The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-14
Rumored That No Mobiliza-
ton Centers Will Be Located
at State Capitals
OFFICIALS HERE DO
NOT CONFIRM REPORT
No Reason Known Why Sher-
wood Park Site, Already
Equipped, Should Be Dis
carded by Army Board

While, it is believed, plans arc be-
ing crystallized for the establishment
OF the state mobilization camp at
sherwood park. the site of the camp
this city. but not confirmed locally
Indicates that under a recent ruling
or the secretary OF war tho capital
OF Virginia cannot be accepted as
point for concentrating the federal
ICED national guard OF the state. That
t such an order has been issued by the
war department is difficult to reconcile
with the recent visit to Richmond Of
the government camp inspector. who
made Il visit to Sherwood park, and, 1t
Is thought. included 1t along with
several other locations which were
recommended for the camp.
IT Is understood that the order of
Secretary Baker, which prevents the
establishment OF mobilization camp
al state capital, was issued by Ma
jorGenerai II. l.. Scott. at the direc-
ton ot the secretary of war along
with other special regulations, on April
2 when Captain Frank II. Hines
came 10 Richmond for the purpose
OF going over camp sites with the
military authorities here, he in no
way indicated that there was any or
der against establishing the camp
here The ruling of Secretary Baker
+ az follows:
No Camps Mt State Capitals.
Hereafter. when mobilization
camps are being decided upon. all
recommendations for mobilization
camps at state capitals Will be re-
tected.' decision OF secretary OF
war;
Since no notification has been given
the state military department regard
Ing the ruling OF the secretary of war.
which will make 1t impossible to bring
the camp 10 Richmond. information
that such ruling existed came as q
great surprise to Adjutant.G ener al
Sale, and other officers who have been
working on the camp location. II was
felt that an order dated ten days ago
would surely have bet, sent TO Rich
snond. and the fact that the United
States army officer on duty here. nor
even the camp inspector. had no in
formation on the ruling. II was though,
that the order might not apply to
be taken up this morning with the
war department.
II the camp is given to some other
city, II will mean a severe loss to Rich
mond. City officials and citizens. alive
10 the great financial return from hay-
Ing the camp here. have agreed TO
make extensive installations Of sew
erage. light and water at Sherwood
park in order that about 10000 troops
might be accommodated. Tho park
has sunieiant- acreage. and - declared
10 be . location entirely suited to mill
tary purposes. Last year there was
but this will be properly taken care
of IL the camp is tcated here.
Officials Are at Sea.
with nothing from the war depart
mcnt to indicate the cause for a ruling
which eliminates all state capitals
from being selected as points OF mobi-
: faxation, 1t was difficult last night for
officers here TO understand the ruling.
II would appear. II was declared. that
every reason could DO advanced to
prove why a military camp should be
located At the capital. where tho seat
OF government IL. and the admlnis-
tration of the camp well handled.
This was concluslvely shown last
summer during the mobilization At
Camp Stuart. With tho office OF tho
adjutant-general and the governor In
Richmond. many executive matters
with camp officials could be handled
direct. and to this was largely duo
the excellent management of the camp.
which was so warmly commended by
the war department
No Oppositton to Park Site.
General Sale was notified some time
ago by the department of the East that
the matter OF selecting a camp site
for the state. was one to be settled
BY the military authorities here. and
over which the government had no con
troll, since they would spend no money
here for its equipment. It Is plain.
however. that IL a camp proved to be
unsat kfactory, there Is all likelihood
that DE government would order 1t
moved. but there is no objection to
Sherwood park that was not corrected
last year.
Petersburg has been regarded as the
only real, competitor of Richmond for
the camp. The location offered In that
city has been declared to be particu-
larry suited to the purposes Of mill
tary camp. but for reasons already
stated. II believed that plans were well
under way to have the camp placed