The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-19
IN A FIGHTER CLUB
Army and Navy Men and Ma
rines Organize Here.
Statewide Organization Formed
in Topeka Last Night.

A preliminary organization, looking
to a permanent association of soldiers,
sailors and marines who served in the
war, when the Kansas men overseas
return, was effected Tuesday night in
the supreme court rooms in the state
house. The temporary organization, it
was announced, will be whipped into
shape and be placed in the hands of
men in military service when all have
returned to use as a machine in build
ing up the permanent club. In the
meantime it will serve as an organiZa-
ton and fellowship unit for men as
they return and for those who have
already returned.
A board of eight, soon to be en-
larged to fifteen, was named at the
Tuesday night meeting to perfect plans
of the temporary organization. The
board includes: Brig. Gen. Wilder S.
Metcalf. Lawrence; Lieut.. Col. Frank
Travis, lola; Joseph Conneli, Topeka;
Maurice Mcneil, Columbus; Hal Har-
Ian, Manhattan: Nelson Meade, To-
peka; Eugene Stanley, Wichita; Clark
son Millspaugh, Topeka; Marion Paul,
Blue Rapids, and H. McIvor, Wichita.
1t is planned to make the board of
organization representative of every
part of the state and of both enlisted
men and officers, as the organization
is to include all men who wore the
uniform regardless of rating or rank.
Coordinate to the temporary state
organization, similar unit is planned
In every county in the state. Upon the
return of all overseas men delegates
to a state convention will be elected
from the county units, and the con-
vention will draw the final plans for
the permanent Kansas organization.
Won't Enter Politics.
Colonel Harvey, Brigadier General
Metcalf and Ike Lambert, Emporia,
placed the plans of temporary organ
ization before the meeting. Harvey
and Metcalf acted as chairmen of the
meeting in the absence of Gen. c. I.
Martin, who was unanimously named
chairman of the Topeka meetings.
Lambert brought out the fact that
number of soldiers and sailors soviets
have been organized turnout the coun
try for political purposes. Sentiment
of the Topeka meetin~ tended to con-
denim this movement and it was as
serted that all detectives should be
non political.
Sentiment also was decidedly against
conscientious DIRECTORS. They will not
be admitted to any Kansas organiZa
ton if the men preserA last night have
their way about it. Neither will men
with dishonorable discharges; all 9TH
ers in active military service being
eligible.
Plans were ALSO made to keep the
ball rolling" In addition to tempo
rary organizations in every county as
soon as practicable. a publicity COM
| fnittee was appointed and it was voted
to hold meetings in the supreme court
rooms every Tuesday night. These
meetings will be open to officers and
enlisted men of every active branch of
military service and their wives. fam :
lilies and sweethearts. Dwight Thach-
err Harris, recently discharged as a
lieutenant in the army and now with
the Topeka Daily Capital. and Harry
E. Caylor of the State Journal. for
merly in the navy, were appointed to
head the publicity work in conjunction
too the activities of the organization
hna I'd