Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-02-04
sJSP
AN ORGANIZATION APPRECIATED

Home Defense. With the state militia being mustered INTO euef"
ouioo oDd marching off TO war, and with all kinds of German propa-
o.nda Uoinp o n n knew exactly what would happen should the
United States get into the struggle, as it eventually did
More or less mysterious fires were taking place in different parts
of the country, vessels loaded with munitions and supplies were beng
sunk, at their wharves, strikes were being fostered through hldden III
auences, bridges were being blown up and there was good reason %
believe that there would be trouble of a more o r less serious nature
once hostlities were openly declared.
As a matter of precauton sO-called home guards were organized
and equipped in nearly every community OF any importance OFnianS
volunteered to serve for a few hours each week to drill and do guaro
duty as occasion required in order to assure safety to the community
1t was a highly patriotic move and no one will ever know how many
lives or how much property the organization of these home gnards
saved.
With every community thus prepared for any emergency, ur
man agents, of which we now know the country was Hooded found
themselves frustrated at every turn. Here and there, 1t is true they
did succeed in starting something, but, thanks to the efficient work OIL
the home guards, comparatively little was accomplished.
We all know how proud we we're of the Perth Amboy Home De
Tense when il appeared on parade for the first time. We we'll remem-
Der what a favorable impression the boys made. People who hd De-
come alarmed over rumors and who feared the worst should the United
States enter the war, had a certain feeling OF security after me nom
Defense had made its appearance and the fit condition in which the
companies were in was Noted.
Then came the test drill and the riot call in response to which the
Home Defense acquitted itself in fine style. The smooth and eff
cient manner in which the men responded and were hurried away to
the scene of the supposed disturbance gave a added sense OF securty
to the public.
But the final test came early in the morning of October ga
morning never to be forgotten in Perth AmbOy. The great shell load
ing plant at Morgan was being destroyed by fire. The first explosion
that started the fire had broken hundreds of windows and done con-
siderable damage. When word reached the authorities shortly after
midnight that the fire was beyond control and that another explosion
even worse than the first, would take place shortly unless a miracle
happened, it vas the Home Defense that eams 30 the rescue and saved
the city from panic, loot and disturbances of an e%"s "As'usi
nature.
Already thieves we're beginning to ply their nefarous trade and
when the second big explosion came, ripping out store fronts and ex-
posing thousands of dollars worth of property it was the Home De
tense that guarded the city, assisted the police in preserving order and
gave the people a sense of security.
All during that momentuous Saturday, when homes were aban-
ooned and left wide open for anyone and everyone to walk in and do
as they please, it was the Home Defense patroling every block IN the
city that assured the proper protection and made 1t possible 0 people
who had fled the city TO return later and find nothing missing ever
though there was considerable damage.
Then that Saturday night and the Sunday following the lone
Defense was constantly on duty, shift after shift relieving each other
at stated periods of the night and day, permitting thousands who hd
not left their homes TO go to bed and rest in absolute security
Thieves and professional yeggmen coming in from outside, thanks
to the efficiency of the Home Defense, found 1t Impossible " operate
except under great risk.
If ever al organization justified its existence, the Home Defense
did during the Morgan explosion and the days Immediately after.
But the Home Defense accomplished still another important work.
something altogether OF a different nature. II inrhishea d uanHh
school for the bows who were about to enter the federal service. Many
a letter has been received in this city from boys in camp telling OIL ther
rapid promotion because of the experience gained in the Home Denise
ranks. Many parents have been made proud of their son who had been
advanced to corporal and then to sergeant within a few weeks after
being mustered into the national army because OF his faithful work
here at home in the Home Defense. Once more the organization mas
justified itself.
the militia reserve, as it is now called, is not over by any means. 1t Is
gratifying to know that the enthusiasm of the members keeps up. A
battalion band has been organized and the city has had occasion to ap-
0reciate its good work.
With the war ended and the period of reconstruction begun we
find ourelves confronted with new dangers. The spirit of Boshevism
is abroad. We see lawlossness and anarchy sweeping across Russia
and into Germany. There III tants of it in England, France ana
Italy. Only a day or two ago a meeting was held in Washington at
which the Bolsheviki was upheld right under the shadow of the capt
toll of this great democracy.
With such a spirit of unrest no one knows what is likely to happen
or where trouble is likely to break loose next. 1t is well, therefore,
that the Home Defense is still in existenee. AS long as the battalion OF
the militia reserve continues to drill once a week the people can rest as
sured that should any disturbance here get beyond the control of he
police force, the riot call would bring four companies of well trained
and disciplined men under arms.
But to call these men, all of them private citizens, out to do duty
in weather like this they must be properly equipped and made as com
Portable as possible.