The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
State Guard Organizations Are
7. All Active Now.
Adiutant General Huffman Is
Back From Inspection Trip.
HE: FINDS MANY INTERESTED
Companies Help To Keep Pa
:, triotism Fires Going.
TIfere Are More Than $50 Com
:. panies in State.

Charles S Huffman, adjutant gen.
eral. returned today from an inspec-
tioniof state guard organizations in
number of southeastern Kansas towns.
The "trip is the first of a series of in
specGions to be made turnout the state.
More than $50 guard units are now
organized in Kansas with a member
ship in excess of $1,000.
All Kansas is awake to the neces-
sity of local guards according to the
flood of mail which has been coming
to General Huffman. Reports indi-
cate-that practically all companies are
drilling regularly and equipment is
being supplied local business interests
as a patriotic service in the war crisis.
Many of the remote western counties
are becoming thoroly organized and
commissions are being sent this week
to officers in command of the various
units.
In spite of the fact that the local
defense organiZa tons now show an
enrolment of / 900 men, many new
applications are being made for per-
mission to form companies and bat
talions- There is little doubt that the
enlistment for the state will this spring
reach a total of 0.000. Enlistment of
men is being authorized in a numb Der
of countiess and keen interest is re-
ported Eromaey very leeality in the state.
Guard Patriotism, Too.
The state defense companies are not
only prepared for the protection of
states patriotism on straight. Scores
OF state guard units are investigating
reports of disloyalty.
In Blue Rapids, Marshall county,
four cars loaded with state guardsmen
last week drove to the home of Fred
Fiel, who was reported to have made
unpatriotic ntterances. .Fiel was in
Vited to come to town. He was reti-
cent, but soon changed his mind. In
the Commercial club rooms Fiel was
made to kiss the American flag and
swear allegiance to this country. Then
he was invited to sign a check for
500 payable to the Red Cross. Fiel
heSitated, but the committee gave him
five minutes in which to decide. Fiel,
who had refused to contribute to the
Red. Gross, signed the check
Out in Spearville, Ford county,
Captain Templeton's organization has
been reporting for drill service at 6
O'Clock in the morning. Even the be-
low zero weather failed to cool the ar
don of the organization of 12S men.
Meade Company Active.
< report today from Meade showed
the organization was well equipped as
a Rsult of loyal local support. Meet
ings have been held each week. Only
one, meeting was abandoned since the
company organized July 1, last year.
That was during the Christmas holi
Seneca business men have provided
fund of $500 with which uniforms
have been provided for the men who
are1now we'll equipped. At Lawrence,
a fund has been provided sufficient to
buy uniforms for every man in the
several companies
Records in the office of Col. Jona-
than d. Norton show many other
companies are rapidly securing equip
ment- Nearly a score of letters out
lining organization and equipment
progress were received today.
The showing of the companies in
southeastern Kansas was most graft
flying and inspiring" said General
HuRnIan- "All of the companies mad
excallent showings and l was greatly
pleased with my trip
Owing to the lack of state and fed
erafs4unds. the expense of equipment
is peing met by local organizations.
But there seems to be no place on the
Slaeker list for the state guard towns.