The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-05
FINAL ARRANGEMENTS
FOR HOMECOMING TODAY
Committee In Charge of Celebration
ol Return of Virginia Troops VIII
Meet at 1915 O'Clock.
TO DISTRIBUTE 10000 FLAGS
Governor Stuart Will Head Reception
Committee at station When Soldiers
Arriye-Will Dctrain ut Elba liz
That Can Be Arranged.

Final arrangements for the home
coming celebration to be held on the
arrival of the Virginia troops Will
be made this afternoon at the meet
ing Of the reception committee to be
held at 1915 o'clock in the Bust
ness Mems Club. 1t Is requested by
Chairman Alvin NJ. Smith that all OF
the members be present, as the First
Regiment is expected either Saturday
or Sunday, and no further time is
left to complete the plans.
Colonel 10 Lane Stern yesterday re-
ceived a letter from Colonel william
J. Perry. in which he stated that
the troops would arrive in Richmond
on Saturday. barring accidents and
delays. Colonel Perry said that the
first section would be made up most
ly of baggage cars. and on account of
this II is likely that the second sec
ton. carrying the members of the
Richmond Grays would arrive in
advance of first
On account OF all plans for the
departure of the troops having been
made when the letter from Colonel
Stern was received by Colonel Perry
requesting that the First Regiment
band be shipped on the first section,
this could not be arranged. 1t Will,
however, be sent with the second sec
ton and IL this reaches Richmond
before the first section, the band VIII
be In good time.
Will Distribute Flags To-day.
The 10000 American flags will he
- dirt ri htfteA- to he school children AMI
s'''-ers today. if possible, in order
that they may he supplied for the
oops when they reach the city.
Mayor Ainsle has arranged that the
FIVE bells will announce the coming
Of the soldiers. this signal being given
sufficiently in advance to enable the
public TO congregate at the station
and along the streets
Colonel Perry has stated that he
would prefer that the troops leave the
train at Eliza station II this can he
arranged, in which cas- the parade
will be down Broad street 30 the
armories. If the troop train pulls into
CHvrd Street station the line OF march
will be up Seventh. street 10 Main
street. TO Firth street, to Franklin
Street. TO Foushee Street, 10 Broad
Street. and thence 20 the Grays' and
Blues Armores.
The reception committee. headed by
Governor Stuart will he at the sta
tion when the men arrive and Off
cislly welcome them 10 the city Then,
escorted by the John Marshall High
School Cadets. the Boy Scouts and
several bands, the Virginia boys will
march 10 the armories, viewed by
thousands OF citizens. and receiving
the piaudits ard cheers and welcome
M IVA cit IA haf ~ az n
armorios they will he given some light
refreshment big dauce will he ar
ranged for the troops and held sew
eral days after their arrival
Morc Money Is Needed.
Up 10 last night hardly more than
50 200 had been collected by the
finance committee for the expenses
In connection with the celebration.
The 81 o0or is needed for the welcome
10 he accorded all of the Virginia
troops. The committee has on sew
eral occasions endcavored 10 correct
the erroneous impression that the
money collected would he used only
for the First Regiment
All funds received by the finance
committee will he equally divide
and employed to defray the expenses
of the various commands on their ar
rival in Richmond. No organization
another at the hands of the reception
committee. As the time is short. the
public Is again asked to forward their
contributions i'll amount 10
Colonel Thomas r. McAdams at the
Merchants National Bank. I'm order
that the committee may know to what
extent they may go In arranging the
welcome events.
General Sale was busy yesterday
completing arranging for handling
the troops for music ont on their ar
rival. According to the plans SO far
decided on, the soldiers will be ac-
comm odated In the Grays' and Blues
Armories, and their meals. prepared
by . caterer. will be served in the
Masonic Temple. This will give the
troops a march of nine blocks to each
meal. which ii is regarded by mill
tary men, will be beneficial to them.
This plan was decided on after ii was
ascertained that no cooking facilities
ware In either, of the aEnories,, .,....,.
Captain Pitcher Reports.
Captain S. s. Pitcher. adjutant of
the First Regiment, at the order of
Colonel Perry. yesterday reported to
General Sale for duty in connection
with the mastering out of the soldiers.
Captain Pitcher will be esta blished in
the ONCE OF Major Allen Potts, in the
Virginia Railway and Power Company
building. Pending his arrival Major
Potts. assisted by Sergeant Black. had
taken charge of matters incident to
the arrival OF the men, but these were
yesterday turned over to Captain
Pitcher Major Potts and Sergeant
Black were scheduled to have been
mustered out of the service yesterday,
but this has been postponed until the
arrival Of mastering officer. detailed
to wind UP the affairs OF the First
Regiment.
Blues Homo Coming May BE late.
It Is estimated that two weeks
will be required to complete all de-
tails required to return the men to
the National Guard status. Most
Important OF the work is the medical
examinations to be held by the medi-
cal officers of the First Regiment,
assisted by several United States Of
ficers. who will be sent here especial
! ly. The physical examinations are
very thorough. made necessary be-
cause of the fact 1t is this means the
government uses to prevent the pay
/, ment Of large pensions to persons on