Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-18
NATIONAL GUARD D,ssoLvlNe.
Minnesota's Guard on the Verge Of
Dissolution-Little Interest.

Minnesota's Guard on the Verge Of
Dissolution-Little Interest.
! Minneapolis, Mimi. Dec. 1S.-It Is
probable that the inability on the part
of both the state and city to furnish
| adequate accommodations for the local
companies of the National Guard will
cause the resignation Of number OF
! prominent officers who are now serving
| in various capacities in that organiza-
| ton.
| For a number of months the attend
ance at the regular drills of the local
companies has been rapidly decreasing.
The men, as soon as their term OF serv-
| ice has expired. refuse to enlist for an
other term, and the work OF getting re-
eruits. the officers say, has of late been
| fraught with many difficulties. Many
| CT the enlistments expire during the fall
| and winter, and this year large num-
| Der of guardsmen who have served the
state for many years have left the serv-
| ice because of the disagreeable and in
adequate quarters.
Some of the captains say they can not
muster one-third of their commands to
Grill, and that they are absolutely dis
susted with the unhealthy condition
that now prevails in the local compa-
MES. Battalion drills have been aban-
doned on account of lack of room. and 1t
| is with great difficulty that company
of infantry can go thru the foot maneu-
vers in the drill hall Of the armory.
Maj. Frank T. Corriston, OF the Sec
ond Battalion Of the First Regiment,
when seen yesterday, reluctantly adj
hoc
marked falling off Of interest in local
National Guard circles and that the men
are leaving for good at the expiration
of their term OF service.
ut is apparent" said Maj. Corriston.
that something must be done by the
legislature or the council to provide
more accommodation for the Second
Battalion. Minneapolis has the worst
armory in the country for g. city of its
size am not directly aware that the
resignation Of some Of the officers is be-
ing contemplated, but a crisis in the
feeling of encouragement which exists
among the officers and men seems inev-
liable.
"The legislature ought to provide for
the accommodation Of the National
Guard It is not a local organization,
but one to protect the interests of the
state. With the 50, 600 that was author
lied by the city council, but which was
turned down by the board of tax levy,
we could have erected an addition for
the storage and protection Of the artil-
lery equipments, which now take up
nearly one-half of the armory drill hall
This would have given us enough of drill
= 1,o, Tod Hn
stringent demands for some time. The
present quarters offer no inducement
to the men, and am not at all surprised
that the interest is abating. Something
must soon be done.
Capt. C. c. Bennett, of Battery B, says
he will be one Of the officers who, will
resign unless further accommodations
for the National Guard are made. This,
he said, he would have to do in order to
protect himself.
II have now in my charge" said Capt.
Bennett. ..about $4,000 worth of proper
ty belonging to the State Guard. This
may all be confiscated by the govern
ment unless properly taken care OF. The
law provides that I must keep these
equipments In the armory. l have got
them in the armory. and they are nui-
sance to the rest of the infantry COM
panies.
1.-THE law also allows me two hours to
turn out in case Of an emergency. On
account Of our crowded condition this
allowance has been extended to three
hours. could not turn out In less than
q day IL was to be court martialed for
it. If we should be called upon to turn
out at short notice. would either have
to get ready in the street or else compel
the infantry companies to do so. and II
were to remain inside would not have
one-third enough ROOM do uot want
the responsibility of losing the guard
equipments by placing them elsewhere.
and equally dislike to be menace to
the other companies"
The same opinion has been expressed
by number of other officers. who say
they will not remain In the guard while
II goes to pieces" A meeting to seri-
cusly consider what can be done has
been planned for the near future, when
it is probable that petitions stating the
exact conditions will be drawn UP and
,,r,ean+ad "a fte council and legislature.