El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-12

, it was necessary for the police TO have
! assistance in establishing a sanitary
patrol at the time OF the infantile
, paralysis epidemic.
But the big emergency. the leading
spirits in the league say, is still to
come. This crisis viii be either war
or a great catastrophe like the San
Francisco earthquake or the Chicag
fire.
No Severe Discipline
The organization of the league IS
exceedingly democratic and elastic.
There is no severe discipline. Mem
bers organize their own companies
under a precinct police commander.
There may be as many Of these COM
Panies in one precinct as is found de-
sirable- Each company may decide how
far II shall go-whether it shall have
d large amount Of drill OF instruction
or a less severe course. whether its
members shall wear the uniform. and
like questions.
The uniform was adopted at the
request OF the members of the league
and costs s. to IS summer Weight).
II is distinctly a police and not mill
tary garb.
The uniform resembles that Of the
federal forest rangers The material Is
khaki the color between a brown and
green and the cut that of the army
field service uniform Canvas leggins.
police buttons campaign hat ana
flannel shirt complete the outfit
Members differ vastly in their abil-
ity to buy this uniform and contribute
70 other purposes Of the league There
are millionaires and bricklayers side
by side in some OF she companies
Has $4,000 Enrolled Already.
II too many members OF a company
drop out il IS disbsnded and the rem
nants are invited TO join other organ
izations. New companies NAV BE-
formed at any time There are about
$4,000 active members now. and If
trouble came 1t is safe to say the fig
ures would jump overnight TO tht o.
600 maximum which has been set for
the league enrolment
A fine class OF men mas been en-
listed in the league. Among them are
many who have seen duty in the army
or navy, militia or naval reserve.
There are also men who have had ex-
perience on the plains. as wOOdsmen.
railroad men. baseball and football
men while many are in charge OF big
business and are used to handling large
executive problems and directing large
bodies OF subordinates
There are owners OF high-powered
motor boats. yachtsmen and men who
can build anything from a pump TO an
aeroplane in the leagues list.
The first company was organized in
the Brownsville district Of BROOKLYN
and consisted largely OF those who
had been born under other flags and
we're IN this way 10 show their graft
-ude and loyalty to the country they
have adopted.
On Military Basis.
Within company organization is on
4 military basis Each company has a
'aptain, two lieutenants and sergeantS
md corDorais in proportion to the
number of men
The commissioner has planned to
give each member who has a certain
number of drills to his credit an en-
crossed certificate Of membership in
ne league and a collar decoration
which may also be worn in the but
onhole Of his citizen clothes. some I
line soon il Is hoped TO see started p +
monthly publication edited and printed
~ the members OF the league
Drills are held in schoolhouses. ma
ional guard armories and halls offered
or the purpose and when the weather =
5 good. III streets, plazas and parks.
Nal Gen Leonard Wood, COmmandine- (
he department of the east of the
United states army. has assigned an
irIny officer 10 assist in instructing
he leagues drills.
IN the downtown business district OF
danhattan agreements have been made
With large employers Of men to give
heir employees a certain amount OF