The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-14
TROOP OF CAVALRY ID BE ORGANIZED BY LOCAL OFFICERS Major Steiner Has Author iZed the Formation of a
 Local Troop MEETING TONIGHT
 AT CITY DRILL HALL Several Troops Have Already Been Organized and Indications Are That Required Number of
 Men Will Be Secured

Active steps looking toward the immed-
 fate organization of a troop of cavalry
 in Birmingham to be a part of the resl-
 ment which is being formed in this state
 by Mai R. E. Steiner, under direction of
 the war department, will be taken at meeting at the drill room in the city hall tonight at o'clock Several former of ficers of the Birmingham troop are in- terested in the movement, and it was at their instance that the meeting tonight was called. A number of members of Troop D, which was disbanded sometime ago will be present and an invitation has been extended all others who are Interested in the movement to attend the meeting tonight
 The call of the war department issued
 few days ago for the removal of all
 troops to the border at the earliest pos sible moment insures active service and
 training for the units of the Alabama
 troops now in the mobilization camp at
 Montgomery as well as for the cavalry
 regiment which is being formed It is ex-
 pected that this fact will greatly hasten IHC recruiting Ol tlic plOPOoOo iNSi'iiNAAN'
 and it is planned to have the 12 troops which will be required ready to offer to the service of the government within two weeks time.
 TROOPS ARE FORMED
 Troops for the regiment, which is to
 be commanded by Major Steiner as col onel have already been formed at Selma and Camden, and the Montgomery troops is now recruited up to the minimum
 requirement. Two troops are being formed now at Mobile, and one
 at each of the following points: Jasper, Huntsville. Anniston, Decatur, Troy and several other of the smaller cities of the state. Indications now are that possibly two organizations will be perfected in
 Birmingham. Major Steiner had ar ranged all his plans for the formation
 of the regiment some weeks ago and just as soon as the word was received from the government the enlisting of the necessary men began. He is in close touch with the efforts being made in various parts of the state, and is confident, ac- ! cording to information received in Blr- mingham yesterday, that he will be able to offer the required number of cavalry men to the government within two weeks One of the most pieasng features of the announcement from the war depart ment is the fact that the government has decided to furnish cavalry horses for all the officers and men, in addition to all the other equipment which will be neces- sary. This equipment as we'll as the horses will be kept in the possession
 ot each troop even after the active serV- ice on the border is concluded. An arm- ory will be built by the government for each of the troops over the state, and man from the regular army will be detailed to each to look after the horses and to take charge of the armory.
 | It is pointed out that the failure of | the government to provide cavalry4Aorses I for the various troops of cavaffy in | the National Guard in the past has kept | that branch of the service from being the proficient unit it otherwise would have | been. In the opinion of the officers of the state. this new departure by the war
 department will make the cavalry the
 most attractive branch of the service and to this fact is credited the ease with which the units seem likely to be formed. PLANS FOR RECRUITING
 | Charles Powell. local attorney. who
 was formerly a lieutenant in the cavalry troop here spent yesterday in Mont I
 Steiner and others interested in the formation of the regiment. Major | Steiner has advanced the plans for the recruiting to such a stage that he ex- pressed the opinion yesterday that he will be ready to offer the government
 at least 12 troops within two weeks, said Lieutenant Powell. Several cities have already reported to him that they had the required number of good mer and some of the others said they would | be ready within two or three days time | In fact, from the reports l saw in the office of Major Steiner I was convinced
 that this regiment would be ready in the
 time he specified.
 l "The fact that the government is tt
 furnish regular cavalry horses for al
 the men and officers which will be kept l by each troop even after active service
 is over will prove to be big thing fol | the service, The construction of ar
 armory will enable the various organiza'
 tlons to become very proficient.
 We will have a meeting in the drill
 hali of the armory at the city hall to- night at o'clock to take steps for thu
 organization of at least one local troop | and we have been assured of the CO l operation of a large number of men who were formerly connected with Troop D
 In addition. an invitation has been ex | tended to every one interested in tho movement to be present. and we expec
 to be able to report to Major tSeiner a
 with one or more troops"