Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-19
GEN. HARVEY APPEALS
FOR MILITIA RECRUITS
Points Out Advantages for Those
Who Volunteer Now-Addresses
Military Service Legion.

Brig. Gen. William E. Harvey, COM
manding the National Guard of the
District of Columbia. in an address be-
fore the members Of the Military Serv-
ice Legion of the District of Columbia.
at the National Guard Armory last
night. pointed out the Importance of
filing up the recently depleted militia
ranks to full war strength, in order
that it will be unnecessary to resort to
drafting.
Gen. Harvey advocated an active re-
cruiting campaign for volunteers 10
take the places of married men who
have been discharged by order OF the
War Department Congress. he said. is
now debating the question of universal
military training and volunteers TOT
the service. 1t is important that TINS
work be carried on in q thorough man
line Of defense. Every endeavor. he
continued. is being made to bring the
regular army and the National Guard
of the country to full war strength,
and the work here in the District neeus
the backing of every man.
Advantage of Comradeship.
"It pays a young man to be identified
with an organization from his home
town." said Gen. Harvey. There Is
comradeship which comes from home
organization which wouldn't come
from other organizations. We shouio
unnecessary to have a draft in the DIS
trict of Columbia. The present time rs
an excellent one for young men 70
enlist. The chances are greater ior al
vancement in the first line with
volunteer force.
N tho District GuaIO
have already taken. examinations ana
been appointed second lieutenants IN
the coast artillery; Troop A. which was
recently organized, has thirty mem
bers who have passed examinations ~
officers in the reserve corps. while one
member Of the District Naval Militia
has passed a board for the Aeronautical
Corps and Is now on duty at Pensa-
cola, Fla II young men start in the
National Guard now they will have az
good chances as those enlisting in any
other part of the country here Is
great opportunity to show the country
the kind of people we have here IN
the District of Columbia"
Legion to Drill.
The meeting was called to order by
Col R. D. Simms, president OF the
legion, with Ensign Howard s. Fisk
as secretary. The legion will start
drilling Tuesday evening at the armory
and will continue each week until FUR
Their notice. Alternating with the drills
will be rifle practice, also in the armory
on L street The drills will be held IN
Convention Hall. and citizens desiring
to participate are invited by the legion
to be present.
Col Simms announced that he hao
attended meetings of the Home De
Tense League, and. after outlining the
plan, stated that he thought the legion
as a body should cooperate with the
District authorities On motion OF
Stirling Kerr, jr., a resolution was
unanimously adopted offering the serv.
ices of the legion in a body to the
District Commissioners, feeling that II
could be of greater assistance as ar
organization than as individuals
The legion has already offered tht
services of it's members to assist civic
or military organizations in drilling
and the use of rifles. 1t was announced
that Lieut.. J. E. Eldridge was now
drilling the citizens' Organization al
Col Clarence v. Saver was appointed
chairman, with Capt. E. w. Zea, Capt
Edward H Grove. Sergt. George f
McAvoy and Harry E. Gladman to star
recruiting campaign for the guard.
The following were elected to mem.
bership in the legion: DR.. Benjamin G
Pool, Capt Samuel Feland, Private c. T
Jesse. Sergt F. A. Cusick, Lieut.. r. c. L
Moncure, Lieut.. Wrisley Brown, Sergt
Mai. T. F. Wasgatt, Private L. B. Bur.
dett, Lieut.. Marshall J. Smith, SerRt
Fred H Chafin and Sergt Edward II
Magruder.