New-York tribune., 1907-10-27
WANTS PAY FOR DRILLS
Would SOIre National Guard PROB
lem, Correspondent Thinks.
To the Editor Of The Tribune

/
men paid for their attendance at drills. To
those conversant with military affairs this sug-
gestion offers one of the most direct and obvious
solutions to the many problems of national guaru
management that have been accommodating since
the Spanish American War. since when many raoi-
cal changes have been In the military system
that have materially altered the status of the cl
soldier. To the average taxpayer the sugges-
tion appears to entail only additional and here
tofore unnecessary expense. In support OF TINS
position figures produced to show that the ma
tional guard is already heavy burden upon the
finances of both the city and of the state
In a resume of the annual cost of the New YORK
National Guard your correspondent in Sundays
Tribune states that last year the city spent $502
salaries of armorers, caretakers and clean
the arnories. and $13S,750 for light, fuel sup
plies and repairs Assuming that there are ap-
proximateIy ten thousand officers and men in the
organized militia in this city Chere were 1924 In
state. according to this years reporD, he COM
putes that each individual is costing the city S+4
year And although your correspondent gives an
Introductory that it is not the purpose of
his article TO oppose to indorse the idea that
guardsmen should be paid for their attendance at
drills but merely to let the taxpayers know what
the national guard is costing them already 1t
concludes with the very misleading query. do tho
taxpayers want to add to this amount by paying
the drill do they not?" which demands
only a negative reply. The more pertinent query
is do the taxpayers want a national guard or
/ not?'
the total cost of each guardsman he omitted the
very important items of uniforms, rifles. ammuni-
ton. transportation, maintenance and wages while
duty, the payments for which are made by the
state and federal governments, and which increase
the computed cost of S44 man TO appreciable
amount. II it his purpose to show the extent
to which the proposed policy would affect the city
budget he overlooked the fact that the officers and
paid for their services while duty from
the revenues of the state. and not of the city In
neither case would his figures bear upon the point
at ISSUE. e. the maintenance of the standard de-
gree Of discipline in national guard organization
maintained the footing required by law.
The reasons why the question of payments for
drill have come up now and BOT heretofore are
familiar TO those who have kept in touch with guard
matters. The restrictions that surround guards
to-day far more severe than they were in
1885, and his duties developing along
acting and professional lines. In view OF these
strctions 1t has become difficult for the guard TO at
tract who able to devote the necessary time
to their military duties at the cost OF their business
and domestic interests. Prior to the Spanish war
the national guard exclusively state organi-
zaton. Its chief was the Governor, who could not
order the troops outside the geographical limits Of
the state. The confusion. due 10 lack of equipment,
and reorganization that followed the outbreak of
the did much TO discredit these organiza-
tons and to discourage recruiting. The Dick mill
tary bill then passed through which the ma
tonal guard was placed the basis OF a reserve
for the regular army, and put under the juris-
dicton OF the federal authorities. Tho guard was
| organized. uniformed and equipped in conformity
with the army system of inspection BY United
States army officers was established and regulations
were made more strict IN regard TO methods of in
structon. number OF men In each organization. at
tendance at drills. reviews inspections number
of exercises year and in many other ways. The
new regulations are doing much TO Increase the
efficiency of the guard. but they place such heavy
burdens upon its members that the guard as a whole
Is showing a marked decrease in strength. and many
organizations that fall below required standards
are being disbanded 1t is to counteract this ten
dency that the proposal has been made to pay the
men for drilling.
The proposal IS approved by the majority of
| officers Of the national guard It is approved by
the inspecting officers OF the United States army
who have Investigated the conditions in tho var-
Gus states. The report of adjutant general OF
the army relative to the militia OF the United
States contains very brief reports from Inspecting
officers who have studied the situations in forty
three states, yet in twenty-five OF these reports
specific recommendation is made for payment for
drills 1t IS proposed make such payments
merely nominal-25 or 90 cents-which would help
defray car fare, company dues, fines and other
! cidental expenses 10 which the Cuardsman is
subject and to be forfeited In case of absence
BY this system It Is believed that the percentage
Of attendance would be increased and many de-
sirabe recruits would be enabled to enlist 20
whom the present costs, slight as they are are 4
consideration
In view Of the considerable service which tho
guardsman is rendering TO the state. not only
gratuitously but often at great expense 10 him
SELF the plan of giving payment for drills does
| seem unreasonable. His obligations already
heavy. and becoming more so. He enlists for
five years. In many he must buy his own
dress uniform and often other equipment. He
| must drill at least night u week during the
| season. II he Is non-cOmnissioned officer he
must attend schools OF instruction. lie de-
vote at least night month TO target practice
! In the aTmory, and often more. He must devote
an entire day TO rifle practice at outdoor range
with his organization. and usually several days 10
| individual practice He must he inspected and
viewed several times year by state officers and
once a year by federal officers lie must devote
his Memorial Day holiday to his organization and
parade much oftener required. He must pay
| his company dues and meet such other
ments as may be levied. He must be responsible
| for the equipment issued him. In case he is
delinquent he Is subject To court martial, fines
and possible imprisonment. with the resultant loss
! Of eligibility 10 hold public office. He must pay
| his own expenses of transportation to and from
the armory, and often help support financially his
| organization-which has become an added burden
with the recent ruling that armories may be
| rented for the purpose of raising funds. And he
must be ready at all times to sacrifice all of his
personal interests in responding the call duty
In brief. the government has been steadily in
creasing its demands upon the guardsman, until
| it has reached the point when 1t must relax on
Of the stringent regulations, offer great
er inducements TO enlist, continue to dis
band those organizations that do not comply with
| the requirements. The latter seems in
| evtable unless means be found that
will enable the officers TO maintain the military
| organizations at the required strength and give
| the required training. Those who informed
and who face these actual conditions believe that
payment for drills will solve the problem quickly
| and effectively.
|