The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-07-29
NIL TRAIN DRAFTED
men BEFORE THE CALL
Security League Launches Nation
Wide Organization Under Sane
ton OF Provost Marshal Gen
eral Crowder.
.cI.EAN. SOBER SOLDIERS"
Object Is to Make Young americans
Understand Why They Are Called
to Fight for Their Country--To
Stimulate Interest and Enthusiasm.

New york. July 2S.--UndeT the
sanction of Provost Marshal General
Crowder. the National Security
league announces today that II has
undertaken the organization through
out the country OF "A systematic pre-
liminary course Of training for the
young men in the draft, so that when
they are called they wall know some-
thing of their duties and how to take
care of themselves.
The league has drawn up A COM
prehensive plan, which will be pat IN
operation in every state in the Union
under the direction Of a committee
on preliminary training and instruc-
ton of men registered for draft,
to be appointed later.
Crowder Approves.
Provost Marshal-Gsneral Crowder.
to whom the Security league sub
nitted the idea before acting, has ap-
proved it In a letter 10 Colonel Charles
r Lydecker president of the league,
In which he says
Your proposal gives me great
satisfaction. Your league can render
valuable assistance in this manner
The Security leagues plan VIII be
made effective through the Isl bran
cl1es OF the league. scattered in all
parts of the country. and sub-com
mittees of the general committee CO.
operating with the local draft
boards in all the states. II provides
for the organization into instruction
classes OF the men soon to be called.
to be selected by the draft boards.
the actual training to be conducted
by retired or disabled army officers
whose efforts to prepare the young
men for service will be supplemented
by local clergymen and physicians.
General J. Franklin Bell. command
ant at Camp Upton. is an enthusiastic
supporter Of the plan and has prom
ised the Security league cooperation
in obtaining instructors for the classes
In this city and vicinity
"Ciean, Sober soldiers"
The object OF our endeavor will be
to make the young men understand
Why they are called for service TO.
their country. what Is 60 be expected
Of them, and why they should be
loyal, clean. sober and intelligent
soldiers" says Colonel Lydecker. out
lining the operation of the plan, he
continues
There are three main working
through its chairman, will select a
sembiy of the registrants and obtain
from a local military or naval post.
state guard or home defense unit.
or from retired or disa bIed veterans
OF the present war, an adequate train
ing oficer.
"62l The captain will also invite a
local clergyman to give information,
instruction and advice to the young
men.
Save Time and Money.
"(3) A local physician Will also in
struct the young men In matters of
health, hygiene and physical we'll
being, in order that when they go to
camp they shall present themselves
with a consciousness OF knowledge
which will add to their strength and
usefulness.
AT present. the vast majority of
our young men are called to the coIors
unframed II would greatly facilitate
their being turned into soldiers and
save the government time and money
II. when they are called. they are pro-
vided with some Knowledge OF mill
tary training and a sense Of discipline
and organization.
The position Of local captain. who
will supervise the work, offers one of
the finest opportunities for patriotic
service for men of standing In the
community who are unable to get into
the trenches.
"Disorganized RahhIe"
Under the guidance OF such man
aided by an influential local clergy
man and physician, the drafted men
will SO to their cantonments in effi-
cient. organized bodies. rather than as
. disorganized rabhle, and with a
spirit of self-reliance and comradeship
All the strangeness OF the new life
will have been eliminated and, since
the men will have been taught what
lies before them. they viii face duty
with the confidence OF familiarity
The military instruction will COM
prise only the simplest evolution.
with particular emphasis. upon mill
tAry courtesy. when, where. how and
whom TO salute A general super
vision of this phase Of the training,
Tor uniformity and efficiency. will he
conducted by the government military
authorities. Armories public parks
and squares, public school play
grounds, etc. will be utilized for the
actual drilling. Drills two or three
times week of an hours duration
Wi be preferable TO longer periods
At less frequent intervals.
Fitted for Officers.
Com petitive drills will be ARRANGED
to stimulate interest and enthusiasm
One OF the advantages OF the plan
Will be that the men who prove most
proficient IN the preliminary training
will have an excellent chance of being
selected as non-commissioned officers
when they arrive IN camp"
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