Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-10-21
HOME GUARDS ID BE MUSTERED IN
 MONDAY NldnT
Fifty Five Men Enroll for Service in Pine Bluff
 Command.

Fifty-five men had enrolled ap to last night in the Jefferson Home guards. which is to be mustered into the state service as an organization at ihe drill at Athletic field tomor- row night. The officers of the c0m- n,and earnestly request that all mem bers be present at the meeting to take the cath of allegiance, and re- ceiye instruction in the manual of arms. Members owning sh0tguns or rifles are requested 10 bring the pieces for use in the drill. They should not be loaded.
 Capt. Harold Bluthenthai and Lieu tenants Peck and Harrison. and other members of the guards have worked hard to praDide an organiza- tion with which to afford protection to the property and lives of the peo- ple of this city and county, and 1t Is expected that with the command on an official footing it will receive the support it deserves from the people of this. city.
 The Homo Guards.
 With the military units out of the state. fighting in France. or training in camps, the attention of the people of Arkansas. who are interested in the maintenance of law and order will be turned toward the organization of some other effective means of defense at home The need might never arise, and again the emergency might come upon us at any moment.
 To meet this requirement, 8 plan was devised for on effective organiza- ton of the home guard, in which the men of the whole state who are not eligible to military service may be enlisted.
 Governor Brough has authorized the organizat ton under the military laws of the state. and regulations have been devised by Adjutant-Gener- al England which places them upon a recognized status of authority and power.
 Men are eligible for the home guard who are citizens of good moral char scter and physically fit. between the ages of 16 and 3, who may volunteer for such service. There are 10 pc two classes. Class A will consist of citizens enrolled between the ages of IS and 45. and Class B between the cges of 16 and IS. and 45 and GA. The written consent of parents or guardian will be rHluired fdf the en- rolln,cnt of minors. k@e.s,fa a4
 A home guard company shall con- sist of: One captain. one first lieu tenant. one second lieutenant, one first sergeant, one mess sergeant one supply sergeant, four sergeants six corporals, one mechanic, two cooks, two buglers, and not less than SC n-ivates.
 The members of the guard are re- auired to take the following oath l which. it will be observed, does not bind them to service outside the state of Arkansas:
 Oath of Guardsmen. I do solemnly swear that vii 1 bear true faith and allegiance to tht ! United States of America and tht
 State of Arkansas; that I will serve them honestly and faithfully agains ! all their enemies whomsoever, ant {, that l will obey the orders of tht
 governor of the State of Arkansas ant 1 the officers appointed over me ant faithfully perform my duties as sol i dier in the home guard, according tt 1 the laws and regulations governing
 such military forces of the state O.
 Arkansas"
 ! The war department has ordered /, that the home guard must not wea1 a uniform that can be mistaken fol , that of any regulation uniform in tho regular branches of the service. person wearing regular uniform 1 without authority is subject to prose cution. The government cannot furn' ,ish arms to the home guard com ! panies. but it is recommended that they arm themselves with shot-guns and provide such uniforms as they may desire. 1t is provided that the uniforms shall be of field gray col or. which is about the color of slate The regulations provide in detail for every feature of the uniform and equipment, and will ne furnished all companies that have been or may be organized.
 Each member of the guard must submit to a ''cursory examination by a physician who should certify that he is physically fit to perforla his duties as a member of the home guard"
 Blanks arc also provided for a complete service record of each mem her. showing the hours of drill, the number of days present, the tines absent with and without leave. In fact. it is the purpose to put this semi-military organization on as near. ly a military footing as conditions will permit, so that they may be in condition for actual service should disorders at home call for more as-