Albuquerque morning journal., 1916-06-27
CITIZENS DECIDE
HOME GUARD IS
NOT NECESSARY
Adequate Provision Already
Made by Chief Of Police Ga
IuSI a for Protection of City
in Case Of Emergency,

That there exists no necessity at
this time for The organization OF
home guard 10 protect the lives and
property of Albuquerque citizens and
that ample provision has already been
made hy the police authorities under
the direction of chief J. Il. Gamsha
to meet any emergency that is likely
to arise We're the opinions unanimous
lN voiced at II largely attended mass
meeting here at the Commercial club
last night. and as Il result the telta-
tive organization effected Sunday
night with a view to establishing such
q body of citizen soldiers was aban-
ioned.
Tho feature Of the meeting which
came us q distinct surprise to the
great majority OF those present, was
the disclosure that for the last two
weeks or more there has been virtual
~ an organization Of expert riflemen
ready al moments notice to re-
spond to the call of chief Galusha IN
case trouble should arise. that each
Of these men has al his home a rifle
aud 100 rounds OF ammunition and
that IN addition the police department
has stored in the vaults at the city
hall twentN-onc army rifles and an
abundant supply Of ammunition for
the use os any extra men that She
chief might find II necessary TO press
into service.
Letter From CHIEF Galusha.
This information was contained in
"A letter to r. j.. y, McAllister, secre-
taiN Of the meeting. from Chief Ca
hlsha. who was unable TO be present
on account of having 70 attend the
meeting of the city council last night
The chief explained IN his letter that
as soon as II became apparent that
the situation IN Mexico would prob
ably lead to war he had begun prep
arations 10 take care of any cmerg-
ency that might arise by reason of the
presence In the city of citizens OF
Mexico, but had rCfrained from max
ing any public announcement Of what
he mad done because he did nor wish
to create any alarm among the peo-
pie Of the city. He stated further that
thorough investigation Of the situa-
tion through all the channels known
to the police had led him TO the be-
lief that there is no reason TO appre-
hcnd any disorder in Albuquerque on
account of the trouble with Mexico.
The men whose services have been
secured by Chief Galusha in case they
are needed are all members of one
or the other Of the two rifle clubs OF
the city, and were chosen with spec
ial reference 10 their coolncsa and dis
erection. as we'll as their ability to
shoot straight Arrangements have
been made with the telephone com
for prompt communication with all OF
them on a moments notice, and avery
one Is prepared TO respond immedl'
ately TO any coll from the chief TIL
chief expressed the opinion that great
danger would result from the indis-
crimnate afming of citizens regard
less Of their Judgment or sense of re-
sponsibility, ana declared that he was
ready to meet any emergency that
might arise
Sheriff. office Ready.
Under Sheriff Dick Lewis was pres
ent at the meeting and when called
upon expressed opinions substantially
Identical with those contained in the
letter of chief Galusha He said that
the sheriff's office was willing to is
sue as many commissions TO respon-
sible citizens US might be needed in
an emergency. hut he did not think
that this was necessary under present
conditions He added that from his
personal knowledge of the Mexican
population of Albuquerque and the
surrounding country he believed that
the Mexicans were timid. that trouble
was the last thing they were looking
for and that they had come 10 this
country for the purpose of getting
away from trouble.
The opinions expressed by CHIEF
Galusha and Under Sheriff Lewis
sealed the doom of the home guard
The discussion which followed was en-
tirely one-slded The view was unan-
imous that home guard was not only
unnecessary but that it was likely to
do positive harm to the city, aud
when q. \. Marion made u motion
thai the meetne express us conf
dence in the ability of the city and
county authorizes to handle the situ-
ation and abandon the idea of form
ing home guard there was not dis
seuting vote