Evening journal., 1919-08-23
T0 give WELCOME
TO STATE SOLDIERS
Auxiliary Committee Will
Work VIII City Body III
Shaping Plans
RECEPTION DATE TO
BE ANNOUNCED LATER

An auxiliary committee Of fifteen
officers and fifteen enlisted men was de-
cided upon al last nights meeting Of
the welcome home commiltc for re
turned service men, held in Council
Chamber at the Municipal Building.
This committee is 10 be appointed by
| Former Governor Miller, and Will Co
/ operate in every possible way with the
original committee TO sound sentiment
both Of the public and Of The returned
| soldiers, sailors and marines themselves
In regards TO The proposed home COM
| ing celebration.
! Do the returned service men OF Del
ware really desire o formal Welcome
I Home? That was The question which
puzzled the committee. The opinions
OF several officers and men were quoted
which seemed TO show that the return
ed men did not desire formal recog-
milton Of their services The commit
tee, however, was Of the opinion that
the majority Of the men had not been
heard from, and that the proposed re-
ception would be acceptable TO prac-
tlcally all Of Delawares former sol
diers, sailors, and marines.
10 was also felt that IL the boys OF
the seth Pioneer Regiment had known
that the people really desired them to
parade those who had previously re-
marked that they were "fed up" on
celebrations would have been glad to
march II was also made known, how
ever. that most OF the boys nave only
heavy winter uniforms, some very
worn equipment, and some practically
no army clothing at oil. RUS was ad-
mitted 10 be a great impediment, as
was the fact that Il might prove some
what difficult TO get the boys together.
When the question Of the rumored
ill-feeling between some Of the enlisted (
men and officers was discussed, Presi- /
dent OF Council Lyon said that this I
prejudice should not be allowed to (
stand in the way OF the celebration.
It was the opinion Of Major Meredith /
/. Samuel that 10 see the Statue OF (
Liberty and be home once more was
reception enough for the soldiers
Captain Clarence NJ. Dillon stated, the
committee has received approximately
1900 replies, about One-seventh of the
number 10 whom cards were sent. The
cards sent out explained that the COM
mlttee would bear the travelling eX-
penses Of the men 10 and from points
OF embarkailon and the character of the
and celebration.
Some Of the members Of the commit
tee were inclined to think that the pro
portion Of replies received was an in
dlcaiion that the men were adverse TO
participation in such celebration.
Others were Of the opinion that the
committee had gotten the cart before
the horse" that the committee should /
go ahead and arrange for the affair. set
a date. and then scnd out tne invita- /
tlons. believing that most Of the men |
desired 10 participate, but were natur- !
ally adverse TO expressing themselves |
as wanting it.
The question OF devlsing ways and |
means TO meet bills incurred by the I
committee was raised. Mayor Taylor I
explained that the Farmers Bank VIII /
advance the money for the bills now /
due. with the understanding that the !
bank is TO he reimbursed by the COM /
millee after the affair is finished.