The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-08-16
ORGANIZED PLAN
OF HOME DEFENSE
Cumberland County System Is
Expected to Commend
Itself Generally
FOR RAPID CONCENTRATION
The Distribution Of PIatoons and Sec
tions Of PIatoons Will Thoroughly
| Cover the County Areas-Equip-
ment Of Members--Rapid Work.
Harrisburg.

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Adequate protection at home while
national and State troops are in
France by means OF easily mobilized
units OF Home Defense Guards will
be given, following the start Of organi-
ration work by the Pennsylvania Pub
lic Safety Committee along plan
evolved by the Cumberland County
branch.
Gov. Brumbaugh's signature on July
l18 to the act creating the force has
given the necessary legal authority
and plans for complete enrolment have
been formulated by Major John C..
Groome, director OF the department
cumberland County is organizing
under Capt. d. E. Brindle a home de-
fense system which will serve as the
model for the extension Of the servics
to all counties.
The plan provides that the Home
Defense Police of each county shall
consist OF headquarters and platoon
system, the platoons being strategi-
cally located for rapid concentration
of their component units. The distri-
button OF platoons and sections OF
platoons will thoroughly cover the
county areas. Each member OF the
force will be assigned to the platoon
section nearest his residence. All
'platoons In each county will work
under the direction of the county Off
Ger at headquarters. Chiefs OF police
will have command in cities of the
first class, and township commission
ers will command in townships of the
first class. Authorized officials will
command elsewhere. The system now
being put into effect applies only to
counties. A variation Of the system
will be made effective in the larger
cities.
In cases of trouble requiring mobili-
cation OF one or more platoons head
quarters will notify platoon command
ers of the number of men needed, the
time and place OF mobilization, and
other details. The platoon officers will
then pass the word to their men. AS
far as possible the enrolment will in
clude owners Of motor vehicles who
will provide emergency transportation.
Local disturbances will be handled at
the discretion Of the local units.
Primarily the duties of the force will
~ IN oepict lnno1 authorities in the
preservation of order in the vicinity Of
their homes and to protect life and
property from the destruction attend
ing internal disorders in war time
Men between the ages Of twenty-one
and sixty years, ineligible by reason Of
age or dependent for serrice in the
military or naval forces, may enroll,
provided they are citizens and resi-
dents Of the State, in good health and
of good habits.
Special care is to be exercised in the
selection OF platoon officers, the pref
erence being for mature men who have
had military. naval or police expert
ence. They are to be chosen for abil-
ity to command rather than ho"arse Of
personal popularity. Regular enroll
ment in writing is required, and the
Endorsement of the county chairman
of the local public safety committee
and the approval of the director of the
department are necessary before ap-
plications are submitted to the Gov
ernor for appointment.
Equipment will consist Of special
badge bearing the county name and
members number; blue and white
arm-band showing the State coat OF
arms for display on the left arm while
the wearer is on active duty; whistle
and police billie The badge is
to be worn visibly on the left breast
during the service call, but at other
times is TO be worn under the coat.
This will give members authority at
all times to make arrests should occa'
sion arise, and will place at the States
disposal an auxiliary police reserve.
Competent drillmasters will give
military instruction and drill the units
a. ..io. era opd othar no1ina dutiaa