Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-02-23
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1918
OOIOlsIGD MEN WANTED FOR THE
NINITTY-SECOND DIVISION.
February 8, 1918.

Dear Strive arc pleased 70 all.
nounco that authority has just been
granted by tho War Department
whereby colorcd men Of suitable ages
may enlist voluntarily for military
seryice and be transferred to tAc 92nd
Army Division. This authority will
greatly facilitate tho proper organiza
ton of this Division and bring our
technical units up to the desired stand
ard. Up to this time We have been
Handicapped by woeful shortage OF
specially trained men-men skilled i'll
tho various trades-such as civil engi
necrs, Stenographers typists, auto re-
paircrs, electricians, telegraph, radio
operators, line mon cablcsplicers draft
men, plumbers, pharmacists, harness
makers clerks, etc, During brlef
publicity campaign we secured mum
Der Of such men but the need is still
far greater than the supply. Under
the authority referred to above we
hope to secure a full quota OF men OF
this class. and in flIrth clanoe of
this object we ask your earnest CO.
operation.
1t is requested that you make an
appeal through your estimable paper
presenting our needs to your readers.
Army Division Is tho Negro Army
Division,--the Races Offering in the
"War for Democracy and World III
berty" and it Is officered largely
By men Of their own race, whereby
tho obligation dcvOlvcS upon the race
to insure maximum Of efficiency
for the Division without which we
cannot discharge fully that duty Of
patriotism and loyalty We all owe to
homo and country.
The strength OF the Division as
whole must depend upon the strength
Of its component parts. Our highest
purpose Is to mako every arm and
branch Of this Division as strong as
tho best material in the race will
make ii. In addition to the native pride
OF tho Negro in his country and race,
there arc other strong incentives
which should lead the qualified Ne
gro to answer the call Of his country
at this timo. Splendid opportunities
are open to men Of special training,
such as many OF our young men pos
sess, in the army. Brains and ability
are OF premium in the army more so
than in civil life. Rapid advancement
and promotion invariably fall to the
lot Of men OF ability whether they
enter rs drafted men or as volunteers
The great advantage however, to the
man OF draft ago who volunteers Is
that he begins his advancement soon
or than tho man who waits to be
drafted. Large numbers of men OF
proper qualification arc needed for
commissioned and non commissioned
officers. Men who were drafted only
two months ago arc now candidate
students in tho Officers Training
Camp. These camps are open to men
Of proven ability. The First Step Is
To Enlist.
The National administration. the War
Department., tho officers directly in
charge OF tho Division, the Negro
Race. the United States and the world
at large are Watching to sec how we
shall pay our part. Those who know
us best believe. We Will Do Our Full
Duty. The past record OF the race
whether as civilian or soldier indicat
es that they will not be disappointed.
At the Same time it must BIO impress
ed upon the civilians the members
OF the race who arc not in ranks-that
there is much they can do to bring
the Negro Army Division up to the
full measure Of tho Nation expecta-
ton, and there is no doubt that n full
and just measure Of appreciation will
ne ACCORDED tho race III proportion TO
the manner in which it responds to
the country's need in this emergen-
cy.
We shall be very thankful for any
publicity you may be able to give this
matter, directing that all correspon-
dence be addressed to: "Personnel
Officer 92nd Division, Camp Funston
Kansas.
Very respectfully,
T. #. THOMPSON, list Lieut..
Infantry, N. A. Assistant Per
sonnet Officer 92nd Division.