Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1917 — ORGANIZING A STATE MILITIA [ARTICLE]

ORGANIZING A STATE MILITIA

J. M. Hauser Has Received Instructions to !*roceed With Work. There has been considerable discussion of the organization of a home guard in this county. J. M. Sauser, who is chairman of the military affairs of the Jasper County Council of Defense, has taken this matter up with the state council and in answer has been advised' that in place of the home guards he is asked to organize a militia company, for which the following plan is offered: I. GENERAL PLAN 1. Local units may be organized in any county where the manifested interest seems to justify such an organization. 2. Various local units will be mustered in as regular units of the state militia as soon as qualified according to adopted regulations. (a) Regulations -1. Strength of fifty enlisted men and three officers. 2. Officers and men must pass a fairly rigid mental and physical examination. 3. Enlistment to be for duration of war and for service within the state only. 4. No financial compensation will be given except in case of active duty, said compensation to not exceed that of national guard members. 5. Best of units mustered into state militia to be equipped as rapidly as possible. Equipped units to be distributed as generally as possible throughout the state. 1 6. After -■ being mustered in state units must drill at least once each week and must maintain an average attendance of at least 60

per cent, otherwise they will be subject to dismissal. 7. State militia to be subject to call of governor at all times. 8. Age qualification will be 18 to 45 years. Men of conscription age must be exempt from federal service to be eligible for state militia. 9. Number of units mustered in will probably have to be limited. 10. Units will be assigned to battalions and regiments as rapidly as possible. 11. PRIMARY STEPS 1. Secure services of press in campaign. Such infromation .as now available will be sent to county organizers and disseminated throughout the medium of the press. 2. Any town so desiring may begin organizing at once with the understanding that the local unit will eventually become a part of the state militia provided it meets specified requirements. 3. The requirements will be explained through the press. > ' 4 As soon as the requirements have been met by local units applications for mustering in as regular units of the state militia may be made to the State Council of Defense. . j M. Sauser, Rensselaer,. Indiana County Organizer of State Militia. Dear Sir: We are pleased to take this opportunity pf confirming

your appointment as organizer of | state militia for your county and desire to wish you abundant success in your work. Behind every movement of importance lies a definite purpose or motive. There are many excellent reasons why we should organize a state militia at this time. Chief among these is the fact that with the drafting of our present national guard into federal service we will be left without troops in the state subject to the orders of our governor. Of course, at the present time there does not seem to be the remotest possibility of an invasion of our state by our enemies, nevertheless there is a real need for a body of troops subject to the call of the governor for duty in the state. The duties of such a body of troops will be similar to the work now being done by the national guard, such as guarding bridges and ammunition plants, the quelling of strikes or mutinies nf various kinds, and the performing of other duties for which they may be needed as the war progresses. We are enclosing copies of a plan of organization which we have adopted. We wish to supplement this plan with a little added information which we feel will be of benefit to you, ’ ' ■ In the first place we want to emphasize the fact that there will be no limit to the number of units Which may be organized in your county. Of course there must be a limit to the number of upits eventually mustered into the regular 'militia service and it may be

that some of the units organized may never become a part of the regular state militia. However, all will be given an opportunity to make good and as many as possible will be accepted. As to the physical and mental fitness of the men enrolled in the various local units we would say that no examination will I until the time comes for mustering the units into the regular state militia. However, the organizers of local units should be careful to enroll only- stich men as they feel reasonably certain will be able to pass a fairly rigid physical and mental examination. We have decided to do away with the use of the term “home guard’’ and substitute for it the more appropriate “state militia.” During the civil war the home guard organizations of the various states were for the most part places of refuge for slackers. Owing to this fact the term “home guard’’ carries with it the thought of slackers evading their duty at the front. The gtate militia which we are now organizing is not a place for slackers. Men of conscription age will not be accepted unless they are’ exempt from federal service. We, therefore, “trust that you will impress upon your publicity agencies the fact that we are organizing a state militia and not a home guard. Simply request that the term “state militia” be used to the exclusion of “home guard.” . , With a definite plan of action before you we trust that you will proceed at once with the -organiza-

Hon of local units in your county. First of all you should enlist the services of the press. You should get in touch with the various newspapers in your county, explain to them bur general plan of organization, and persuade them to give this movement all possible eo-oper-afion You should not only ad ver tise the movement itself, but yOu should advertise yourself as county organizer and ask that all parties in the county interested in the state militia movement communicate with you- at once. At the outset we will depend for the most part on-the newspapers 'for our publicity and we ffeel certain you will be able to secure splendid results in your county through 'the co-operation of your- loyal newspapers. Your first object should be that of locating competent men in various communities to superintend the organizing of local units. We feel sure, you will be able to locate many such parties your county who will be glad of the opportunity of serving their country and state. If possible the men appointed should have military experience at their command. Although this is advisable it is not absolutely necessary because in some communities will be found men who have had experience in the uniform rank work of the various lodges who will be well qualified for organizing local units. In this connection we would suggest that it will be better to delay a little and eventually secure the right man for this work than to make a hasty choice which might prove unsatisfactory a little later. We want you to keep us advised of the progress you are making. It is our desire to co-operate with you just as much as possible and we feel certain that by working together we will be able to make things hum in your county. Of course this work will demand a considerable portion of your time, but wo are confident that you will give this time willingly and energetically. We want you to feel free to call upon us for help, advice or information at all times. Why not start the ball rolling immediately upon receipt of this communication. 1 Verv "truly yours. E. M. WILSdN, Chairman Committee Military Affairs. . All patriotic citizens, either American born or naturalized, who desire to be enrolled in this organization and who can fulfill the above requirements, should apply immediately to undersigned, stating postoffice address and telephone number. Greatly undersized men should not apply.

J. M. SAUSER,

County Organizer.