Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-09
TO GIVE EVERY PERSON
CHANCE TO DO HIS BIT
Committee Formed fer Purpose Of
HarmOnizing Efforts OF Patri-
Otto Organizations.
PLANS APPROVED BY BAKER
Those Who Wish to Pledge Services
in Any Capacity to BE Given OPP
portunity OF Organizing Into Well
Co-Ordinatcd Bodies.
IRv Associa,cl prcs..I

WASHINGTON. April S-All men and
women who want TO do their bit for the
country in the war with Germany with
out cnliStinE in the regular military
or naval forces are given opportunity
to enroll for service under u plan an
nounccd to-day with the approval of
the Secretary OF War The National
Commission of Patriotic and Defense
Societies acting as a clearing house for
twcnty-cisht. organizations. has been
designated as a Scmiofiicial agent OF
the government to coordinate the cf-
forts OF individuals as we'll as organi-
cations.
Wharton Pepper. of Philadelphia. and
with Lieut. enant-C Colonel q. B. NJ. YOUNG
us its honorary chairman, in announc-
ing the plan. says:
This committee. which was formed
for the express purpose of harmon
izinE the efforts Of patriotic orEaui-
zations. has fel, justified In under
taking to formulate plans under which
those who wish TO pledge their SER
vices to the country in any capacity.
military or civil. may organize them
selves into we'll co-ordinated body.
we all want TO do our bit. But il
we flood the government with promiS-
cuous offers TO volunteer other than
in the regular army or seek to organ
ize companies and regiments I'm ways
which do not ut in with the War Dc
par,mcnts plan, we are likely TO prove
Core troublesome than useful.
I'VE ought to he able to organize
and coordinate our efforts to help the
government: subjuGatinE our personal
desires for distinguished opportunity
for service to the needs Of the organ
lied whole"
WAR DEPARTMENTS VIEW
OF VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
Approving the plan and giving the
attitude OF the War Department to-
ward volunteer organizations in gen
eral. Secretary Baker said:
The administration bill provides for
recruiting the regular army to it's full
strength through volunteers. II il be-
comes law, think the first effort Of
patriotic organizations OF citizens
might we'll be devoted to stimulating
recruiting.
In providing for future incremsnts
10 the army from men between nine
teen and twenty-five years cid. we are
not unhcedful OF the great mass OF
patriotic men above the age OF TWEEN
'y-tive, nor Of the women. who are
eager to serve the country in it's enor-
gcncy. Everywhere. movements 10
form various sorts OF volunteer or
CARNATIONS are under way The time
may come when the services of such
citizens will prove invaluable. In posi-
necessary to the conduct and equip
men, OF large army, use may be found
iot many of them. AS military re-
serve. an organization of men who by
reason OF age. otherwise are no;
Immediately needed. pledged to answer
amy call to service. will prove OF great
moral value. even H. as is to be hoped.
no emergency ever makes their actual
call TO arms necessity.
The National Committee of Patri.
otto and Defense Societies is formu-
Eating with my hearty approval. plans
TO unity and encourage these MANI
volunteer efforts. 1t would he a great
reiiet IT all offers TO serve, other than
by joining the regularly constituted
army. might he ultimately presented
TO the department in some CO ord ina ted
way through a common channel
URGES COOPERATION
~ OFFER OF SERVICE
81 would suggest TO all individuals
and groups who arc engaged In or con
tcmplatinG the formation of volunteer.
orga MIA ions for national service that
IL would simplify the problem of THIS
department. IL they would cooperate
with the National Committee of Pa
triotic and Defense Societies in hnding
way for those who wish To pledge
their services TO the country 20 or
Eanize themselves so that they can
present their offer I'm the manner NOS,
likely TO he available and OF real help
TO the government"
The officers of the committee be-
sides General Young ard MIR Pepper
arc the following: wee chairman. C. c.
Moore. san Francisco: Charles Frank
lin tnrtiss, Amcs. Iowa; William II
/ towles, Spokane, Wash: executive sec
rotary. William Mather Lewis Wash
inEton. -. G.