Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-05
PICK STATE CAMP SITE
BEFORE CLOSE OF WEEK
Military Officers Visit Lynchburg To-
Day to Inspect Acreage Which
Has Been Offered.
THREE CITIES NOW IN RACE
Fourth Regiment Will Be Modified
at Virginia Bcach-PIans on Foot
Here for Formation OF New Field
Artillery Battery.

No decision was reached last night
in regard to the site for the mobiliza
ton camp to be established In this
state for the National Guard of Vir-
giria. Two sites have peen inspected.
but after a lengthy conference It was
decided to extend the investigation
further
Captain Frank p. Hines, United
States Army. who was sent here by
the Department of tho East. will leave
for Lynchburg this morning accom-
panied by Major Allen Potts and
Major 10 Lane Stern. y site near the
Hill City, which is accessible to rail
road and electric lines and has ex-
cellent water and sewerage facilities.
has been offered. That the choice will
be between LynchburE. Petersburg and
Richmond is practically certain.
The military officials visited the site
offered by Petersburg yesterday. The
site is at Lakemont Park. which is
ample for the actual camp. while 1.AOO
acres adjoining the grounds may be
secured for drill purposes. The Pc
tersburg property is equipped with
several buildings suitable for storage
purposes and has other facilities neces-
sary to Il big camp. Richmond is offer
ing Sherwood Park and Williams Park.
which citizens have guaranteed to put
in shape for military purposes.
ENPECT NO DECISION
UNTII. END OF WEEK
Captain Hines conferred last night
with Governor stuart, Adjutant- Gen
eral Sale and Majors Potts, Stern and
G. l.. Wright in regard to the various
sites offered the government. 1t was
decided that nothing should be done
until the Lynchburg offer had been
investigated. 1t is probable that no
decision Will be made until the end of
this week.
1t has been decided TO send the
Fourth Virginia Infantry into camp on
the State Rifle Range at Virginia
Beach, but this is not taken as an in
dication that that site will he used
for q general concentration point
The grounds are not large enough to
accommodate 10000 men and the nee
essary animals. while the railroad and
storage facilities are also inadequate.
The camp will he large enough for
one regiment. The Fourth Infantry
is composed of men from that section
of the State.
Plans for the organization of an
other battery of field artillery are
being made by young men of Church
Ili|l. several OF whom are now mem
bcrs OF the Richmond Uowitzers.
petition is being circulated and as
soon as it has the required number of
SIGNATURES will he forwarded to the
- -nnt-Gcncrai for action Those
ID, ing the movement have been as
sured that the state viii lend it's sup
port to the new organization, provid-
ing the War Department will grant
the authority and supply the necessary
equipment.
MEET SATURDAY NIGHT
TO FURTHER MOVEMENT
FRS, Sergeant Frank Rowe and Ser
gcant Charles a. Fclvcy, Jr.. of the
Richmond Howitzcrs are working on
the proposition. \ mass-meetinC has
been called in tho interests of tho pro-
posed organization. the Springfield
School auditorium having been secured
for Saturday night. When sufficient
number OF men have signed up. drill
ing will start. the Church IIill Athletic
club field being utilized for the pur-
pose.
The new battery. If accepted will
probably bc placed in a provisional bat
Hllnn with la D nf