South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-04
f RST STEP TAKEN
FOR HOME GUARD
Well Attended Meeting Held
Under Direction of County
Defense Council.

/
here for the organization of three
local companies for the county regi-
ment Of home guards. VI. w. Mix,
vice chairman, presided, and first in
| troduced Frank r. Herring Of South
| Bend, one Of the leaders Of the
| movement, who explained the man
| ner Of perfecting the organization
| and the usefulness of such a military
body after the state guardsmen are
! sworn into the federal service next
| Sunday.
Mr.. Herring stated that the move
| ment is universal throughout the
! country and was started at the in
| stigatiOn of the national defense
! council. The speaker pointed out
the grave necessity of such an or
| ganizatiOn in each community and
cited the case OF Pres't Lincoln in
| his conduct Of the civil war in con-
| centrating his power which required
two and a half years. Pres't Wilson,
he said, had determined that we are
going 10 conduct this war along two
| parallel lines. That first we are go
] ing 10 supply the soldiers for the
| front. then we are going 10 protect
that soldier while there with Red
Cross comforts, etc, and secondly,
We are going TO protect those left at
home by our soldiers He told of is
months being required by England
TO concentrate her forces and an
equal length of time by others of the
great warning nations and of the
changes made in important positions
r,f e
nations of Europe before they final
! ~ perfected the most efficient power
OF directing the war. England's de-
Tense of the realm act. Mr.. Herring
said, is similar 10 what we are do
ing now in organizing the home
guard units. The protection taken
away from our homes by the federal
mobilization Of our state guards
makes the present move a most vital
one. he continued.
Mr.. Herring impressed his hear
ers with the Importance Of all male
citizens between the ages of is and
60 years becoming members of the
organization with the thought that
IL is a patriotic duty, and that each
should bear in mind that all cannot
be captains. lieutenants. sergeants
and cOrporals. that each man must
| become a member with the under
standing that the organization will
be conducted along regular military
lines. as if he were in the regular
army. each one receiving the credit
either in an official capacity or 9TH
erwise. that he is entitled 10. First
drillmaster will be appointed for
n company and frequently they will
be transferred TO enable others fitted
to Judge their military executive
ability before they are chosen to
command. The selection of the Off
GERS. he explained, will not be by
election. based on the candidates
popularity with the men. but only
on merit.
The speaker read a letter from +.
NJ. Wilson. chairman of the commit
tee on military affairs Of the state
council OF defense, written TO the ed
itor of a South Bend newspaper. and
explaining the preliminary steps that
should be made in organizing the
county regiment. The plan is TO set
the minimum number for each com
pany at 60, as required by army reg
ulations. and increasing the number
TO full strength of 100 or 100 later,
if applications warrant A certain
number will be held in reserve at
all times 10 fill i'm places made va
cant by unforeseen circumstances. or
by ejectments for INSTRUMENTATION Of
members.
II is the intention to form three
companies in Mishawaka, seven
companies cone in each ward) IN
South Bend. one in Walkerton. and
one in either North Liberty or New
Carlisle
Mai Fred L. Dennis Of South
Bend was the next speaker intro
duced. He explained the military
features of the organization further.
stating that the plans 40 now out
lined were excellent He approved
OF the minimum number OF each
company being placed at 65. which.
with L companies. would make
total Of $50 men. and IL others in
sisted upon joining that headquar-
ters supply and machine gun COM
panies could be ORGANIZED, other
wise the present plan OF s. would
be sufficient. The same discipline.
stated the major. would be enforced
as in any regular army regiment.
promptress in reporting for drills.
etc. being one Of the requisites. The
first thing would be the teaching of
the fundamentals of drilling under
an experienced drillmaster. Guns.
he explained. would not be necessary
10 start. but would he procured when
perfection demanded. and arms could
be obtained without interfering with
the supply needed for the regular
troops being equipped for the front.
He said that each man displaying
qualifications for an office before be
ing appointed would have 10 go be-
fore an examining board and that
those signing cards kVr membership
should remember that they are as
Stunning an important and serious
duty 20 his country the same as If
he were joining the regular army.
Slips OF blank paper were passed
out among the men present 10 place
their name and address on and pass
back. Committees will be appointed
Monday and another public meeting
will be held as soon as present plans
can be sufficiently perfected.