The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-29
MILITARY SPIRIT
LACKS ACTIVITY
SALE SAYS
VIRGINIA WILL AWAKEN TO
a..
GRAVE SITUATION.
FORM AVIATION CLUB
SOCIETY or ENGINEERS HEARS
BREASTS or YOUNG MEN.

Interesting talks were made before
the Richmond Society of Engineers
Mt Mechanics Institute, last night by
Acknowledgement Sale and Greenhow
Johnston, a local inventor and aero
plane enthusiast and designer.
Both speakers dwelt upon the i'm
portance of aviation TO the army of
the United states and especially to
the militia.
General Sale spoke at length OF
the Importance Of more interest and
activity in military matters through
out the county. He clearly indicated
that the country Is sadly lacking In
military spirit. although within the
past few months. he admitted. this
spirit has received some acceleration,
due to the war in Europe.
He referred to the fact that in 1920
there were In Virginia 1876 regiments.
Today there are three and about two
thirds.
Nearly four regiments" as he ex-
pressed 1t.
Virginia is in the eighth unit in the
military plan of the country. The
United States is divided into units.
The eighth, OF which Virginia, and
Richmond, are a part. embraces vir-
ginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Della
ware and New Jersey
Lack of Military Spirit.
General Sale deplored the lack of
enthusiasm, and urged the members
OF the Engineers Society to get In
touch with matters pertaining to the
held artillery service, the aviation SER
vice and the engineers service OF the
military branch of the Government,
we in Virginia are lacking very
much In artillery, engineering. cavalry
and aviation" said General Sale. You
gentlemen. you young men. can help
much. and ! earnestly hope you may
see the point which / am trying to
impress upon you. In 1890 we had
l26 regiments The indivf iuaIs main
tanned Themselves. They bought their
uniforms. paid their railroad fares
and maintained themselves on trips
and encampments. Now Il fs hard TO
get young men interested In organiza-
tons in which they have nothing to
pay. and to which they have to give
out little OF their time.
we will awake some time to the
Importance Of this. and vii! find that
we are sorely lacking in the spirit
which inspired our forefathera the
men who made this country the great
one~~the greatest one on the face of
the earth"
The speaker stated that a bill Ia
now pending In Congress for appro-
priation OF 100000 for the aviation
service, and he felt that much of this
appropriation, which is likely to be
given, will be apporticned to the var!-
Gus States, and he hoped the Rich
nond engineers would enter into the
spirit or the proposition to establish
an aviation association or club. SO that
Richmond might be a pioneer In the
development OF tho science of tsle air
Form Aviation Club.
Mr.. Johnson In his short talk suc-
gested that members Of the society
form club. for the purpose OF study
Ing aviation. SO that when an appro-
priation reaches Richmond, II might
be applied to practical use.
Engineers are required IN this
work" said Mr.. Johnston. "Aviators
who are successful, must he engineers
There is muesn they can III. and with
an organization. which must meet
regularly and study the science. there
will be little reason for failure in lead
ing any city in America, Let's make
Richmond the leading air-ship city in
the country. like Detroit is the lead
ing automobile town"
1t was stated last night that within
the next few days an aviation club
would be organized. and that the
military organizations would be in
vited to take an interest in t1e pro-
position.
Before the speakers were intro
duced by Vice President Ernest W.
Farley. officers for the term were
elected Az follows: President. Arthur
Scrivenor; vice president, Ernest w
Farley; treasurer. p F. Pitcher: new
members, Allan Saviile. ane Stanley
Watkins Among those present was
City Engineer C. r. Boiling.
Mr.. Farley announced that within
the next few weeks eminent specialists
in franchises, gas and city planning
would address the society.