Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-24
BUSINESS men FAVOR
MILITARY TRAINING
regard Universal Preparedness a.
Fundamental Principle of
Democracy.
SYSTEM TO AFFECT ALL ALIKE
Patriotic Volunteers Now Doing Duty
OF Their Neighbors-Nati
Chamber of Commerce Takes Ref
ererrium Of Commercial Bodies.

Virginia business ORGANIZATIONS AZ
filiated with the Chamber or Commerce
or the United States have voted unani
naousiy In favor of universal military
framing as a fundamental democratic
principle Of the country's military mol
Icy. For tho purpose Of ascertaininp
tho sentiment of representative busi-
ness Interests on this question, the
mittcd to the commercial and tr,dc
organizations of the States and de
pendencies the following report OF the
committee appointed TO draw the refer
cndum:
The committee. recognizing mill
.ary oplisat'on equally with civic OBJ
llSatlonS as fundamental duty of
democratic citizenship I'm republic.
ana o establish a system which Will
AFFECT every man alike, recommends
that universal military training he
adopted as fundamental democratic
Prihclpie or our military policy, and
be enforced by law to furnish adco,iate
land, sea and Industrial forces in peace
and war"
The referendum was hardly short Of
revolutionary, in view of the quite on
posite policy that has been pursued by
tho country In the past. 1t went 10
every commercial and trade orrapiza-
L.
Der of Commerce of Richmond az we'll
as 10 the Chamber Of Commerce. of
Honolulu.
TwENTY-SIx STATES
APPROVE REPORT
organizations In twenty-six States,
including Virginia. voted unanimously
In favor Of the committees report In
sixteen other States the vote in favor
of ii was overwhelming, although not
Sfot fntl
and one State-Alabama-vo against
the referendum. The total ballot
showed that $50 votes were cast in
favor OF system of universal train
Ing and only 56 against It,
Like those of Virginia. North Caro-
INA business organizations supported
the referendum unanimously. as did
also those of Tennessee. Maryland
Delaware. West Virginia and the Dis
trict Of Columbia
South Carolina cast five votes for
tho system and three against IL. IIa-
wall, Alaska and the Philippine Islands
voted for universal military training
unanimously.
Commenting on this presentation.
The Nations Business" the organ of
the United States Chamber of Com
merce, says In It's current issue:
The main point is that business
men have now recognized the military
rank with which the civic duties OF
citizens and stated their conviction
that recognition of this principle is
fundamental. They have gone fur
Their, and recorded conclusive vote
that a system of universal military
training is one which will affect every
man alike. In other words. instead
OF being miltaristic or aristocratic II
is thoroughly democratic principle.
PATRIOTIC y0IENTEER
DOING DUTY OF NEIGHROR
Long enough the patriotic and self
sacrificing volunteer has Ehouldered
the rifle. and with 1t the duty OF his
neiGhbor. Long enough has he been
the victim OF the loosely knit and
siow-moving military machine which.
in our own history, inevitably results
from such a system. The beginning Of
compulsory education was regarded by
a famous English philosopher. Herbert
Spencer. as the doom OF progress: II
has proved to be one Of it's mainstays.
The acceptance by the American
people of an equal obligation for mill
tary duty on the part OF all citizens
should, 1t Is believed. prove Of equal
value. 1t is now urged emphaticany
by a responsible and conservative ele-
ment of the public, and In this move
mcnt the Chamber of Commerce Of
the United States will. therefore. be
led, necessarily, to play a large mart