The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-05
WANT BOYS HOME
Frank FARRELL Leads Move for
Return of Battery A.
Asks Friends and Parents to
Write Governor Capper.
OFFICERS ANXIOUS To STAY
Big Salaries Appeal to only
Few of Battery.
May Form Organization to Re-
lease the TOpekanS.
OFFICERS ANXIOUS TO STAY

There il a movement on foot to ask
Governor Capper to use his influence
with the war department to have Bat
terry A. Kansas field artillery released
from duty on the Mexican border IN
time for the Topeka soldiers to be
home by January 1. Parents and
friends of privates in the battery are
backing the movement.
A public meet was suggested, but
those who favored that method OF eX-
pressing their views have been con-
verted to the plan of making appeal
direct to the governor.
At the suggestion of several parents
whose sons are at Eagle Pass, ]. F.
farrell, publicity agent of the santa
Fe railroad, conferred with Governor
Capper on the subject last night The
governor stated that he would be
pleased to consider the wishes of those
interested in the return of the bat
terry, but was careful not to say that
he would go so far as to make repre-
sensations to the war department.
meanwhile" the governor said, 81
will ascertain what General Martin
and other national guard officers think
about it."
ut is my understanding" farrell
replied, that you are as much the
governor of the 100 or more private
soldiers in the battery, who are work
as you are of the officers, who draw
real money"
Your understanding is correct" the
governor answered, land I will give
full consideration of the claims of the
battery boys. and of their parents"
Write to Governor.
farrell said that he objected to 4
public meeting ION account of the
danger of the lid blowing off" To
his way of thinking, nothing would be
gained by making a fuss, but he
thought it would be a good scheme
for parents and friends of the battery
boys to write to the governor on the
subject.
Personally, I would like to have
the battery home" FARRELL said ''Sev-
eral of the boys, mine among them,
have lost valuable time in school, but
if they can be released by January 1,
they will. in most cases. be protected.
Others have jobs waiting for them,
but these positions will not be held
open indefinitely. The soldiers, of
course, are making no representations;
they can't. The officers who are
trained for war, and who get good
salaries. naturally want to stay in the
service. But the parents. who are
more deeply interested in the welfare
of the boys than is the United States
government, or any officer, want them
home. l have reason to believe that
Governor Capper is willing at least to
advise the war department of the
attitude of those who have interested
themselves in the matter. Parents of
several battery boys have said that
they would communicate with the
governor and give him their views,
and possibly a petition will be circu-
lated.
IF the country were in danger of
invasion by MeXicans," FARRELL added
Il, for one, would not think of asking
for the return of the guardsmen. But
there is no war, and it seems that
there is no Immediate danger of war
We have been kept out of war
Therefore, I regard it as a great in
justice to keep in border service bows
who ought to be home preparing
themselves for the real duties of life.
have Investigated conditions at Eagle
Pass, and in fairness to the officers
of Battery A, will say that the boys
have been well treated, and no com
plant rests on that score"
Parents and other relatives of Bat
terry A boys who are interested in the
movement for the return of the bat
terry, are requested to call Mrs N A.
Anderson. telephone $40. and give
their names and addresses for the
purpose of forming an organization.
if necessary