Evening star., 1924-08-21
DEFENSE DAY TEST
/. A|M|SEXPLA|NED
Upheld as Precautionary
Measure at Army Night
Program at Central.

Aims and objects of National De-
fense Test day were explained to a
large audience in Central High School
Stadium last night, at an Army night
program. staged under the joint auspices
of the community centers department
of the school system and the United
States Army.
Lieut.. Col. John Scott. executive Off
Ger of the Washington units of the Or
ganized Reserves; Engineer Commits
soner J. Franklin Bell and Maj. Gen.
Anton Stephan, commander of the 29th
Division of the National Guard which
includes that of the District, were the
speakers.
Col. Scott declared that local citizen
soldiers are proud of their commits
sions and service in the Army. but that
they know the lessons of history, and
while desiring to avoid war, still recog-
nize the fact that human nature has
not changed since 1914.
They hope" said he, that human
nature will never so change that red
blooded men will be unwilling to fight
for their country, loved ones and
liberty"
First Test. Bell Says.
Commissioner Bell said that on
September II, America would have
the first test of the National defense
plan, as evolved by Congress in the
National Defense act four years ago.
He pointed out that this plan is the
work of the best though of legis-
lators and military leaders Of the Ma
ton, but emphasized the fact that the
test is not a militaristic movement,
but exactly the opposite. 1T is part
of a thoroughly considered plan." he
said, ito provide for the defense of
the Nation without creating a large
permanently armed force"
Gen. Stephan made plea for vol
unteers. He gave short history of
the National Guard since it's organi-
cation in 1887 and showed that during
the World War more than 500 Army
officers were supplied by it. He de-
clared that unpreparedneSs at the be-
ginning of each war necesstated reck
less expenditure of money, enormous
loss of materials and ineXcuSable sec
rifice of life.
Agree to Cooperate.
The following organizations have
pledged their cooperation for De-
fenSe day:
Washington Board of Trade, r. r.
Andrews Paper Company, Garry Ice
Cream Company, American Bankers
Association. Acacia Mutual Life ASSo-
citation, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity,
blStTlct OF (OlumD Dla society, u. "A. H.,
District of Columbia Chapter. Mill
tary Order of the World: Guy V.
Henry Garrison, No. 9, Army and Navy
Union; District of Columbia Chapter,
American Red Cross; District of CO.
lumbia Society. Daughters of Found
ers and Patriots of America; Bar AS
sociation of District of Columbia,
Mount Pleasant Citizens Association.
Little Art Shop, Instructive Visiting
Nurses Society, Sons of Veterans.
L. S. A; District of Columbia Chap
ter, Department Veterans of Foreign
Wars, Georgetown Citizens Associa-
tion, the American Cross of Honor.
Womens' Relief Corps, G. A. r;
House & Hermann, District of CO.
lumbia Department, American Le-
gion, Stuart Walcott Post. No. 10;
Lincoln Park Citizens Association,
Takoma Park Citizens Association,
Mid-City Citizens Association, Bar
ber & Ross, Stone & Fairfax,
Lansburgh & Bros, Mount Vernon
Savings Bank tpledge received by
telephone). Chamber of Commerce