New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-22
INQUIRY By COMMISSION
WITNWRIGHT BILL IN.
Goueynor Would Name Part Of
Board to Investigate Militia.

Albany Feb. 2l-Thorough investigation Of the
State National Guard was demanded in Dill IN
troduced by Assemblvman Wainwright FORMER
lieutenant colonel Of the 18th Regiment. to-day
His measure creates commission OF nine men
hers for that purpose-four civilians TO be aPpo'-
ed by the Governor. two Senators to be app"''7'
ny the President OF the Senate ana three
blvmen TO he appointed by the speaker li7E "
to Investigate the discipline. efficiency ana COST u
maintenance OF the guard. a preliminary repo' :
is n he made by April J. and the final report pe-
fore the Legislature adjourne. The p'l F!9o p
1des for revision Of the military co"e' .;,,,
OF the commission to receive TO co'iP
for their services but get necessary travelling eX-
penses. Ten thousand dollars is appropriated 1"i
the expenses of the investigation.
Mr.. Wainwright said that the National Guard was
under fire as the result OF recent occurrences anu
idea In introducing the bill was TO give it an
investigation such any officer would nave were
charges preferred against him.
The Wendell affair" he said, goes to sho"
that there is at least conflict of authority at the
top, which + believe. is due more to the system
than 20 the at the top MI Naln"f'S'1
added that his idea OF reorganization plan was
general staff system, just the same as tho resu-
lar army has He made the following statement
in regard 10 the bill
The National Guard has recent been sgoe esm!
TO severe taltICiss ai'a ere beine, some radical
wrong in the organization. Persounlly, I%N9
am familiar with its condition. In my judgment
il is composed Of splendid material ana III 'he
There are however certain radical defects in its
organization. Many changes and reforms can ~
made 10 its advantage Many believe sort or gen,
rraI staff system would he beneficial under virtual
control Of what would amount 10 = cueL or StSIL
representinC the Governor. Ny bin Will call for
the broadcast kind of investigation. In fact. me
commission take mp the revision OF me Hllli
tary code / think II impossible TO get satisfactory
results from : commission composed entrPI!, "t
the Governor appoint four citizens. II ne DESIRES
they may he old officers Of the guard. or reined
army officers familiar with militia affairs, Also s
the legislature will ultimately have to pass on the
results. II is proper that legislators should on
the commission so there will ba somebody IN inc
Legislature thoroughly familiar with the whoie
subject when the report Is made. The Nendet mat
ter goes to show that there IS at least conuict
of authority at the top. which Is duo more 20 me
system than to those az the top The question ~
maintenance Of armores. whether they should be
made q state local charge. has raised conpU-
Gated proposition.
The guard should have court OF inquiry az tn
its own condition In other words. for the force 3
a whole to he put In the same position an officer
under charges would he. believe that the result
Of this investigation would prove Of incalculahlH
benefit the guard. correcting any abuses WIirn
exist and providing for salUtary reforms. II VIII
siby distribute burden Of the cost Of the guard
more equally. I not hostile to the guard, nor
will this investigation be. The measure IS intro
duced by who is animated only by spirit or
loyalty and devotion 70 the state militia service.
Governor Hughes to-day said that he had TO
ceived requests and letters from many sources ask
ing for an investigation OF tho guard He in each
case asks for all the information available He has
NJ vet taken stand in favor Of an inNestlga-
ton. but said that this must not he construed as
Indicating that he at all against one