Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-22
WANT ADEQUATE DEFENSE
WHEN TROOPS ARE MOVED.
Move to- Form Home Guard Com
panies Is Given Great -
Impetus.
EQUIPMENT TO BE FURNISHED
Governor Stuart Will Issue State
ment Shortly Looking TO Uniform.
ity and Coordination Of Units.
Work Of Boys Highly Commended.

Passage by Congress OF an act au-
thorizinE the Secretary of War to
issue arms. ammunition and other
necessary soldierly equipment to COM
panieS organized in tho State for homo
defense purposes will serve as an inn
petuS to the movement in Virginia to
provide adequate defense at home
when the regular troops will have been
withdrawn for active field service.
In view Of the fact that the Federal
government is committed definitely to
furnishing equipment to these organi-
cations, Governor Stuart. who already
has given his approval to the forma-
ton of home defense companies. is ex-
pected soon to issue a statement look
ing to uniformity and coordination
OF the units.
Many companies OF this character
have been organized, and arc ready
10 assume their responsibilities as soon
as they are sufficiently armed Act
Ing under the advice OF the Governor
the Council Of Defense. which carly
recognized the need of the State in
this matter. urged their organization
in every section OF Virginia Secre-
tary w. NJ. lIunley, of the council, has
worked out composite plan for their
formation. and soon viii present this
to tho council for approval.
NEED OF DEFENSE
COMPANIES IL URGENT.
The need OF defense companies.
clothed with military authority, is
deemed urgent by those who have
given the matter serious thought. 1t
Is simply matter OF time when most
OF the regularly constituted troops
will be withdrawn for field service.
leaving many sections OF tho State
wholly without protection. The COM
panies to be formed will be given
adequate authority to use military
measures in the quclling Of riots and
taking care Of such emergency situa-
lions as may arise.
The Council OF Defense yesterday
expressed Official appreciation through
resolution OF the generous response
Virginia farmers have made to the
appeal OF the Governor and President
Tor increased food production this year
TO meet the war situation. Crop acre
age throughout the state has been in
creased beyond any figure in the his
tory Of Virginia. making IL practically
certain that the state this year will
show an unparalleled production OF
toodstuTs
The resolution adopted is as fol-
Lows:
In view OF the fact that the farm
ers OF the State have planted greatly
increased acreage OF food crops, and
are bending their utmost efforts to
respond TO tho appeal OF the govern
ment TO increase the supply OF food for
tho State and nation. the Council OF
Defense wishes TO express it's apprecta-
ton OF the splendid support the farm
ers OF Virginia are according their
government in this emergency, and its
continued. and that. whenever possible.
even greater efforts viii be put for
ward 10 insure greater food produce
tlon.
in the estimation of tho Council OF
Defense. no class OF citizens is ac-
tuated by more patriotic motives. or
has u greater desire TO support this,
government in It's present grave crisis
than the farmers 81 Virginia"
REPORT on WORK OF BoYs
IN AIDING FOOD PRODUCTION
The following is report of the
Washington authorities on the work
Of boys in helping TO increase food
production:
In thirty States directors have been
appointed 10 organize the United States
Boys Working Reserve. \ number OF
the remaining States have advised the
national director OF the reserve. Will
liam T.. Hail. at the United States De-
partment OF Labor. at Washington.
that they will name directors as soon
a s their Council Of Defense completes
local organization.
Most of the directors named arc al
ready actively at work. and using
local State organizations to enroll
boys for farm and other work. Under
the rule OF tho United States Boys
Working Reserve. boys must earn
their badges by preliminary service OF
the farm or in some employment OF
another character. When a boy has
thus established his right to the Of
fetal badge, tho director viii be ready
TO supply it. Badges are now ready
for distribution. About 10000 boys
have been placed on farms in States
along the Atlantic seaboard. and in
the Western States the approaching
harvest is having its effect in incrcas-
ing the activity OF the reserve.
n e a.
Association called upon the Depart
ment Of Labor TO assist the canneries
by finding boys and young men TO
engag" in work in the canncries. The
canncries were advised to take cen
sus Of their own needs and report to
the department.. State Director Holden.
Of Baltimore. agreed to obtain all the
boys needed for Maryland. Burridge
=. Butler. OF Chicago. has undertaken
to supply 200 boys July ! to go TO
canncries in Michigan. The Michigan
canneries viii pay transportation from
Chicago 10 the canneries. and the boys
Will receive the wages current in the
vicinity for the labor.
THOUSANDS OF BOYS
NOW BEING EMPLOYED
difficult problem has been that
OF inducing the farmer TO employ city
boys without experience in farm work.
To great extent, this is being over
come. and thousands Of boys without
previous agricultural experience are
now being employed upon the farm.
AS means of meeting this difficulty,
plans are being developed to establish
intensive farm training camps for
boys. Several State. county and mu-
nicipal organizations and private
schools. in different parts OF the coun-
try. arc working upon this problem.
II ~ believed that a course of two or
three weeks Will give a city boy suf-
hcient experience to make him SER
Viceable on farm. and protect him
and the farmer from needless risk.
One training camp near Philadelphia
has so far been very successful: but
the camp instructors have not yet
been able to keep any boy for the
full outlined period OF instruction, be-
cause nearby farmers. after watching
the boys at work. have insisted. on
hiring them without waiting for the
school term to end.
DOCtorN Meet To-Dny.