River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1920-06-17
PREPARING FOR GUARD CAMP


of the re-organized National Guard
units of the State of Wisconsin were
ordered into conference at Camp
Douglas for four days last week.
Practically every unit in the state
was represented. The conference
and courses of instrp elton were sup
erintended by officers Of the Regular
Army, detailed for that purpose. A
number of points Of great import
ance were brought out. The new
army bill has been signed by the
President within the last ten days.
This bill covers the complete re-or-
ganization Of the Army and National
Guard Under the present laws the
National Guard is an intregal part
Of the military forces of the nation.
The units are all recognized FEEDER
ally, their equipment is furnished by
the War Department and their in
struction is carried on under orders
Of the War Department. The pay OF
oficers and men has been raised and
correspondingly more is expected Of
them. Two drills week are now
ordered at the discretion of The
Company Commanders.
Co. "a" is to receive its complete
equipment during this month, in
Guiding uniforms, arms, ammunition,
canvas, etc In fact everything in
personal and Company equipment
that would be necessary for the or
ganization to take to the field if or
dered to do so with but few hours
notice. Among the different articles
of equipment will be five large army
trucks. The remaining trucks, 28
in number, viii for the time being be
kept st Camp Douglas.
Co. "a" goes to Camp Douglas on
July 18th, to remain for two weeks.
Every man is under orders at that
time and it is not optional with him
as to whether he goes or not. 1t is
to be hoped that business men will
not attempt to get men working for
them excused. Leaves will not be
granted except under the most urg-
ent circumstances, and it will be
merely a waste of time of the bust
ness man and the Co. Commander
to ask for them. When it is real
lied that it is necessary that this
organization arrive at Camp Douglas
with ffty-three men, that there are
at present fifty-fve men in the Com
pany. and that on or two of them
are absolutely unavailable, it will be
seen how impossible it will be for
the Company Commander to grant
leaves.
In most of the towns in which
Guard unit is located the business
men have assured their men that any
one existing in the unit will have no
trouble in getting released from their
work to attend encampment and have
promised that the difference in pay
received in Camp and their regular
wages will be made up on their re-
turn. Most places have created by
subscription a Company Fund. This
| has not and will not be asked for
! in this place. The Company Com
mander hopes, however, that bust
ness men will give their moral sup
port to the organization, and assure
the men working for them that they
need not far for their jobs and If
possible suffer no financial loss on
account of their attendance at camp
The law specifically provides that no
man can be discharged on account of
enforced absence under military ord
ers of this kind.
Co. "a" asks the fullest moral
support of all the citizens of this
vicinity. The presence of National
Guard organization is an asset to the
city. Out of the fifty-five Federally
recognized outfits in the state, River
Falls was the seventh, being the first
motor supply company completed
Our men are taking an active inter
est and are resolved that they will
show up as we'll as any organization
in Camp. Get behind the men and
give them all the encouragement you
can. You don't know when you will
expect them to stand between your
home and trouble Stand by them
and they will stand by you when you
need them.