Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-09-05
DRAFTED MEN
70 Trained
BEFORE: Call.
Nationwide Organization for
Preliminary Drill Launched by
National Security League
Under Sanction of Gen.
eraI CroWder.

CURLY League mas unueTtuheu liz -
ganization throughout the country OF
systematic preliminary course OF trlih'
ing for the young men in the draft, so
that when they are called they VII!
know something of their duties ana
how to take care of themselves.
The League has drawn up compre-
hensive plan, which Will be put In oper'
alton in every state in the Union under
the direction OF q "Committec on Pre-
limlnary Training and instruction or
Men Registered for Draft" OF when
SUPERINTENDENT Charles q. Stokes, U.
S. ~, retired, Is chairman.
crowder Approves.
Provost Marshal General Crowder,
to whom the Security League submit
ted the idea before acting, has APP
proved II in a letter to Col. Charles l..
Lydeclser President Of the League, In
which he says:
Your proposal gives me great salts
faction. Your League can render val
liable assistance In this manner"
The Security Leagues plan VIII be
made effective through the PSI branch
es of the League, scattered in all parts
OF the country, and subcommittee OIL
Surgeon General Stnkes's committee
co-opnrating with the Local Draft
Boards in all the states. 1t provides
for the organization into instruction
classes of the men soon to he called,
TO be selected by the Draft Boards, the
actual training to be conducted by re-
tired or disabled army officers, whose
efforts to prepare the young men for
service will be supplemented by local
clcrsymen and physicians.
Cen. ]. Franklin Bell commandanf
ut Camp Upton, is an enthusiastic sup
porter Of the plan and has promised
the Security League cooperation IN
obtaining instructors for the classes IN
New York City and vicinity.
"cIean, Sober Soldiers"
The object of our endcavor will he
20 make the young men understand
why they are called for service to their
country, what is to be expected OF
them and why they should be loyal,
clean, sober and intelligent soldiers"
saws Surgeon-Gencral Stokes. Outiln-
ing the operation of the plan, he con-
tinues:
"Tnere are three main working
points:
I'D Each Local Draft Board,
through It's Chairman, will select Il
Cantain, who will procure the assem-
bly, OF the registrants and obtain from
local military or naval post, State
Guard or Home Defense Unit or from
retired or disabled veterans of the
present war an adequate training Oil
Ger.
"(2) The Captain will also Invite q
local clergyman to give information
instruction and advice to the young
luen.
Save Time and Mo ey.
"(3) A local physician will also III
struct the young men In matters OF
health, hygiene and physical well-bein2
In order that when they go to CAM
they shnll present themselves with :
consciousness Of knowledge which viii
add to thcir strength and usefulness.
AT present the vast majority Of oul
Young men are called to the cOlors IN
trained. 1t would greatly facilitate
their being turned into soldiers AMI
save the government time and money
If when they are called they are pro
vidcd with some knowledge of military
training and sense Of discipline ant
organization.
saThe position OF local Captain. who
will supervise the work, offers one 81
the finest opportunities for patriotic
service for men Of standing in the com
munity who are unable to get into the
trenches.
"Disoraanized Rabbie."
"Under the guidance Of such man
aided by an influential local clergyman
and physician, the drafted men will q
70 their environments in efficient, or
caniZed bodies rather than as disor
ranized rabble and with q spirit o.
scIf-reliance and comradnship. All th'
stranseness Of the new life will have
been eliminated, and, since the mcT
will have been taught what lies before
them, they will face duty with the con
fidence Of familiarity.
"The military instruction will com
prise only the simplest evo!utionS, witt
particular emphasis upon military cour
tesy-when, where, how and whom tt
salute. \ general supervision of this
phase OF the training for uniformity
and efficiency Will be conducted by t1t
government military authorities. Ar
mories. public parks and squares. pub
lie school backgrounds, etc, will be
--silzeG for the actual drilling. Drills
rgo or rigee times weel; of an hour:
durat ton will be preferable. to longer
periods at less frequent intervals.
Fitted for: OFFICERS.
competitive drills will be arranged
TO stimulate interest ara9nntlusiasm
Oneyof the advantages Dfstne: plan vii
p