Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-01
D. c. DRAFTE MEN
DRILL FOR PARADE
Seven Hundred Given lnstruc-
ton by Officers at Con-
vention Hall.
PLANS FOR TUESDAY EVENT


District of Columbia in the new Ma
| tional Army received their first in
struction last night at the military
assembly in Convention Hail. under the
auspices of the Military Service Legion
of the District of Columbia over 700
of the drafted men responded to the
invitation extended by the legion to
participate in the drill preparatory to
the parade next Tuesday afternoon.
At : o'clock the call was sounded to
line up for instruction The men re-
ported to the district In which they
were drafted. numbers having been
placarded around the hall to facilitate
matters last night. As each division
was lined up they were faced in pla-
toon formation sixteen files front. fac
ing the north end of the hall This
formation followed an hours instruc-
tion in foot movements. in which expe-
rienced officers OF the Military Service
Legion were the instructors. Several
instructors were assigned to EACH divi-
sion and the various units marched
about in sections OF the hall.
Those who had received previous milf
tary training or instruction were
,laced in command Of squads and in
this way the men were whipped into
shape in rapid fire order. For the past
two months the legion has been drill
ing a number of the drafted men with
the idea in view of assisting them TO be
non commission officers. Many took
advantage of this offer of instruction.
with the result that last night they
rendered valuable assistance when they
were given command of squads of the
new men on their arrival in the hall
Plans Outlined by Col. Simms.
At 9 o'clock the various divisions
were lined up in platoon formation, with
the instructors and several of the ex-
perienced drafted men in command
Col Richard y. Simms. president OF the
Military Service Legion, then assumed
nd of he
and instructed the men as to their du
ties during the parade next Tuesday.
He told them of the formation in the
parade and that officers Of the Military
Service Legion would march with them
and assist in perfecting the formation In
each division. which is to be commanded
by the draft board representing the
same division. The part to be taken by
the legion Instructors IL merely LOT
the purpose OF helping the drafted men
TO make an excellent showing Tne ie
gion is TO act as the official escort on
that occasion.
After Col Simms had concluded his
remarks the men were marched around
the spacious drill hall in company for
nation the instruction in turning be-
ing featured in this formation. In the
parade Tuesday only the officer IN com
mand of each division will salute Presi-
dent Wilson when passing the review
ing stand.
The men will pay strict attention to
the lineup and at the command viii
face the President and after passing in
review will face to the front again.
Particular stress was laid upon this
feature IN order that the men make the
best possible showing. The guide
throughout the parade will be left and
the formation sixteen files front
Members of Boards Present.
A large number OF the members of
the various exemption boards were
present last night. together with OH
cials who have been working in con-
nection with the formation of the unit
to represent the National Capital Gen.
William E. Harvey. Capt. Andrew Par
ker. Daniel Donovan, secretary of the
board of District Commissioners; Will
liam F. Guide. chairman of the commit
tee in charge of the parade Tuesday:
Retail Merchants Association; W. T.
Galliher. representing the Washington
Board of Trade; W. V. Cox, former
president of the Board of Trade; Mer-
rift o. Chance, Morris Hacker and
George S. Wilson of the draft board
were among them
During intermiSsion in the drill
ing Col. Sims delivered a brief address
to the men from the temporary review
ing stand on the west side of the hall.
He introduced William F. GUIDE. who
complimented the men on the excellent
showing which they made the result
OF Jhelr HrSt instruction IN military
maneuvers. He urged the men to make
a good showing and impressed upon
them the fact that they were repre-
senting the National Capital in the
new Army, and were the first to be in
the field Mr.. GUIDE was followed by
w. T. Galliher. who referred to the
fact that four of his family had been
drafted for the cause, and said that the
men should do everything possible to
bring success TO the Stars and Stripes.
He said that the American flag had
never gone down in defeat, and that
the United States was sure to come
out victorious in the present conflict
Applause greeted each of the speakers.
after which the men We're marched
around the hall several times, and al 10
O'Clock were dismissed. with orders to
report Tuesday afternoon next at 2
O'Clock sharp. in order to line up for
the big parade up Pennsylvania avenue
The Military Service Legion will also
march in a body on that occasion. with
Col. r. D. Simms at the head.