The Washington times., 1902-01-04
TO CONSULT ON
MILITIA BILL.
Secretary Root to Seek the
Views Of GuardSmen.
LITTLE LEGISLATION IS NEEDED.
Main Object Is TO Make Mere Def
mite If Iot to Increase the Power
of the President Over the state
Organizations States Generally
Are Opposed TO Such Plan.

The much talked about militia bill, which
the War Department has had under con-
sidcratior for several mcnths, and which
is expected to meet with considerable a.
position from the State viii not be pre-
sented to Congress until after the Ma
tional Guard conference, to be held here
+ soon.
1t is the intention of The Secretary of
War to wait until he has learned the
views of the National Guard officers who
will assemble in Washington to discuss
militia matters before sending the pro-
posed bill TO Congress.
| The bill when completed will probably
prove a surprise to everyone. The gen.
/ eral trend OF militia discussion has been
| that considerable legislation is needed.
| This view Will not be sustained by Secrc-
/ tary Root. He is OF the opinion that but
| little legislation is needed, and that only
! to make more definite the power OF the
! Federal Government over the State mill
/ tia. The officials OF the War Department
see in this question the weakest feature
of the military system Of the United
/ States Government, and are convinced
/ that it demands the urgent attention of
! Congress.
States Oppose Change.
Careful enquiry among the National
! Guard organizations OF the country shows
! that the States are opposed to comforting
any greater power upon the President to
use the militia, and in many instances
will not admit that Congress has any
| right to order them out in time OF war Or
| TO provide Tor their use by the Federal
| Government.
Their claim is that they are strictly
| State institution, under the sole command
! OF the Governor. This view is held not
| wfthstanding the Constitution says that
Congress shall have power Ito provide
| for calling forth the militia to execute the
laws OF tia Union, suppress insurrection,
and repel invasions."
OLD Act o: Congress.
Congress, acting upon this authority,
! conferred upon the President power TO
use the militia, but this act of Congress
is now said to be obsolete and ambiguous.
and Secretary Roots proposed bill will
provide fer its being amended. That sec
tion was adopted as long ago as 1898, and
says:
whenever the United States arc in
vaded, or are in imminent danger OF in
vasion from any foreign nation or Indian
tribe, or of rebellion against the author
ity of the Government OF the United
states. it shall be lawful for the Presi-
dent to cali forth such number Of the
militia of the State or States most con-
venient to the place Of danger, or scene
of action. as he may deem necessary to
repel such invasion, and TO issue his
orders for that purpose TO such officers
OF the militia as he may think proper.
Considered Too Antiquated.
This provision is considered inadequate
and antiquated by army officers and the
efforts of the Secretary Of War will be
directed to securing legislation by Con-
eress which viii not tie the Presidents
hands with so many conditions
1t is thought that when the National
Guard officers assemble in Washington
they will reach some agreement them
selves as TO how the law should be
amended, and Secretary Root will try TO
shape his proposed bill with a view to
securing the approval of the National
Guard before placing it before Congress.