Our Committee on Recruiting, formed in response to Governor Bickett’s request, forwarded by Adjutant General Royster, has organized, and has had the benefit of various suggestions from Capt. A. T. Rich, U.S.A., and also from Col. S. W. Minor and Major S. C. Chambers of the Third Regiment N. C. N. G., as well as from officers of Co. M., the local unit.

We are impressed with the desirability of co-ordinating and systematizing all of the recruiting efforts being made in the towns in which there are companies of the Third Regiment. We are writing to suggest that a committee appointed from your organization arrange to meet with similar committees from the other towns on a date soon to be announced. The purpose of this meeting would be to discuss and adopt desirable means of stimulating recruiting, including methods of advertising and trips in the surrounding country for the purpose of making talks to the prospective soldiers.

The Third Regiment now consists of 736 men. The Regiment is to be recruited up to the full quota, 2002 men. As about 33 1/3 % of recruits are later rejected for physical defects or because they have mothers, wives or children dependent upon them, it will be necessary to enlist 2000 or more men. The Government’s first step is to recruit existing military units up to full strength. When the present National Guard regiments are full, all other recruits will be assembled at the various concentration camps like Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., each camp to have about 25,000 men. Once there, the recruits may be assigned to a regiment in which there are no other men from his locality. Therefore, the point may well be emphasized that those who enlist now will be among the men from their own localities. As the conscription bill in Congress is certain to be passed---probably this week---making all unmarried men between the ages of 19 and 25 liable to draft, there will be no escape. So the point of getting in with their own friends should be emphasized. Moreover, this bill provides that if the Mayor or other designated person does not furnish the quota of men asked from his locality, he will be fined or imprisoned, or both.

It is proposed that we adopt a button which would show that a man had enlisted as a loyal citizen and that he had been rejected for physical defects or because of having dependents. As methods of publicity, it is suggested that all merchants and all business houses be urged to have flags on display at all times; that placards urging enlistment be displayed prominently in all stores and public places; that war uniforms and accoutrements and ammunition be displayed in prominent store windows along with recruiting placards; that we secure from the War and Navy Departments moving picture films for display in theatres, showing troops on duty; that the Ministers be urged to preach on Patriotism and the desirability of youths responding to the call---in short, that all means be used to stimulate recruiting and bring these units up to full strength. Every company is now far below its full quota. There should be 147 men to a company and 12 companies to a regiment, plus the headquarter’s company, the supply company and the machine gun company.

Trusting that you will see the desirability of having your committee co-operate with ours and that it will be possible for your committee to meet with ours within the next week---date to be announced later---I remain