Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-02
TOR NATIONAL k||I||I|
Bill introduced In Congress for Re.
organization and Improvement
Of the Guard.
Appropriates s4,OOO,OoO Annually
for Maintsnarce and Equipment
Ulder Federal Control
Representative Hay Explains the
Bill and Talks Interestingly
Of Military Matters.

Washington, April 2.--Representatlve
Hay, OF Virginia. will Introduce today a
bill bringing the militia of the states
mere directly under the administration,
of the national government and maxi
ing all citizens between the ages of IS
and As years liable to military service
in the volunteer army in time OF peace.
BY the terms of the bill the militia so
reorganized is constituted a reserve
volunteer army for use during war, to
supplement the regular army.
f The federal governments hand
reaches out into the domain Of state
control most effectively in the provi-
sion fora board OF officers in each state
Who shall hold examinatipns for the
position of second lieutenant in the ma
|tional guard, such officers to be pro-
NOTED for merit and efficiency. This
provision Is aimed to give the guards
for officers not men chosen by the gov
ernors for political rea sons, but trained
soldiers, who will keep men and equip
ment up to the highest attainable STAN
|dard.
The bill contemplates a general
broadening of the basis of the national
guard, its equipment with the service
rifle and its complete organization in
time of war into regiments, brigades,
divisions and corps, with the three
battalion formation. as in the regular
army. and is designed to obviate the
necessity Of maintaining large stand-
ing army upon the expiration Of the
present law July 1, sol. increasing the
standing army to $1,000 and authorize
ing the present volunteer army OF 3d.
900.
The bill makes all citizens between
the ages of is and 45 liable TO military
service in the volunteer army.
1t appropriates $4,00o.00O annually for
the maintenance and equipment of the
national guard of the several states.
this forming the nucleus of the volun-
teer army.
II requires the secretary Of war to
keep in each state a supply OF ordnance
stores sufficient for ninety days use of
event of war.
1t provides a system of mobilization
for the guard by dividing the states
into military divisions
The measure receives additional im-
portance from the fact that Mr.. Hay
lis prominent member OF the COM
lnittee on military affairs and is chair
man8of the democratic caucus.
The time has come" said Mr.. Hay
lin explanation OF his bill, when 1t is
necessary to consider carefully the
question of the future military estab-
Ilishment Of the United States In the
minds of many the maintenance Of a
large standing army seems necessity.
and at first blush it would seem that
there IL no other way out of the dif1i-
Guilty which now confronts us.
ION the first day of July, 1901, the
present army will he reduced TO its
peace basis Of 26,sl0 men. Taking into
account the situation which may con-
front us at tina time, will 1T be necss-
sary to increase the regular establish
ment beyond that number?
This country has fought all OF her
wars With citizen soldiers. and no good
reason can be given for departing from
that policy. Money spent for the pur-
pose of organizing and equipping the
militia OF the states is money saved.
and the sooner this course is adopted
the better it will ne for the country