New-York tribune., 1917-04-09
Move to Enroll
Every Citizen in
National Service
Committee Named to Co
ordinate Efforts OF
All Bodies

Washington. April S.-All men ana
women who want to do their bit iof
the country IN the war with Germany
without enlistinS in the regular mil
i,arv or naval forces are given oppor-
tunitv to enroll for service under
nlan announced to-day with the sp-
proval Of the Sccretary OF war Inc
National Committee Of Patriotic ana
Defence Societies, acting as clear
ing house Tor twenty-eiGht oFgah'z"-
,;ors has been dengnated IA a semi
Official agent Of the government 70
coordinate the efforts OF lhoiV'ou"''
rs well as organizations corco
The committee, headed Dy ueole
Wharton Pepper. OF Philadelpnl2: anu
with Lieutenant General ;. b. VI. iouns
as its honorary chairman, III a""ou"'
ine the plan. says; ,od
This committee, which was lo'''Ieu
AT semi official suggestion. lor tne ~
ICES nurposc OF harmonizlng the el-
forts Of patriotic organizations hhS
felt iustiicd I'm undertaking TO fornu-
late plans under which those VINO W."
N pledcc their services to the couu'
trv in sny capacity, military or cN'',
NAV organize themselves INTO wen
coordinated body.
Seeks TO Save Trouble
"Wc all want 20 do our bit. But II
.,, Good rho government with proms-
cuons offers to volunteer other ina"
in the regular army or seek 10 organ
ize companies and regiments III WAY
which do not fit II with tne ""'
Denartment's plan. We are IiAeiy -
nroye more troublesome than useiuI:
"We ought to be able 10 organic
md co.ordinate our efforts 20 help the
government, subjugating our personal
desires for distinguished opportunity
for service to the needs OF the organ
lied whole. Ill.
"plans for developing nation-"iHe
volunteer reserve, enrolled ny state
local committees under a oemocta TIC
scheme of control. are under way, but,
Of course. cannot be fully worked out
or announced until Congress passes the
army bill. The formation OF local Or
carnations need not be discouraged III
The meantime, for if their leaders VIII
cot in touch with us the organization
can Immediately be utilized as soon
as the time comes when harmonious
movement can be begun.
Approving the plan and giving the
attitude Of the War Department toward
volunteer organizations IN general 'eV
retarv Baker said:
"The administration bill provides
for recruiting the regular army to rs
rk
i, becomes law | think the first effort
Of patriotic organizations OF citlZehs
might we'll be devoted 70 stimulating
such recruiting
"In providing for future increments
20 the army from men between hihe-
teen and twenty-five years old we are
not unheedful Of the great mass OF
patriotic men above the age or twenty
FIVE, nor OF the women, who are eager
70 serve the country in its emergency.
Everywhere movements 10 form various
sorts OF volunteer organizations are
under way.
THE time may come when the ser
vices Of such citizens Will prove inVsI-
liable. In positions not directly con-
nected with but necessary to the con-
duct and equipment OF large army
use may be found for many OF them.
As military reserve, an organlza-
ton OF men who by reason Of age o.
otherwise are not Immediately needed
pledged 70 answer any call 20 service
will prove OF great moral value. even
n. as ito be hoped, no emergency ever
makes their actual call 70 arms a ne
cessi,y.
To Inify All Efforts
The National Committee Of Patriotic
and Defence Societies is formulating
with my hearty approval, plans 10 unity
and encourage these many volunteer e..
forts 1t would be great relish II
Ali offers 20 serve, other than by JON
ine the regularly constituted army
miah. be ultimately presented 70 the
department IN some coordinated Wa
through common channel.
"The plsn., OF course, cannot be per
feeted or approved until after Congress
.cts on the army bill. In the mean
time. would suggest 20 al individuals
and groups who are engaged In or con
tsmplsting the formation Of volunteer
examinations ior national service that
4, would simplify the problem OF this
d.nartment II they would cooperate
Win ire National Committee Q! PATTI
o,ic and Defence Socistiss in hnding
usy FOR those who wish TO pledge thsir
,evices 10 the country 20 o.gaaiEs
themselves SO that they can present
tl ar eSeY 20 the Go-sfHmsns'