New-York tribune., 1907-10-17
UNIONS MILITI1'S FOE.
Wain7cright Commission Told They
Rctard Recruiting.

j developed yesterday ut the sitting Of the VAIN
wright commission at the list Regiment Armory
that Of the greatest difficulties In procuring
recruits for the various organizations lay in the
sutagonism OF the labor unions. due TO the vgor
way in which the militia has suppressed dis
order. Among the officers called before tho
mission yesterday was Major William Dubois. OF
the I'D Regiment. He said that he believed X
necessary TO take steps to stop the an
tagouism OF the unions. In many cases employers
labor had dared join the national guard
a their threatened go out il they
did 80.
Major Dubois said that he preferred the elective
system for officers. he thought that nine times
ton the men would select better officers than
their commanding officer would. lie also wanted
the drill stinened and the tactics enlarged TO in
clude riot drill this last is the kind OF duty
the men are most likely to be called on TO perform
Practically all the inquiry yesterday was taken
up with discussion of means 20 stimulate interest
in the guard and retrospective advantages Of the
elective and appointive systems for the selection
os officers. Commissioner Wainwright absent
had go to Albany business Tuesday night
Colonel Walter r. Hotchkin, OF the I'D Regiment
Engineers. favored the appointment OF second lieu
tenants. but thought the promotion should be by
seniority. He favored the five year enlistment, but
said he knew of abuses needing a remedy
Major Bloomfield Usher, of the 22d, also favored
the five year enlistment. and favored clothing
allowance for the Captain William s. Con-
roy, OF the same regiment, was OF the same opin-
ion So was Captain Bleecker Bangs. quartermaster
of the 23d. Concerning the question of uniforms
Captain Bangs thought that about $6 year for
each man should be set aside to draw for
placing uniforms and equipments, Lieutenant
Greene of the 23d spoke for five year enlistment
an4 more rife practice.
Major General Thomas II. MeGrath (retiredD. who
was a member of the guard for thirty years. and
who came up from tho ranks, was the next Wit
ness the request Of Chairman Sanger. He said
that the Legislature should pay more attention TO
the guard and that :he state forces should be
under the absolute control and supervision OF the
state He said that the entire military department
at Albany should be reorganized All the officers
of the department he said. should be appointed by
the Governor. and the distribution OF all moneys
be made by the adjutant general, as the major
general now has too much to do with finances.
Instead Of the present cumbersome staff General
MCGrath said he thought the militia should have
inspector general. chief of ordnance and
surgeon general, appointed by the Governor.
Details OF drill. administration of the internal
affairs of the various units and methods of choice
Of officers comprised the rest of the testimony.
nothing serious being adduced Most of the officers
favored the elective system and the longer term
of enlistment. The hearing will be resumed to-
day, when the officers of the 47th and 69th regi-
ments will be called.