The Era-leader., 1918-09-26
Draft Ed men
TO Be Trained
BEFORE CALL
Nationwide Organization for
Preliminary Drill Launched by
| National Security League
Under Sanction Of Gen.
eral CroWder. I


shal General Crowder, the National Sc
curity League has undertaken the or
ganization throughout the country OF a
systematic preliminary course of train
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-
hensive plan, which will be put in oper'
alton in every state in the Union under
the direction Of q "Committee on Pre-
lIminary Training and Instruction OF
Men Registered for Draft" of which
Surgeon-General Charles T. Stokes, U.
s. N, 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 2S1 branch
es of the League, scattered in all parts
Of the country, and subcommittee OF
Surgeon 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, commandant
at 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 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-G 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 a
Captain, who will procure the assem-
bly, of the reglstrants 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 off.
Ger.
"(2) The Captain will also invite
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 well-befng
in order that when they 60 to camp
they shall present themselves with q
consciousness of knowledge which will
add to their strength and usefulness.
sat present the vast majority Of oul
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
If when they are called they are pro
vided with some knowledge Of military
training and 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 com
munity who are unable to get into thu
trenches.
"Disorganized RabbIe."
"Under the guidance Of such man
aided by an influential local clergyman
and physician, the drafted men will g
+o %boir oootopmonfS IN affinionf or