The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-02
PROVOST GUARD TO AID
PETERSBURG POLICE
Force of Sixty Men Under Major Eby
VIII Probably Be Put on
Duty Tuesday.
COMPLETING CAMP LEE
Thousands of Worknscn Leaving For
Other Cnntonments In order to
Push Work on Thern---N. Il w. May
Improve Train Service.

Petersburg, Va. Sept MAJOR
Eby, who Will command the provost
~-ard to he established here. follow
ing d consultation with Mayor Gillian
and Chief OF Police Brockwell yes
terday, announced thar 81 force of
sixty men would probably be put on
duty as early as Tuesday next
Mayor Gillian, Chief Brockwell and
other city officials who have discussed
the matter with Major Eby, regard
the coming of the provost guard as
desirable aid 20 the local authorities
in procuring Law enforcement and
keeping order.
Major Ely had chAge OF the mill
tary police in Ell Paso, Eek, where
$4,000 soldiers were stationed. He
has had extensive army service in
many states OF the union ana In the
Philippines, Local authorities have
been -faToFably impressed with Ma
ior Ely and he has been likewise IA.
vorably impressed with the Peters
burg officers
Establishment OF provost guard
Is an unvaryfng custom where army
posts are located and cooperation be.
tween local authorities and the pro-
vost guard invariably result IN grea,
pCicill 10 ZIG II @Ouiu
entail an immense burden on tbs To-
cal government and besides results
are more easily obtained through the
cooperation of the military and civil
authorities.
Major Ely will open an office near
police headquarters and provide quar-
ters in the city for his men. He will
probably have a patrol wagon sep
arate and distinct from the police pa
troll.
Work Nearing Completion.
Work of constructing Camp Lee Is
rapidly nearing completion and Ma
ior Coe will within few days be-
gin enlisting men in an engineer con.
struction regim eht, Major Coe
stated last night that he had been
surprised at the interest manifested
in the formation of the regiment BY
the laboring classes. Il have been
approached by many workmen who
have asked for information concern.
Ing the plan to organize such q regi-
ment. Many have expressed desire
to enlist. provided, OF course. that the
regiment is to be sent to France for
service"
Between two and three Thousand
workmen have left Camp Lee FOL
Camp Meade. Annapolis Junction
Nd and others Will leave within q
day or two TO aid in rushing the work
at the Maryland camp.
Talk OF enlarging Camp Lee SO a:
to accommodate a secofd division
continues. An officer at the camI
stated last night that 1t would not
be a surprise to receive definite in
structions to this effect at any hour
To Improve Traffic Service,
1t was stated today. upon what |:
considered reliable authority. tha'
the Norfolk and Western Railway
company would maintain a thirt,
minute schedule between Petersburg
and Camp Lee after the arrival o
the soldiers. According to plans nov
| being considered, passenger train:
will leave the Union station every
thirty minutes. going down the mar
line to Poe and making a looT
through the camp, returning via tht
CITY Point branch.
Secretary Martin OF the chamber
Of commerce has tale the matter
up with the railway officials and 1;
urging that such a schedule be car,
ried out. w. G. Saunders. genera
passenger agent for the Norfolk and
Western, will visit Petersburg and &c
over the proposed plans with Sec.
rotary Martin early during the com.
ing week.