The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-26
URGES BIRMINGHAM MEN TO ENLIST M RESERVE CORPS
President Wilkinson Of Local Association Points Out Nov. II Is Final Date World War Officers Are Eligible

Maj. Horace c. Wilkinson, officers reserve corps, president of the Bir- mingham Reserve Officers associa- tton. has issued a statement pointing ouc that November Il is the last date upon which former officers of the World war can qualify as members of the reserve without special Cx- animation and urging ex-serVice men to join the reserve.
 "Dpe to the untiring and intense efforts of Lieut.. Col. T. S. Mocrman, ably assisted by Lieut.. Col. l. 0. Mathews and Col. John S. Sewell, Birmingham now enjoys a Reserve Corps association that is second to none in the country" says Major Will kinson's statement. Every branch of the service is represented and a very high percentage of the eligible ex-officers in the district are in the reserve. Interesting, instructive and enthusiastic dinners are held on the first Thursday in each month. and some of the inost distinguished sol diers in America, notably Generals Pershing and Bullard, having cheer fully accepted invitations to address the Birmingham Reserve association. O O O
 Now Making Special Effort
 Owing to the regulations relating to November Il. outlined above, as- sociations of reserve officers through out the are making an eI- fort to add every available ex-officer to their roster before the time limit expires. Atlanta, Chattanooga and other cities near Birmingham class, located in close proximity to an army post, are specially favored by circumstances, because 1t Is easier to excite and keep up interest where the reserve officer has the privilege and opportunity of visiting an army post, getting the army atmosphere, and appropriating the numerous ex- cellent instructors to be found at such places than In localities not so favored.
 "In spite of the handicap of the lack of a regular army post, Bir- mingham must not be found wanting when the final percentage is figured. As a matter of civic pride alone the press and business interests of the city should see to it that no city of our class surpasses Birmingham in the percentage of eligibles on the roll of the reserve.
 One great object of all officers in joining the reserve is to assist in making the national defense so efficient that future wars may be prevented. No man who ever at tempted to lead men under fire wants to be called upon to perform the serv- ice again, but we recognize that adequate preparation is the best pre- VentlVe at the present stage or the worlds history.
 Defines Reserve Corps
 Many citizens frequently ask, What is the reserve?' despite the large amount of publicity given the plan of the War Department fer the defense of the country embodied in an act of Congress known as the national defense act.
 "The officers reserve corps fre- quently referred to as the reserve, is composed of ex-officers of the World war, and graduates of colleges where military training is given, who have demonstrated sufficient capacity for leadership and aptitude for mili- tary duty to be entrusted with the power of command.
 There are a number of divisions in the plan of national defense, known as reserve divisions, that in time of peace are skeletonized. The reserve officer is assignd to one of these divisions and to a particular regiment and company of that divi- sion. In time of peace he has noth- ing to do except avail himself of the opportunities for instruction that the government offers him. He draws no pay except when on active duty and cannot be ordered to active serv- ice in time of peace without his con- sent. He is eligible to 15 days train- ing each year.
 Tn time of war: if the forces of the nation were mobilized, the re- serve officer would know where to go who to report to, and what to do when he arrived. The delay and con-