed the chance to show the
worth of the motorcycle for military
purposes. Some of the clubs have
men drilling already.
The motorcyclists will divide into
companies as follows: Mounted or
derlies for stats. machine gun compa-
MES. companies for transportation OF
ammunition. and auxiliary companies
for the field hospital.
Captain Spencer said the men could
go to the armory next Wednesday
on their motorcycles, as special guards
will be provided to take care of the
machines during the meeting.
Is Patriotic Service.
Among the speakers invited to ad-
dress the meeting are some who have
attended the citizens camp at Platts-
burg, and they are expected to tell
their observations as to the need of
improving the light transportation
facilities now in vogue both in the
New York national guard and the
regular army. Captain Spencer points
out in his invitation that such service
al the motorcyclists can AFFORD is high
~ patriotic, and should recommend it
self to all young men who desire to
help in the general movement for
greater preparedness.
A statement issued yesterday at the
Offices of the American Defence Soci-
ETY., over the signatures of c. ).
Thompson, as chairman, and Gushing
Stetson, as secretary, of the society,
asserted that the open letter recently
sent to Secretary Garrison of the War
Department was not intended to en-
barrass the Secretary, as he intimated
in his reply. but to ascertain IL the
administration was in favor of sup
pressing all agitation for preparedness
at this time.
Wants GarrisOn's Aid.
For some time the name of Mr.
Garrison has been used by friends OF
the administration" the statement as
serted, for the purpose of suppress
ing an active campaign for prepared
ness until November or December. To
find out if his name had been used
without permission. the board of trus-
tees wrote the open letter under date
Of August %, and to this direct ques-
ton the Secretary has offered no re-
ply.
at is therefore assumed that these
friends Of the administration correct
" quoted the Secretary in urging a
postponement of an aggressive cam
paign for defence until fall, when
elections are actually being held.
"The good faith and sincerity of the
Secretary in this work for prepared
ness are not in question. Mr.. CARR
SON is the one man of the admins
tration who has done good work for
this cause. This, however, is not the
point in issue. 49,.
an view of the deplorable condition
Of unpreparedness, in view of the fact
that one whole year has passed since
the outbreak of the war in Europe
during which "a a nation we have mad
grave diplomatic exchanges with at
least two belligerent powers. and IN
view of the fact that nothing has yet
been done by Congress in the way of
preparedness along the very lines sug-
eested by the Secretary himself, the
hoard of trustees sees the need of an
immediate aggressive campaign for
Congressional action in behalf of pre-
paredness. And in this work we de-
sire the cooperation. Of the Secretary
himself"