Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-06
HOME GUARD COMPANIES
IN EVERY PART OF State.
Governor Stuart Expresses Desire to
Have Troop In Each
County.
READY WHEN GUARD DEPARTS
Otherwise, People OF Rural Districts
and Valuable Properties Useful to
Country in War Times Would 30
Left Cndcfcnded.

Plans for organizing in every county
OF Virginia military organizations
] which will take the place of the Ma
| tional Guard for defense purposes will
be discussed to-day by the executive
committee of the Council of Defense
which has been assured of tho APP.
prevail of the Governor. and Of his
authority to create such bodies in time
of emergency.
Congress now has under considcra-
ton measure. some features Of
which were suggested by Governor
stuart which will give to these organ
izations, not only tho sanction Of tn"
Federal government, but its material
support in furnishing guns and all
nccessar! equipment for maintenance
and exercise Of authority. The uow
| organizations will he able TO face all
responsibilities which now rest upon
the National Guard
The fun text Of Governors Stuart'a
letter TO tho council. in reply !" the
resolution passed by i, on Monday.
follows:
u am in receipt Of tho resolution
/ passed by your honorable body on tins
| DAY. expressing the opinion that steps
! should be taken TO organize ~ far As
possible in tho several counties Of tho
State defense organizations TO take the
place OF the National Guard etc. and
further asking the approval Of the
I
on tho part nf the council. through a
committee of three members thereof
10 present a plan At tho mex, meeting
oil the council Ia carry out the pur-
poses of tho resolution
PURPOSE TO ORGANIZE
TROOP IN EVERY COUNTY
I'm reply beg to sueees, that there
rs already authority with the Cover
nor To organize troops for amy needed
purpose. and through tins authority il
rs the purpose OF the Governor 10 pro-
cccd as soon As possible. to tho organ
ration Of troops in every county in
the State. and in such cities as may
be in need of them. To The End ,ha!
the troops 50 organized may secure
nc benefit of Federal organization. for
the purpose, at least OF drawing from
the War Department guns and othe:
equipment. bill is. now pending in
congress. some provisions Of which
were suggested by me, 10 cover this
matter of home defense AT least 10 =
very large extent. practically. might
say. to meet the urgent needs Of the
counties
Il am OF IN" opinion. however. that
some very useful work can he done
locally in cities and towns whore Tho
members of tho companies would he
easily accessible to any call ilia, mi- ht
l." mad" upon them. and there would
ne no objection 10 tho proceeding at
one" to organize these councils i'm III.
towns and cities. | would suggest fur.
! th"r that tho council could he useful
IN working out some Of tho details Of
the plan OF organization under the act
OF Congress. and shall be most hapn,.
I" accept their good offer IN this mat
ter
Inc matter OF organizing these com
phnics for service after the regular
troops have been withdrawn for field
SERVE" MAS brought to tho attention
OF II" council by - Lawrence Groner.
OF Norfolk. one of its members and is
considered Of prime importance The
committee. which Will consider il to-
DAY IN its every aspect Is composed
81 Richard Evelyn Byrd. chairman:
James .. Winston, Or. rnnion O. Vii
Hams and Il. Walton Moore /, &c nor
hkclN mat MIR Moore viii t.. able To
attend the meeting. but tho others are