The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-03
AID FOR NATIONAL GUARD.
Capt. j. b. Curtis Returns from q
Washington Trip.

Cant. James B. Curtis has returned from
washington. He was there with Generals
Bend. of Minnesota; Axline, of Ohio, and
Reece. of Illinois, members of the eXecu-
tive committee of the National Associa-
ton of the National Guard, to urge that
the annual appropriation for the National
Guard be increased. General Marsh, OF llli-
nois. chairman of the committee on mill
tarv affairs of the House, spoke most IA
vorabIy and from the interest everywhere
shown Capt Curtis has strong hopes that
the appropriation will be increased. The
committee interviewed prominent members
Of the House on the subject among them
Speaker. Reed. Mr.. Reed asked number
of questions, and impressed the committee
with the idea that he is favorable to the
proposition, although he did not commit
himself.
1.-THE annual appropriation now" said
Captain Curtis yesterday, lis but $400,0 900.
This is allotted to the various States ac-
cording to their population. The portion In
diana has been receiving is not sufficient
to equip a battalion. In 1880 the annual APP
preparation was 100000 and it ought to be
s., 600, OO0 now, but we only asked for $1,000
900, as we knew that there is deficit III
the revenues and that the committee on
ways and means might balk a large, APP
preparation. If the appropriation we nave
asked is granted Indiana's yearly allotment
would amount to about $3o,OOO. In lew
years it would be possible with TINS sum 10
make a creditable showing. AS thlngs now
are modern arms could not be bought TOR
a battalion TO say nothing or blankets, tents
and clothing. The National Guard Is prac-
tically a part of the United states army;
1t is subject to. call by the president at
any time and as he generally issues MS
orders through some army officer the guard
falls under the command of army ofncerS.
Companies of the guard may be sent from
one State to another. Indiana mlltlamen
in cases Of emergency might be sent to
Maine. There is a popular opinion tnat COM
panies cannot be sent out OF the state, but
this is incorrect. They can be sent any
place just as the army can. knowing
something of the financial questions in
voved we decided to ask only I,VJ00VO. We
did not want TO have the committee Jolly
us and then ask if our estimate could not
be cut in two. There was nothing OF this
kind suggested. The committee appeared
to agree that the appropriation asked was
entirely reasonable. We were given all the
time we wanted 10 present our ideas The
national association is made up Of repre-
sentatives from the National Guard OF the
different States.
Eyes. there was lots of talk about none
tary affairs" said Captain Curtis IN an
swer to question. We heard that subject
discussed everywhere, in the committee
rooms, cloak rooms. behind screens and
every place. We were there. OF course,
when the tight was hot | sat in the Senate
gallery when the Teller resolution was up.
Some of the speeches We're most interest
ing While the resolution was UP in the
Senate there was a rumor that II was to
be sprung in the House 1t was premature,
however. Speaker Reed promptly squelched
while we took no part In the discussion
with any one-we were there on another