New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-09-07
DRAFTED men
TO BE TRAINED
BEFORE CALL
Nationwide Organization fol
Preliminary Drill Launched by
National Security League
Under Sanction of Gen.
eraI Cr0Wder.

! curtty League has undertaken the Or
ganization throughout the country Of a
systematic preliminary course of train
i ing for the young men in the draft, SO
that when they are called they will
know something of their duties and
how to take care of themselves.
! The League has drawn up a compre-
henslve plan, which will be put in oper-
alton In every state in the Union under
the direction of Committee on Pre-
liminary Training and Instruction Of
Men Registered for Draft" Of which
Surgeon General Charles r. Stokes, u.
: 8. NJ, retired, is chairman.
crowder Approves.
! Provost Marshal General Crowder,
to whom the Security League submit
ted the idea before acting, has ap-
proved it in a letter to Col. Charles e.
! Lydecker, 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 will be
made effective through the 281 branch
es of the League, scattered in all parts
of the country, and subcommittee Of
Snrgeon-G General Stokes's committee
cooperating with the Local Draft
Boards in all the states. 1t 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 re-
tired or disabled army officers, whose
efforts to prepare the young men for
service will be supplemented by local
clergymen and physicians.
Gen. j. Franklin Bell, commandment
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"
1.-THE object Of our endeavor will be
to 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"
says Surgeon General Stokes. Outlin-
ing the operation of the plan, he con-
tinues:
''There are three main working
points:
"Q) Each Local Draft Board,
through its Chairman, will select
Captain, who will procure the Assem-.
bly, of the registrants and obtain from
a local military or naval post, State
Guard or Home Defense Unit or from
retired or disabled veterans of the
present war an adequate training Off
Ger.
"(2) The Captain will also invite
local clergyman to give information,
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 well-being
in order that when they go to camp
they shall present themselves with
of knowledge which will |
add to their strength and usefulness.
"At present the vast majority of our
young men are called to the colors un.
trained. 1t would greatly facilitate
their being turned into soldiers and
save the government time and money /,
Il when they are called they are pro- |
vided with some knowledge of military |
and sense of discipline and |
'"The position of local Captain, who |
The finest opportunities for patriotic !
service for men of standing in the com.
who are unable to get into the
trenches.
"Disoroanixed RabbIe."
under the guidance Of such q man,
aided by an influential local clergyman {
and physician, the drafted men will 60
10 their environments In efficient, or.
yanized bodies rather than as disor.
yanized rabble and with . spirit Of
and comradeship. All the
ytrangeness of the new life will have
,een eliminated, and, since the men
will have been taught what lies before
hem, they will face duty with the con.
ldence of familiarity.
"The military instruction will COM
rise only the simplest evolutions, with
emphasis upon military cour.
where, how and whom to /
alute. A general supervision of this
,hase of the training for uniformity
md efficiency will be conducted by the
government military authorities. Ar
nories, public parks and squares, pub
lc school Fairgrounds, ETC.. will be
Utilized for the actual drilling. Drills
wo or three times week Of an hours
luration will be preferable to longer
,eriods at less frequent intervals.
Fitted for ofsicers.
competitive drills win be arranged
o stimulate interest and enthusiasm.
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