Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-05
BENEFIT OF VETERANS
WANT ARLINGTON RESERVED
FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.
Lawton Camp Adopts Strong Resolu-
ton Against Burial of Civilians in
National Cemeteries.

Two matters of more than ordinary inter-
est were considered at a recent meeting of
the Fourth Immune Camp United Spanish
War Veterans. One was sturdy opposition
by resolution and speech to the proposed
permission Of the government for the burial
at Arlington Of distinguished citizens of
the United States other than soldiers sail
ors and marines" The other was action
favorable to the establishment in this coun-
try of a strong military and naval reserve,
similar In some respects TO those OF the
countries of the old world
The resolution introduced by Mr.. Bartel
and adopted by the camp referring to the
Arlington matter recited that the Fourth I'm
mune Command goes on record and makes
It's dlsappTovaI known TO the bill now before
the Senate and House to admit "distn-
guished citizens to be buried at the na-
tioHa cemetery at Arlington. advocated by
the Secretary of War, and to instruct its
corps delegates to bring this before the
corps at the next meeting.
Commander May stated that the quarter
master general of the United States army
had issued order permitting the burial
at Arlington of "dissnguis he'd citizens of
the United States u,hcr than soldiers. sail
OrS and marines.
Mr. BarteI stated that he had seen in
the papers that the Union Veteran Union
had opposed the action of the Secretary
lington of distinguished citizens other
than soldiers. sailors and marines He
thought that the Union Veteran Union
was right, and that the United Spanish
War Veterans should do all in their
power to assist the Union Veteran Union.
Burial of Enlisted Mems Wives.
Lieut. Eberly stated that he thought
the question had never been taken up in
regard to giving the enlisted mans wife
the privilege OF burial at the Arlington
cemetery He considered that the enlist
ed man had as much right to have his
wife buried there as the officer, and GER
teinly more right than distinguished
that he would bring the matter up at the
next corps meeting.
lieut. Eberly stated that he thought
the command should communicate with
the other veteran organizations and find
out If they had done anything in the
matter, and if so. to what extent so that
this camp might act in conjunction with
them.
Mr.. John ]. Duffy made a motion. which
was passed, providing that Il committee
of three be appointed by the commander
to investigate the question now pend
ing before Congress relative to the burial
of distinguished civilians" at Arlington;
10 secure data for action of the camp;
that this committee be empowered to CO.
operate with similar committees of other
Orga ntzations; and that said committee
he instructed to report to the camp the
first meeting after installation of officers;
and that. further, said committee be IN
structed to investigate land advise the
camp, the subject of the burial Of wives
of enlisted men at Arlington.
Mr. Bartel stated that this was a serious
matter, which did not admit of any delay
and urged the camp to take speedy action.
The committee appointed by Comma nder
Joseph L. May consisted Of Capt. William
II. Mellach. Lieut.. William Peacock and
Mr.. Bartei.
Army and Navy Reserve.
Capt. Mellach said that he would like to
call the attention Of the command TO an
other subject which he had given consid-
cradle thought, ana in which, he believed
all the members would be interested Prior
to the Spanish-American war, he said, the
United States had no necessity for any large
amount of soldiers. Hence, we were the
only country in the world which might be
called civilized that was not rated as a
world power In cases of emergency the
United States has depended on it's state
militia, and in every case they have proven
miserable failure. 1t is a relic OF the
colonial days, and was bequeathed to gem
Grafton after generation by the army of
Washington. He said that it was time that
this country should awaken He believed
that II was time for the United States war
veterans TO get TO work and show the gov
eminent method of securing a better mill
tary reserve for cases OF emergency than 1t
had in the state militia. and in furthcrance
or this idea he presented the following reso-
luton, which was seconded by Mr. Jerry
O.Hare, and which provided that a United
states reserve be established, composed of
all honorably discharged officers soldiers
sailors and marines of the regular or volun-
teer service. without restriction as to age
If physically qualified for service.
10 be enlisted for service as long as physi-
celly qualified To be armed euuinned and
entitled to all allowances, rations, paw and
pension. under the same regulations as TO
drlII. service and discipline as the regular
service OF the United States army, navy and
Marine Corps
The resolution stated that +bis -osor,.o
should be divided into companies. batfaI-
IONS, regiments, brgades and army corps
geographically. by the President Of the
Onited states so as to be available for
rapid concentration at the strategicai points
necessary TO repel foreign invasion. or
FOR rapid embarkation in case offensive on
eTatons were necessary.
one months field service each year should
De Iequired Tor drill and small army field
artillery or great-gun practice The same
Tor the navy and marine reserve theirs to
be at sea. ~
The President should appoint the COM
missioned officers necessary to officer the
reserve in the proportion required by reRu-
Iatlons. Appointments to be made from
honorabiy discharged regulars and voIun-
teers
Mr.. Bartel stated that this matter had
already been taken up, but in the Coast
Artillery arm only. The chief OF ar
uilery had bin now before Congress in
relation 10 the matter. He further stated
that European countries had an army re-
serve established almost exactly along the
same lines But he considered that Cap
tain Meilach's idea would make a stronger
reserve.
Captain Mellach stated that the chief OF
aru4lery was all right so far as he had
9one, but he had not gone far enough
The resolution OF Captain MeIlach was
unanimously adopted.
Hea ring Refnra a nnrrn icars.