The evening world., 1917-07-06
MAYOR mitchell
AND GEN. O'RYAN
FAVOR 'GUARDDAy'
High Civic and Military Off
cials Praise Evening Worlds
Parade Plan.
TO HELP RECRUITING.
Public Farewell Would
Make Soldiers Far More
Contented.

Major Cen. John +. Organ, COM
rnanding the National Guard forces
Of the State, to-day approved The
Evening Worlds plan for National
Guard Day for a public review Of the
troops before starting for war duty
lie declares that It would not only
Improve tho spirit Of the guardsmen
but would stimulate recruiting
throughout the State He favored
celebration OF the day in every village
and city where there is a National
Guard unit. no matter how small
''The Evening Worlds suggestion
not only meets my heartiest ap-
proval," said Gen. Organ, but It
appeals to my stan and to every mill
tary man who realizes the Importance
OF making cheerful and contented tie
soldiers who are to depart. Certainly
no man can be against It.
"I am in favor OF selecting day
after tho mobilization of our troops.
Tho best time would be two or three
days after mobilization. Then all men
would have their equipment and none
would be dragged from their civilian
positions and suffer loss OF time ami
pay.
more for the upkeep OF their militia
than many States combined. When
the men went TO the border there was
a great fareN ell. But the people have
not seen how the border experience
hardened the men and made them Ihe
finest state troops in the land.
when the troops came back last
fall and winter they were scattered
Many came in on cold days and hur-
rted to their armories after tedious
travel. No one saw them. They prac-
tically sneaked in. A National Guard
day throughout the State would be
f,ist the thing to give the men the
epirit and make those they leave al
home more cheerful and contented."
The General said he could see ro-
cruits swarming to the armories 70
1oin after a grand celebration. 1t was
HIS opinion that II weuld have fine
effect upon the work of selecting the
men who are to make up the new
national army.
There certainly cannot be any MILL
tary objection to tho plan" said Gen
O'Ryan, "slnce the celebration would
be held before the troops get theii
orders to leave the city. / Will do al
can TO make the day a big one in the
history OF our city and in the heart
OF our fighting men"
Mayor Mitchell. too, voiced his un
qualified approval Of the plan. Il an
for it," he said, from start to finish
N Is a good thing and l shall Dc
everything within my power TO mak'
It a success. l had been wonderin'
-Shat the people were going TO do to
ward saying farewell TO the guards
men. l am in favor of parade ant
reception or anything that VIII max
the celebration live long in the memo
I'ies Of the boys we are sending away.
President Frank Dowling OF tn
Board OF Aldermen, who was tho frs
30 give official recognition 20 The Eve
ming Worlds suggestion by intro
ducing resolution approving tn
plan, said that II the city could affor,
so spend money receiving foreign en-
Voys II certainly could afford 10 ar
range a fitting farewell for It's owI
soldiers.
'-These boys who are going ava
soon are the best we haNe--the pick @
the country's finest" Mr.. Dowlin
said. II cannot see any good /
sneaking them out of the city whe
they are going to camps whose loca
Iions are known in advance. | want {
make National Guard day bigger tina
any other we have ever observed /
this city. When New York sends II
own troops to fight in this great wa
can any one imagine n greater occH
sion than their departure2 | cannot.