Evening star., 1902-01-22
GEN. DICK ACCEPTS CHIEF OFFICE
Discussion and Approval of Bill to
Be Submitted to Congress.
MEETS NEXT IN COLUMBUS

Willard.
you know" he said. s'that 1 was not a
candidate for this honor. If 1t is your bet
ter judgment and you feel that my selec-
tion will be of service to the interests you
represent I accept the task and response
bility in the spirit in which the selection
was made, I deeply appreciate and am
grateful for the honor conferred and /
pledge You my best efforts and my co-ops-
ration to secure in Congress and out of
congress the advancement and increase #
the efficiency of the national guards of The
United States At this time 1 simply ap-
pear TO thank You and pledge you my best
enorts In the position in which you have
placed me and to reassure YOU of my deep
appreciation and thanks"
Gen. Dick was roundIy cheered by the
ts aseleeates. who look upon him as perhaps
the one of all others upon whom they can
rely to see to their interests in Congress
There was very little business done at the
morning session the delegates leaving the
convention hall at II O'Clock to nav their
respects to President Roosevelt.
Addressed by the Secretary of War.
Secretary Root and Lieut.. Gen. Miles
also received visits from the state adjutants
general, now in session here Secretary
Root impro, ed the opportunity to express
his sincere appreciation and hearty CO.
they are engaged. The friendly feeling he
felt for them, the Secretary said, undoubt-
edly came from their common interest The
study and thought which he had been re-
quired to give to the lessons to be, learned
from recent military operations and con-
sideratlon of the military possibilities of the
future led him to the conviction that 1t
was of the greatest Importance to this
country that the National Guard should
be maintained, promoted and perfected as a
necessary school for citizen soldiery. The
gulf which had existed between the Ma
tional Guard and the regular army should
be entirely closed up, and there should be
harmonious cooperation between the two
organizations In bringing about condition
OF affairs in which the country would al
ways be ready with an efficient volunteer
force to act as an auxiliary to the regular
army.
Secretary Root said that the time is now
ripe for securing legislative measures which
Will be Of great advantage In improving
and perfecting the obsolete militia sys-
tenn of 1892. He was heartily in sympathy
with any practical movement which would
provide for an efficient volunteer militia
that could be depended upon in cases of
national emergencies. In closing, Secretary
Root congratulated the officers Of the con-
vention on the good temper. spirit and in
terest with which they had taken up the
subject Of improving the militia system, and
also the progress already made in that
direction, and expressed the hope that Con-
SfeSS W0utd CONSIDER the SUBJECT In the
same commendable spirit.
Before taking a recess Gen. George Har-
ries of the District Of Columbia offered a
resolution. which, on motion of Gen. Haynes
Of Arkansas, was Endorsed by the associa-
ton
The resolution sets forth that inasmuch
as patriotic, public-spirited citizens of
Washington. ID. c., and of various parts OF
the Union, desirous of promoting the inter
ests of the National Guard an efficient
national military reserve force, and of
bringing its representatives in closer con-
tact with the national government, and in
recognition of the efficient services Of the
volunteers in the Spanish war, propose to
provide in Washington. d. c., for the MEM
bers of the organization an attractive ma
tional rendezvous in the form of a central,
well-equipped club. as a place of meeting
for business and pleasure, especially for.
non-residents who may be transient guests
in the national capital. the rendezvous to
be known the Military Club, and as the
approval of this convention is asked there
on, therefore ''it is the sense of this con-
vention that the enterprise, conducted In
the spirit proposed, must inure to the mu-
tual benefit of tho national government and
the National Guard, and deserves the earn
est approval and announcement of this
body"
MIR. Bryan Makes Statement.
Mr.. William E. Bryan secretary pro tenn.
of the Military Club, offered the following
statement in connection with the resolu.
ton:
1.-The Military Club organization commit
tee, composed of Generals Harries. Axline
Of Ohio, Hulings of Pennsylvania. Captain
William E. English of Indiana, and 9TH
ers planning national club house and rem
devious I'm Washington, D. c., for the gen
tlemen of the National Guard, volunteer
service of the Spanish war and naval re-
serves, wish to present to the delegates of
the convention copy of the list of incor-
porators, and to explain the purposes of the
club and plan of organization. 1t is a
purely patriotic enterprise. The committee
trusts it may merit and receive your cor
dial cooperation"
The capital stock of the Military Club
Company is placed at 500, 000 divided into
10000 worcestershire shares Of $40 each.
The incorporators are Gen. Geo. H. Harries,
John Joy Edson Captain Afgernon Sar-
toris, Governor George K. Nash of Ohio,
General Dick Of Ohio, John r. Mclean,
District Attorney Harry E. Davis, Alexan-
der Mcdonald, B. H. Warner Commodore
Isaac E. Emerson, John G.. Gray of Della
sylvania, Samuel W. woodward, Captain
Charles Cassidy Cook, Colonel Alonzo B.
Colt, Charles c. Tucker, George c. Boldt
Of New York, Colonel Paul NJ. Milliken of
Cincinnati, William H. Stayton. Isaac New
ton W. James; Levin Irving Handy, DR..
Joseph e. Boylon.
The club is considering the purchase Of
q DOUQlng at lUZO street northwest
rendezvous for the members The finance
committee of the club is composed of Gen.
eral Harries, 8. w. Woodward, William B.
King, Edwin b. Hay and John B. Sleman
ir.
Election Of Omcers.
Late yesterday afternoon the National
Guard Association elected officers Besides
General Dick, as president, General P. H.
Barry Of Nebraska. was elected first vice
president: General Milton B. Byers of
Iowa. second vice president; General B. s.
Royster of North Carolina. third vice presi-
dent: General c. u. Gantanbein of Oregon.
fourth vice president, and Colonel c. e.
Bleyer Of Illinois. secretary treasurer.
There was q vigorous discussion of q bfll
proposed which, it was explained. Is de-
signed to place the various state organiza-
tions on a uniform basis and bring fhe
semi-military organizations In closer touch
with the general government. The measure
was approved by vote of 1GS to 26 Penn
sylyania casting "a votes and South Dakota
2 votes against 1t.
The Proposed LegfsIation
The bill will be introduced into Congress-
within few days. 1t provides that MEM
bers of the National Guard are to be armed
by the government with the United States