Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-20
RICHMOND TO HONOR men
DRAWN FOR SERVICE
Great Parade OF Members of New
~ National Army From This
City Is Proposed.
MAYOR AINsLIE APPROVES
VIII Hold Conference With Well
sSss Known Men to Decide on Form
celebration Is to Take-Saturtiay,
September 1, Is Probable Date.

Richmond will pay fitting tribute to
the patriotic young men who will rep
resent this city in the new national
army. Mayor George Ainslie last night
announced that he would hold con-
ference with prominent citizens to de-
eide upon a plan. and would then is
sue proclamation notifying all Rich
inonderS that 1t is their duty to join
nsthe movement for the honor of those
who are going away to fight for us In
foreign lands
The plan for honoring the men draft
ed into the military service originated
in Chicago, where several weeks ago
monster parade was held. Mayor
Ainslie is in favor Of such n thing here.
believing that popular demonstration
in which everybody can take part will
be the best means of honorinE the
men. Other cities In the country are
now making their plans for similar
demonstrations.
Mayor Ainslie will get in touch with
prominent men to-day to learn their
ideas in regard to the demonstration.
The matter has already been discussed
Informally and all patriotic, civic and
business organizations will be asked to
cooperate In making the demonstra-
tion success.
MAY BE ON AFTERNOON
OF SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
1t is probable that the date to be Sc
lected will be the afternoon, or even
ing of September /, as the first con-
tingent Of drafted men will leave hero
shortly after that time. Not only will
the men who will form the first quota
be invited to take part in the parade,
but all registered men will also be in
tho line.
Tho demonstration will be in honor
Of tho colored as we'll as white men
who have been drafted. 1t was demon
strated here several weeks ago in the
Red Cross pageant that the white peo-
pie of Richmond were glad to sec their
colored citizens aligned with them in
the fight for justice and freedom The
white and colored contingents will
march under their own leaders and
several bands will be divided among
them.
Whether there will be any strictly
military organizations in the parade
Will depend upon the circumstances.
All Virginia units expect to leave in
the near future for camp. but the dates
have not been settled. If the organi-
cations remain here, they will, OF
course, be asked to take part in the
demonstration. Efforts will be made,
however. to have the companies of the
FortySeventh New York Infantry.
now stationed here. and probably regu-
lars or marines. take part in the pa
rade.
HOME DEFENSE UNITS MAY
APPEAR FOR FIRST TIME
one OF the features already discussed
is the appearance Of the Richmond
home defense units in parade for
the first time. There are five of the
companies located here, and, while
none of them is uniformed or armed
the men have been drilling regularly
and will make fine appearance.
1t is probable that the parade will
pass the City Hall. where Governor
Stuart and State and city officials can
review IT. The parade will probably
end at Monroe Park, where several pa
triotic addresses will be made. AIer-
chants along the route OF march, as
we'll as all citizens. will be requested
TO decorate their premises for the occa-
sion.
The registered men will probably be
arranged by division, and will be head
ed by the local exemption boards Wo-
men now banded together for patrio-
tic duty will also be given a place in
the procession. Each organization
taking part will furnish it's own unit
of marchers.
Richmond will furnish 7SS men for
the first draft, and will also select an
additional o.-pe1 cent to take the
places OF any rejected after reaching
camp. More than 10000 men registered
here for military service.