Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-05
WILSON ASKED TO
ORDER GEORGIA'S
SOLDIERS HOME
Strong Petition That Is Sent
President by Governor Har-
riS Is Endorsed by Mayor
Gambler and Others

\ strong petition urging President
Wilson and the war department TO in
cIude the Georgia boys in the next con-
tingent of troops to be sent from the
border to their home stations for mus
tering out is being forwarded Wednes-
cay by Governor Harris.
This petition which is in the shape
of resolutions adopted at large mass
meeting held in the South Side Baptist
church, Savannah. Monday night, is Of
hcially joined ir by the mayor and coun-
ell of the city of savannah. bv Governor
Harris, by Mayor Gambler, or Atlanta,
and many of the leading citizens OF
the state In addition several members
of congress nave signified their inten-
ton to back up the petition with all
the influence at their command.
Rev. John S. Wilder, pastor of the
South Side Baptist church. called the
mass meeting in Savannah and presided
over it. He was made chairman OF the
committee to prepare the resolutions
and write the necessary letters. Tuesday
DR.. Wilder conferred with Mayor Pier
pont of Savannah, and that Official
promptly Endorsed the movement and
forwarded official letters to President
Wilson and the members of congress.
Wednesday DR.. Wilder was in At
lanta and conferred. with Governor Har-
ris, who also Joined heartily in the
movement and promised TO make official
representations to President Wilson.
After his conference with DR.. Wilder
Governor Harris took the matter up
with Mayor Gambler and the latter an
nounced his willingness to cooperate
in every way. He Will also join in the
petitions.
DR.. Wilder SAYS there were fully 1000
persons at the mass meeting held in his
church Since ii became known that
he was organizing the movement he has
received letters from all parts of Geor-
gia approving it, Congressman Charles
O. Edwards has wired him of his great
interest in the movement and has prom
ised to do everything within his power
to bring it to a successful consumma-
ton.
DIR. Wilder is intensely interested in
the Georgia soldier boys lie was chap
lain of the First Georgia regiment from
the time the troops were modified UNI
til just a few days before they left for
the Mexican border, when he had to re-
turn to his church.
In the letters setting forth the action
of the mass meeting appears the fol-
I lowing:
1T appears that the war department
of the United States has ordered a por-
ton of the national guard, amounting to
about seventy-five thousand, TO their
home stations, and it seems to be the
policy of the government to return the
remaining units at stated intervals.
"It was a noble action on the part OF
our Georgia boys in responding to the
call OF the president. They did this with
out regard to their affairs in civil life.
placing in jeopardy their business and
positions, frequently at a great sacrifice,
and again our boys have been in service,
the same length of time as any of the
national guard.
Therefore we have petitioned tho
president of the United States, by resolu-
ton to include the Georgia boys in the
next contingent ordered to their home
station"