The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-10-08
PLAN ID ORGANIZE ENTIRE REGIMENT
 OF INF FANTRy HERE
Chamber of Commerce Con- mittee to Secure Coop eration of Employers,
 Assuring Support

Under the direction of Maj. Lucien C. Brown and with the active cooper ation of the Birmingham Chamber or Commerce. an active campaign is now being conducted in an effort to recruit the Alabama National Guard to it's authorized strength. It is the aiTo or this campaign to raise an entire .n- fantrv regiment in the Birmingham district, with headquarters in Bir- ming ham, and to equip it completely and develop it into well drilled TO- ganization as rapidly as possible.
 It is planned to have a company at woo6lawn for men living at East Lake, WooGlawn. and West End; one at North Birmingham for men living at Royles, Tarrant City. Sayreton, Low isburg and North Birmingham. There will be a company at Ensley for those who live there. at Pratt City and ln Vivian Two companies will probably be formed in Bessemer and 1t IS hop9d to raise one in Fairfield. All the otn- CT companies will be ,n Birmingham
 The company to be formed in Bir- mingham will be company k, formerly the old Birmingham Rifles; already more than SO men have signed up for this company. for it is known that IL
 is to be commanded by one of its of ficers during the world war. rms compauy has a record second to none in the state having served in the clvll and Spanish American wars, as well as in the conflict just ended.
 An attempt is being made to interest all the business men in Birmingham m this movement and 10 secure from them a promise of cooperation and willingness to encourage their em- ployes to join the guard. Committees from the Chamber or Commerce Will canvass tho city today. getting cards posted in the various stores and offices authorizing the employees to join ana stated that no employe will be preJ udiced in promotion, pay. or efficiency on account of absence in the perform ance of military duty ordered by the proper authority.'
 The equipment for a full battalion has been shipped and all who Join now can be fully outfitted without the delay that characterized the Ma tional Guard in former years. All equirment is brand new and absolutely the latest the army has. The tempo rary armory is situated at lS-o1 , Fourth avenue. but it is expected that on completion of the new postotiiee the present federal building Will pe used as an armorv. Recruiting ser geants will be on duty at the armory tonight as well as army doctors to
 
 plicants. Ex-service men, recently discharged from the army. navy, or marine IDS, can enlist for one year. Such mon are urged to come in now. as the men who enlist first will have preference | in the promotions. as new capanies are organized Any member of the guard over el years of age who can pass 1 the physical examination IS, eligic1e !, for commission in the guard. Men 1 who have held commissions Tn the
 army. navy. or marine corps can b. l com m issioned in their former rank at the present time.
 | Under a bill recently passed by the state legislature. the state of Alabamn l will pay to each company $50 q month the county pays the armory rent; the l United States army or navy pays one | fourth army or navy pay to enlisted men. The men are required to drill | only two hours each week and dgllls are so arranged as not to interfere | with employment. Every member of | the National Guard is exempt from stree; tax. road duty and jury duty.