The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-08-23

councils in rural districts, while may.
Ors of cities net In the urban centers.
In Greater New York the mayor has
selected a home defense committee
called the mayors committee on ma
tional defense, which is composed Of
several subcommittee. The number
OF the latter will be increased from
time to time, but all work that is done
Is under the general supervision of the
adjutant general. Committees on n.
cruiting have worked long hours in
getting the regular army quota and
men without dependents into National
Guard regiments. The committee on
aliens. too. has accomplished excellent
results In keeping in employment sub.
jects of the enemy countries.
In New York state there have been
formed also in every county commit
tees consisting Of representatives Of
patriotic societies that act rs clearing
houses for the redistribution Of funds
and assistance necessary.
Recruiting Going Forward.
Regarding recruiting, 1t has been dis.
covered that greater progress has
been made in getting men to volunta-
rilv join the cOlors than newspapers
generally concede. Military men who
have studied the problem state that as
many as can he expected are coming
forward. Too much emphasis cannot
he laid upon this activity at the pres
ent time, 1t is said, however. Reports
from some states are meager and in
some instances discOuraging. Some of
the governors have been very active in
bringing home to young men the rea-
sons why they should respond to the
call Of tho country and showing them,
by proclamations. by speeches and pic
lures. the necessity for responding to
a call to arms.
The full quota for the expanded reg
ular army has not been reached, and
many more recruits can be taken,
Therefore it is urged that all local
councils of defense concentrate efforts
upon this work. The first-line men Of
the regular army. the navy and Ma
tiOnal Guard should be volunteers, 1t
is said. Therefore the comparatively
few thousands still needed, as COM
pared with the immense population Of
the nation and the great armies Of
drafted men who will be called into
training soon. should he easily OBJ
tanned. That is, if young men have It
properly explained to them why they
should enlist.
Merchant seamen Sought.
Naval classes are being organized in
several states and encouragement Civ.
on young men to attend nautical
schools, so as to he the better prepared
to take their places on the fast grow
ing merchant fleet of the United States.
Illinois and Massachusetts report ex.
cellent progress in such branches Of
the national service. So popular is the
study in Chicago that a night school
has been opened. Glasses are organ
lied into crews and given training in
navigation. gunnery. signaling, radio
marine engines and first aid. The Chi
cago Yacht club will provide means for
practical work on Lake Michigan this
summer for hundreds of such crews.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island
have gone further than some Of the
others and prepared for possible,
though very improbable, eventualities.
Those states-and it is reported others
are now falling in line-have listed
and enrolled automobiles and auto
trucks that can be called upon for i'm
mediate service in rushing men from
one part of the state to another IT,
railroads should for any reason be put
out Of commission and it he found i'm
perative to transport troops and sup
plies In record time.
Rhode Island has undertaken also
to keep its state and municipal employ
ees on the pay roll while in the mill
tary service. New Hampshire and
Michigan have passed statutes to pro-
vide for the dependents Of soldiers and
sailors, and in New Hampshire plan
has been adopted for conserving the
practice Of physicians and dentists who
inter- military service.