Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-27
PREPARE BILL TO TAKE
PLACE OF THE DICK ACT
GUARpsMEN DISCUSSING lM-
PoRTANT MEASURE.
Members of National Association at
Work on Act Which VIII Be
Presented at Next Ses-
sion of Congress
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, d. G. Dec. 26.-At the
meeting of the National Guard associa-
ton in Boston, January 10 to 10, the most
important legislation suggested since the
enactment of the Dick law five years ago,
will come before the association for dis
cussion.
A meeting of the executive committee
of the association was held in Washing
ton recently with Acting Secretary of
War Oliver and members of the general
staff at which the provisions of a bill
| were agreed upon, which VIII take the
place of the Dick act.
It is a very comprehensive measure.
and is believed by it's authors to obviate
many of the difficulties which have here
tofore prevented the militia from comply
ing with the requirements OF the Dick
act as to conformation
Among important notifications is one
allowing each organized division of the
militia one inspector of small arms prac-
tice with the rank of lieutenant colonel;
each brigade one with the rank of major;
Zach regiment of infantry or cavalry one
with the rank of captain, and each sepa-
rate battalion or squadron one with the
rank of first lieutenant
The president is to be empowered to
specify in his call the period of service.
when the organized militia is called into
service to repel invasion or suppress in
surrection, and the militia shall be so
called into service IN advance of any vol
unteer force which it may be determined
to raise.
Important Changes
Another important change is in section
eight which now directs that court
martial for the trial of officers, when in
service of the United States, shall be
composed of militia officers only. This
is to be amended SO as to make 1t read
''the majority membership of such
court martial shall be composed of militia
officers
Probably the most important change is
in section thirteen. which now empowers
the secretary of war to issue standard
magazine guns, bayonets, etc, to arm the
militia as the army is armed. 1t Is pro-
pos. to amend this section by authoriz-
Ing the secretary of war to Issue from
time to time, under such regulations as
he may prescribe, such number of the
United States service arms and all ac-
cessories and such other accoutremerts,
equipments, uniforms, clothing, equipage
and military stores of all kinds required
for the army, of the United States. as
arc necessary to arm. uniform and equip
all the organized militia, in accordance
with the requirements of this act, with
against the allotment of the state, or re-
quiring payment.
The secretary is also authorized to ex-
change ammunition for the new guns for
ammunition for the Krags, and old equip
ment thus replaced Is to be turned into
the war department and the new equip
ment accounted for by the governors as
provided by law.
Secretary to Fix Allowances
The secretary is further authorized to
fix an annual clothing allowance to each
state for each enlisted man and to issue
clothing annually in accordance with
such allowance, and the governors are
authorized to drop from their returns as
expended. clothing corresponding In value
to such allowance.
| Finally, the secretary is empowered to
issue small arms and field artillery am
munition upon the requisition of COVER
nors, in the proportion of fifty per cent
of the corresponding regular army allow
ance without charge to the states allot-
ment. This Is a most important section,
as it provides, in effect, for the arming
and equipping of the militia so as to con-
| form to the army. at the expense of the
| United States, and the regular issue of
clothing without expense to the state or
| territory.
The provision as to ammunition will
greatly stimulate rifle practice and leave
more money available for the construc-
tion of ranges and galleries.
Section fifteen is amended to provide
for the payment of expenses of the mill
| tia at joint maneuvers out of the money
specifically appropriated for that pur-
pose, the secretary to furnish congress
with a detailed statement of such ex-
penditures. Tho last section authorizes
the secretary to appoint board Of five
officers of the militia, selected as far as
possible to represent all sections of the
country. to meet in Washington from
time to time and consult with him respect
! ing tho condition. status and needs of the
whole body OF the organized militia, tht