New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-07
VIITCHEL'S 1000
TO URGE DEFENCE
Committee Will Be Picked
from Business, Trades
and Professions.
AROUSE INTEREST
OF ALL IS PURPOSE
Mayor Says City's Position
Makes National Wartime Plans
of Particular Importance.

Mayor Mitchell announced last night
F his determination 10 appoint a local
committee Of a thousand representa-
/ tive citizens to arouse interest in, and
urge the adoption Of. an adequate plan
F for national defence. IL is his belief
that this city. because OF its position,
is peculiarly interested in having this
country adequately prepared TO repei
any foreign attacks.
Tie executive committee, OF which
the Mayor mas asked Cornelius Van
derbilt to be the chairman. was made
public last night. The other members
are Cleveland II. Dodge, Alexander NJ.
White. George W. Perkins. William y.
Dykman. Bernard NJ Bsruch and vii
lard D. Straight The Mayor said the
larger committee had been in the proc
ess Of formation for about two weeks,
and the names of its members woulJ
be given out as soon as possible. 1t
is his hope that il will represent every
business, trade, profession and occupa-
ton in the city. This statement Of his
plan was made by the Mayor:
Every person who has taken the
trouble 10 give intelligent study 20 the
subject Of national defence In the
United States realizes to-day that THIS
nation, if il would maintain its ma
tional dignity and self-respect, and II
il would secure permanently TO its peo-
pie The certain enjoyment and contnu-
ance Of the free institutions under
which they now live, must take i'm
mediate steps to establish upon a frm
and permenent foundation its .ystem
Of national defence
because. Of all the United States,
&c En ~
Immediately and directly interested In
the matter Of national defence, and
because in its own interests and IN the
interests Of the nation the organized
voice of this city should be heard N
support Of an adequate plan OF matt Al
defence. after careful consideration
since my return from Plattsburg ! have
determined TO appoint citizens com
roittee Of one thousand, representative
OF all businesses, trades. professions
and occupations in this community, TO
promote in this city II general under
standing Of the problem Of national 1e-
fence and Of the necessity for the
enactment into law Of substantial
and, vigorous national defence pro
gramme. -,
"The purpose Of the committee VIII
be TO develop in this city an under
standing OF, and a sentiment for, Ell
fective national defence and later TO
sustain the hands Of the national gov
eminent in its requests for the adop-
ion Of such a programme by the Con-
.ress of the United States
This committee is to be IN no sense
tcchnical organization. II will evolve
plans Of defence. organize no camps
2 instruction Its objec, is to educate
re- public up TO the necessity for ade-
5uate defence and to give such support
% plans that may be made as may be
'ound necessary.
The Mayor feels that there is a great
iced for such a work and that this city
IS more vitality interested in the prob
lem than any other in the country. 1t
viii be part Of its work to see that
proper attention is given to this city
In whatever plans Of defence may be
projected.