New-York tribune., 1908-01-13
CONGRESS- OF MILITIA.
Closer Union of amateur and Pro-
fessonaL Soldiers aimed At.

Boston Jan. 12-At a congress of militia officers
and men representing a national organized vol
unteer force of more than 100000 members and an
unorganized constituency of 100000 available men,
to be held in this city during the next three days
efforts will be made to accomplish closer union
o. the amateur and professional soldiers or the
country and greater working efficiency OF the
latter class; in short. to shape new military
policy for the United States. officers representing
the War Department will also be present
The occasion of the gathering is the tenth
annual meeting of the National Guard Association
of the United States and delegates will be present
from, most of the states and territories and the
District Of Columbia. The convention will be held
Tomorrow Tuesday and Wednesday. in FaneuI
Hall.
General Charles Dick. author of the bill bearing
his name under which the national guard has
been reorganized and president of the association
viii preside. The five years period within which
the provisions of the bill were 10 operate. has
nearly elapsed. and so active is the demand for
new legislation that many delegates are known
to be coming to the convention tomorrow with
formal suggestions resolutions advocating more
or less important changes in the national laws
Among such proposed changes one by General
Charles A Drain of New York, chairman of the
executive committee of the guard association,
will probab bly be among the first and most i'm
portant which the convention Will give con
sideratIou. He will suggest that the national
guard at the outbreak of war be passed from
state to federal control. except as to the com
first line with the regular army, ready for I'M
mediate service in whenever the PRESIDENT
might wish to use il. and for as long as the en-
Hstrents Of the men then existing should enoure.
A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION.
Legislation along these lines. he believes, would
prove a satisfactory solution Of the problem OF d
military policy for the United States
General Drain will further say:
Such a course would equitabiy involve such IN
creased appropriations the part OF the CHltSu
States as would insure the proper training OF Iio
ysTioual guard in peace and condition OF corr
pIete equipment for field service Inc assulnPo;o ;n
nv the United States of the obligation 70 IuIllis I
the money to train properly and TO purchase ana
furnish the necessary stores would aIlo" tns ot1e0
10 1Ise their present increased state fppropIid
fions for local administrative expenses Ifie Mali
fenance OF the troops during peace ana Ihe Coii
struction Of aruoTles- ya ,.+ orI1y
give to the United States an addition 10 us deo
fira nf defiance of trained army OF some loV'VVV
,,1an h1t it would insure in the states force Ior
internal use adequate for every emergency IILi9
would be peace strength. War Stre4gth "oCIa s
1ascb 80 o60 The country is full of men VINO
1,ouJ5 like TO learn to do their duty as NoluIlLeeE
soldiers in time of war and go OUT as ,t sucn VIII
war came but who have no desire lor PeIlIiahelI'
military service ,.zt;. =, r,,cb
C,or1n7issions warrants and membership IN such
c-e5a nizations would something Inc organII-
sTons would be sure of going just as theE sto9o
1+bout changing their designations, WIN integrity
and identity unincumbered $500, -. a,-- s-o-,
rTbare should be a liberal detail Of otflcerS iroI
,t,l reer7rlsr army for service with the natlonaL
si1ard in peace to be employed as the Governor
might direct