The Washington times., 1902-01-23
STATE MILITIA
in HIGH FAVOR.
President Approves Reorgan-
iZatiOn Bill.
RECEIVES NATIONAL GUARDSMEN.
Keystone Soldiers Oppose Measure
to Create Standing Reserve
of 100000 Men.

President Roosevelt has declared that he
will stand shoulder to shoulder with the
members of the Interstate National Guard
Association in their endeavors to raise the
efficiency of the organized citizen soldiery.
He has voiced his approval of the militia
| reorganization bill. which will be intro
duced in the House by Representative Dick,
president of the association.
TIE members of the association were re-
ceived by the President yesterday at the
White House. They were extended the
warmest kind of a greeting. The Presi-
dent remarked with characteristic vigor
that he wished all delegations which called
to see him were like the State soldiers
mot in quest of Offices"
Approves the MiIitia.
Mr.. Roosevelt took occasion to express
his approval of the work of the associa-
tion, and said he would lend the organi-
zation his aid in its efforts to raise the
standard Of efficiency in the National
Guard. At the conclusion of his remarks
he was heartily applauded by the officers,
most of whom were in uniform.
Representative Dicks militia reorgani-
favors. provides for the arming of the
militia with the same equipment used
by the Regular Army. 1t gives the Presi-
dent power to order out the militia when
he shall see fit, authorizes the creation
or reserve of 100000 soldiers who have
served in either the volunteer or regular
armies or the organized militia, and the
establishment of annual camps of instruc-
ton at the expense of the National Gov
ernment. ----r
Quakers File Objections.
The Pennsylvania delegation in the
meetings of the association consistently
opposed the endorsement OF Representa-
tive Dicks bill. They announced their in
tention Of fighting the measure in Con-
gress.
Their objections to the bill are based
On the ground that the delegates to the
meeting of the association do not appre-
ciate the enormity of the measure they
have fathered. They argue that the ex-
pense which is to be incurred by such
bill would be enormous. and that the duty
placed upon the militiaman would be on
erous.
Concentration Camps.
The Pennsylvanians will find plenty of
support in their objections as to the bill.
Most of the opposition Will be based on
the clause providing for camps of in
struction at the expense of the Govern
ment.
Opponents OF the measure say that
this can be accomplished only through
the establishment of great concentration
camps, where the entire militia of sew
tafa ha trat bqr
A bill providing for an organized militia
and naval reserve is to be introduced in
the House today by Representative Dick.
1t is believed that it will meet the
unanimous approval of the members of
the Committee on Militia and the War
Department. Strenuous efforts will be |
made by the Secretaries of War and Navy |
to obtain the passage Of the bill.
Call on Secretary Root.
Phe members of the Interstate National |
Guard Association called upon Secretary |
Root yesterday. and a general campaign |
favorable to the militia reserve bill was |
mapped out. He admitted the |
feeling in the United States against a |
large standing army, but believed no pop
ular objection would be raised to a we'll |
trained force of citizen soldiery as a sup |
port to the Regular Army. He said:
'The time has come when the gulf |
which has too often appeared between
the regular and citizen soldier should be
closed. We are all American citizens.
and have but one interest in common. l
believe a more perfect understanding will
close the breach and that there will be
brought about an improvement in our
militia system which will enable us to
meet the next emergency"