Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-08
PREPARING UNIFORM
! PLAN FOR HOME GUARD
tive Scheme Of Organization
for Each County.
SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF LABOR
Many Communities Have Adopted
Model Ordinance Prepared by
Richard Evelyn Byrd-Richmond
City Council Has Failed to Act.

The plan OF organization. which is
designed 10 result finally in the COM
plete military preparedness OF every
county and municipality in Virginia to
take care OF emergency situations aris-
ing after the National Guard OF the
State has been withdrawn for active
field service VIII be worked out within
the next few days by the Council of
Defense. which already has drawn up
q tentative scheme of organization 10
be followed by the localities in sccur-
ing means for adequate home defense.
The matter of placing Virginia in
a position to defend itself after the
contemplated withdrawal Of troops is
deemed by the council to be of the
highest Importance. and nothing Will
be left undone - effect the needed
organizations. Governor Stuart. at the
request of the council. has given mis-
approval to the formation OF home de-
tense companies. clothed with the
proper military authority - rlcct any
emergency that may arse. bin IS
now pending in Congress bearing upon
the matter, and providing for the fur
nshinE by the War Department of
grns and equipment.
PREPARING PLANS
FOR LOCAL COMPANIES
Pursuant to the Governors suEEes
ton that. pending action by Congress-,
usefu! work can he done locally in
cities and towns where the members
Of home defense companies would be
easily accessible TO any call that might
be made upon them. and that il would
be to proceed at once TO organize with
uniformity such companies, the council
is preparing letter and a plan which
will be sent to the head executive Of
each municipality in the State.
These documents Will not be sent
out. until the council has given the
whole question careful consideration,
after a conference with tho Governor
who took the lead among State eSecu-
;ives in the country in anticipating the
need OF home defense companies and
in suggesting means for their organ
ization and equipment, some of which
are included I'm the bill pending in Con-
Eress. The letter to he sent, however
will conform in the main to the fol-
lowing draft that has been drawn up
for presentation TO the council.
The Virginia Council of Defense de-
si-es TO be informed as to the status
Of home defense. military training and
all preparedness activities in each mu-
nicipality in the state
AT your earliest convenience will
you give such a report telling US
done in YOUR community along these
lines? II the local payers have printed
stories OF Your activities in this matter,
please send us clippings.
we should also like to have copies of
all blank forms that YOU are using
in making n census of those eligible
for service in home defense work also
information relating 10 rho local sit
uation which IN your opinion might be
or value tor inclusion in our co.npila-
ton of Information on the prepa redness
situation covering the whole State of
Virginia. which will be studied by the
Council OF Defense
SUGGESTED PLAN
FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATION
as follows:
appointment in each locality OF the
following committees:
/. committee on home defense ana
military traiui:ly
,. Committee on wo,ncn's service.
3. Committee on census
(. Committee on finance
5. Committee On sccret service
s. Committee on publication
Committee No. ! will have charge of
military training aui general patrol
anc home defense duties Committee
No. Will organize the women Of the
community FOR all the usual Red Cross
functions, and find ouI, as far AS pos
sthle. TO what extent the women Of
the locality can take Tho place Of men
in occupations usually filed by men.
Committee No. Will be expected to
make complete census o. the com
munity 70 ascertain the extent to
which every tItt2cp is able and will d.
ing 10 serI-, ~ military service or
out OF II. Committee No. will be
asked 10 raise all funds necessary for
loca! work 10 supplement any funds
that may be available from Il central
source.
The chief executive of the loca I!ty
alone will know the personnel OF com
nstec No :. which VIII report TO tho