Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-30
.R|CHMOND'S CONTINGENT
TO TRAVEL BY MOTOR CAR
First 5 Per Cent Of Drafted Men
Will BE Officially Escorted
to Camp Lee.
MANY CARS ALREADY OFFERED
Governor and Mayor Invited to Par
ticipnte in Demonstration for First
Men of New National Army to Go
From This City.


Practically all details in the plan
for the transportation OF Richmond's
first quota of men for the new national
army to Camp Lee on September have
been worked out, it was announced
yesterday. following conference of
officials of the five exemption boards
of tho city with officers of the Rich
mond Automobile Club. The men from
this city and from Hcnrico County will
probably be assembled in the Capitol
square. from where they will be moved
TO the Cantonment In automobiles, with
the procession headed by Governor
Stuart, Mayor Ainslie and other State,
city and county officers and members
OF the exemption boards and tho auto
mobile club.
Richmond's plan to use automobiles
for this purpose is believed to the first
undertaken in the United States. and
automobile men last night expressed
the belief that similar plans could be
advantageously worked out in many
other cities of the country. The action
OF the automobile men in Offering the
use of their cars for the purpose is
entirely voluntary, but was taken after
L full consideration of the many benc-
fits to be derived from such course
GIVES OPPORTUNITY
TO INSPECT TURNPIKE
Not the least Of the factors that led
to the adoption of the automobile as
the means of transportation between
Richmond and Camp Lee Is the OPP
portunity given city and State officials
to view the condition Of the Peters
burg Turnpike, the movement to I'M
prove which has gained considerable
Roadway. Members OF the club are
making every effort to assist those en-
deavorinE to secure the Improvement
of this thoroughfare, and are doing
everything within their power to see
that the project is carried out.
According to the general plans for
the movement outlined last night, the
first per cent of the men selected
TO serve In the new Amy from Rich
mond and Henrico County will be as
scmblcd in the Capitol Square wednes-
day morning at an hour TO be desig-
mated Automobiles will be awaiting
them. and the procession will travel
directly TO the camp. Governor Stuart
mas not stated definitely that he would
head the line. but lie is known to be
nearliiE IN favor of the plan. and is ex-
pected to take part.
The automobile club Yesterday
opened It's books for the registration
OF volunteers having automobiles
which they will place at the disposal
ot the special committee having the
listed. Automobiles desire to show
their appreciation of the sacrifices the
grated men will undergo in order IN
serve their country. and at the same
,ime TO relieve, in a measure, the han
uicap under which the Federal govern
of troops.
"fEAT CROWD ENPECTED
TO BID MEN FAREWELL
u hot
VIII throng the grounds of the SQUARE
TO give farewell to the men called
to the colors
ihysical examinations were comnlet
ca oy the examining physician in Diyi-
SION NO yesterday. when seventy-fye
men passed the physical tests AL
'housh this board has not secured its
quota OF men for the first selective
araft, II. w. Ellcrson, chairman of tho
board. is confident that there Will he
no more summonsed for examination
ana that the full quota OF 1888 men will
be secured from those examined yes
tcrday, and from n number of elaine
that are pending.
Although physical examinationx-NSva
becn completed by practically every di
vision board in the city, the clerks are
not sitting idle by any means. for thew
are working far into the night check
ing up exemption claims. The time
passed. and some definite news in re-
gard to the claims that have been al
lowed and those that have been de-
MED is expected to be Forthcoming in
the next few days.
Plans for entertaining the selected
men in Division No. 1 are progressing,
and arrangements are now being made
10 get speakers for the occasion The
entertainment will be held on Chin
oorazo Park on next Tuesday night All
or the white men selected to serve in
the first quota of men from this djvi
SION VIII be invited to attend meet
ing OF the committee that is looking
after the financial end of the enter
tainment was held last night in the
Church Hill Bank and report of the
progress made so far was satisfactory.
and everything promises to turn out
nicely Tor the reception that is to be
given the soldiers
The white and colored men from this
division held their usual drill last night
ana enthusiasm is still running high
among the men.