The San Francisco call., 1906-09-28
National Guard Suffers From the
Indifference of the Public.
By Brigadier General John a. koster.

out the hearty Endorsement and CO.
operation on the part of it's citizens.
This lack of interest on the part of
our citizens is primarily felt in the re-
cruiting. Company commanders, as
well as battalion and regimenta1 COM
manders. have difficulty in paintaining
the minimum strength of their organ
izations, as required by law. with prop
er material. and area consequently.
compelled to enlist such as are un-
desirable. This class. although per-
haps in the minority, by its tempera-
ment and indiscreet conduct, frequent
ly brings discredit upon the entire
organization. Further than this, ii
must be understood that the enlisted
men elect the company officers. which
often results in the selection of those.
who, although tactically we'll informed,
are in every other respect unqualified.
These features have been prominent
ly brought to the notice of the con-
servative element OF the National
Guard during. the recent active service
in this city. For the indiscretions of
few. the entire organization is made to
suffer the oftentimes unjust criticism
on the part of the public, with little or
no praise for the Fsacrince made or the
generally splendid service rendered
1t is evident that few realize that
much of the citizen soldiers time is
taken UP with his military duties, not
alone in attention to the weekly drills.
but also to the administration of affairs
of the organization. to the care of pub
lie property (for which an officer is
under heavy bonds furnished at his own
expense). to constant study of subjects
with which the professional soldier is
required to be familiar, and this with
out compensation or reward of any
kind
The Federal Government now pro-
vides for periodical maneuver camps,
where the regular forces are combined
with those of the National Guards Of
the different States, and where the lat
ter are expected to display familiarity
with all the subjects required of the
regular" This knowledge, it must be
remembered. must be acquired by the
National Guardsman during such time
as he can spare from his business or
professional duties. The personnel of a
National Guard organization, in order
to acquire this knowledge in a COM
paratively limited time, must of neces-
sity be composed of a class of men of a
higher intelligence than in similar or
ganizations of the regular army. To
induce these to enter the States mill
tary service it is primarily necessary
that it be made as attractive as possible
The respectable citizens. not only of the
city of San Francisco but of the State.
could by a greater display of interest
in the organization render most valu-
able assistance. By their interest and
loyal support the better class of Young
to enlist. Such influence would also
aid in securing legislation to provide
armories, equipments. target ranges
and funds for the proper administra-
ton of the military affairs. thereby
greatly facilitating the labors of on
GERS now struggling to maintain an effi-
Client organization. Without this sun
port this task is hopeless. and it is a
well-known fact that an inefficient.
poorly trained National Guard organi-
zation is a menace rather than a pro-
tective measure.
The efficient and conservative officers
of the National Guard of this city de-
sire to present this matter to the pub
lie in the hope that a greater interest
in the welfare of the National Guard
may be aroused. A conference with
prominent and pubiic-spirited citizens
will be arranged in sne near future in
the belief that with their cooperation
this may be accomplished.