Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-15
THE CUARDSMEN
See Many Ways Of In
proving the Militia.
Will Ask Congress For NJ
meTous Changes In Dicklaw
Which They Hope Will Increase
Efficiency Of Guard.

Boston, Jan. 1.-THE desires OF the
National Guard Association for the
United States for new national leg1sia-
ton affecting state militias were def1-
nitely expressed today by an almost
complete representation of the Volun-
teer forces from every section or the
country at the 10th annual meeting OF
the organization in Faneuil hall. inc
report Of the legislative committee TO
which members from each state were
appointed yesterday was read by the
chairman of the committee, Gen. James
A. Drain and unanimously adopted.
The report, a very lengthy AFFAIR.
embodied the proposed changes IN the
Dick law which have long been dis
cussed in National Guard circles, or
which the feature is a desire to have
state militias become practically an in
tegral part of the regular army and
as such be supported and controlled
by the federal government.
In addition to this report resolutions
wele passed declaring it to be the sem
timent of these meetings that the Unit
ed States Congress should at once en-
act laws providing better pay for the
military service of the country; that
physicians Of the National Guard
| should be given preference whenever 1t
became necessary for the federal gov
eminent to- add to the medical corps OF
the army; and that committee OF the
association should be appointed to in
vestigate ACCESSIBILITY Of establishing
military correspondence schools for
the instruction of officers.
| Gen. Charles Dick, United States SEN
ator from Ohio and president of the as
ISOLATION, whom the delegates had ex-
pected would preside. sent telegram
to the committee today expressing re-
greet that illness kept him from attend
ing the meeting. Adjutant General Nell
son H. Henry Of New York. who pre-
sided yesterday, again took the chair.
. Following the action the reports, gen.
eral discussion ensued as to what meth
DDS the Individual delegations might
adopt in prosecution Of their propos ID
changes. Gen Drain suggested that upon
adjournment of the convention tomorrow
each delegate go direct to Washington.
buttonhole his states congressman and
impress upon them the unanimous de-
Imand of the National Volunteers militia
for the new legislation.
The matter of finance then came up it
being shown that the executive commit
tee had at its command total income
from dues of only $500 annually.
The financial question was finally dis
posed Of by a vote to make 4 special as
sessment on the basis of S. for every so.
guardsmen, or one cent per member
which with the 100000 men will aggregate
5000 TO" carrying through Congress the
proposed measures.
The convention adjourned for the day
shortly after noon. The delegates posed
Qntsde Faneul hall for their photo
; graphs and after luncheon at the Ameri'
lean House majority went to Fort
Banks and Fort Heath, Boston harbor
where special target practice with the
big guns and mortars was arranged.
Without opposition the convention &C
lcepted the report of the nomination com
mittee favoring the reelection Of Gen
eral Charles Dick of Ohio as president
of the association. Several vice presi
dents were also named. and ]. w. Hughes
Of Kansas was elected secretary. and
General Charles J. Anderson treasurer
to succeed General John D. Frost of Co.
Ilumbus, 8. c.. who resigned by letter to-
Idav on account of illness.
1t was voted to hold the next conven'
ltion at Los Angeles, Cal.