Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-06-11
HOME DEFENSE
LEAGUE CHANGES
Body Is Now a Local Council OF
National Council of
Defense.
AT MEMBERS IN BAND
EnIistments in Militia Reserve
Increasing-Want Still
More Men.

It was decided at meeting of the
executive committee of the local
Home Defense League last night tc
change the name of that organization
to the Perth Amboy Council OF De-
fense.
The action was taken following the
recommendation Of the president and
the State Council Of Defense that To-
cal council of defense be created IN
each municipality.
The change made last night places
the local organization in touch with
the National Council OF DEFENSE ana
the New Jersey State Council OF De-
fense Additions will be made to the
local council in order that every war
activity which is carried on IN this
city may be represented. this lnclud-
ing the Red Cross, Liberty Loan, Wal
Savings Stamps, Four Minute Men
camp activity, etc.
Major r. l.. Antisell reported on the
progress being made IN securing mem
hers for the local battalion Of the New
Jersey State Militia Reserve, there be-
Ing at the present time 325 men sign
ed up Of which 236 are actively anil
lated with the battalion, reporting a.
the drills which are held weekly. A
report was also made by Major Anti
sell, concerning the rifle range, WORK
upon which was commenced Saturday
afternoon, when more than fifty mem
bers were given instruction on the 2OO
ward range with the regulation army
rifles.
The council decided to make an ar
preparation for the erection Of small
house upon the range for the use OF
the militia reserve men and to make
some repairs to the range, which was
damaged by the heavy storms during
the winter. Target practice will be
held every Saturday afternoon at the
range for the members of the local
battalion in order to make the men ex-
pert with the use of the rifles.
Band is Growing
The band, which is to furnish an
important unit in the Militia Reserve
battalion, now has forty-seven mem
bers, Major Antisell announced, a
meeting Of the musicians having been
held last night at City Hall. The
members of the military band will
hold their first rehearsal on Monday
night in the high school. The band,
as soon as 1t has had a sufficient
number of rehearsals, and has been
uniformed, will appear each time the
reserves go on parade
The campaign for new members OF
the militia reserve is being steadily
carried on here, a total of sixteen
men having been signed up last week.
Mayor TenBroeck, who is a men,
Der Of the committee Of the State
Council of Defense, has been working
Tor some time upon the organization
Of a local Council Of Defense and
when the matter was brought before
The Home Defense League last night
It met with the hearty approval OF
all.
The plan of President Wilson is to
have absolutely every municipality,
Including townships, In the entire
United States uniformly organized.
The purpose of having Council OF
Defense in each city and town Is to
have in each locality clearing house
10 transmit promptly to all organized
war activities in such locality the re-
quests and requirements OF the Coun-
ell of National Defense through the
medium of the State Council Of De-
fense. The State Council Of Defense
may also from time to time request
the local council of defense to under
take the organization of new war
activities and possibly to perform
other duties. The mayor in every
place having such council is the
chief executive and chairman.
The organization of local councils
of defense has been long advocated
by President Wilson, which he has
declared will result, when thorough
ly carried out, in welding the nation
together as no nation of great size
has ever been welded before. 1t will
build up from the bottom an under
standing and sympathy and unity of
purpose and effort which will no
doubt have an immediate and deci-
sive effect upon our great undertake
Ing"