The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
RECRUITING OF U. 5.
 GUARDS WILL NOW
 BEGIN IN THE STATE
Alabama Military Depart ment Receives Instructions
 As to Requirements

Montgomery, December 30-(Special) Men between 31 and 40 are desired to the United States guards, national army, now being organized for the guarding of military property and transportation information received by the state mili- tary department from the chief of the militia bureau Saturday. Men beyond 40 who are especially well preserved may enlist in the force, minor defects may be waived and dependency is no bar to enlistment
 The information promised that if pos sibie all men would be used near their homes but stated that the exigencies of war may demand their presence else where. However. all were assured that those who enter this force will not be used CT the battlefields of Europe
 Any United States recruiting officer may receive applications for enlistment Maj. G. J. Hubbard, head of the state military department, emphasized that his ctf.ce does not handle enlistments.
 Persons who desire commissions in this branch may apply to the chief of the militia bureau, Washington. but the in formation stated that no man should apply unless he had had previous mili- tary training as there will be no train ing of this branch when organized. Other classes who cannot obtain commissions and who are requested not to apply are; Civilians within draft age unless re- jected for physical defect at the close of training camp where they had f1r n c,ta tlo1- spects; candidates from training camps who were not recommended by their company instructors for commissions.
 Pay and allowances of the force viii be the same as allowed in the infantry branch of the regular army.
 ADDITIONAL PARDONS
 Names of seven additional convicts who were granted their liberty December 24 as a Christmas gift from the state. were made public by the executive de- partment Saturday. The convicts were released December A. but formal paroles were not issued until Saturday. They follow: Anderson Lewis, Perry man slaughter, 10 years, 1913; Sam BoykLn, Randolph, IS months. burglary, 1917; Ol- iver Davis, Jefferson, murder, life, 1911; Jack Ogden, Tuscaloosa, manslaughter, 10 years, 1916; Crawford Reese, Barbour, burglary, 10 years. 1908; Henry Allen, Mo bile burglary, six years, 1913; John Poore, Cleburne, burglary and grand lar ceny, five years. 1914.
 SELMA LIGHT SITUATION
 Declaring that the Selma Lighting com pany had announced that it would be unable to continue in operation, Leo M. Leva, city attorney of Selma, Saturday asked the public service commission If 1t had any authority to take over the plant and operate it for the interests of the public. He was informed by long dis tance telephone that the commission had no authority to absorb a public service corporation.
 The lighting company asked the Selma authorities flor permission to make changes in it's rates but the Selma coun- ell decided to require 1t to carry out it's contracts. MT. Leva said the company has admitted it's insolvency and an nourced that it probably would be unable to operate much longer, and informed the commission that the situation in Selma was critical.
 MnPTI n pETVTInN PEEITCEn