Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-14

Boston, Mass, Jan. 13-The tenth
annual meeting of the National Guar(!
Association of the United Statec, which
is expected to result in the shaping If
| new military policy for the nation.
was commenced in historic Fancuil hall
Monday. The adjutant generals Of
militia from every state in the union,
excepting South Dakota and Utah. had
been expected at the conference and
most OF them were present when the
first meeting was called Monday morn
ing. The national war department APP
parently realizing the unusual impor-
lance Of the convention sent 4 repre-
sentative delegation, including the as
sistant secretary of the department,
Robert Shaw Oliver, Brigadier Gencr-
ais George B. Davis and w. W. With
erspoon and Col. Erasmus NJ. Weaver
of the general staff.
The session Monday forenoon was a
short one and no very important bust.
ness vas transacted, outside of per-
fccting the organization Of the con-
ventiOn and considering routine mat
terS. The important work of the con-
ference will be reached by Tuesday
when it is expected that the first Sug-
gestions ard resolutions for changes
i'll the national laws to take the place
of the provisions of the so called Dick
bill. which governs the National Guard
will make their appearance.
At Mondays meeting the last con-
gress Of militia officers and experts
We're welcomed 10 the state ard city
by Gov. Curtis Guild. Jr, and Mayor
(s0nrcr.l A nd no,
been arranged as a short one, so thar
tour of the city, with visits to his
toric buildings and sites, an inspec-
ton of the Charlestown navy yard
and Of the several state arnories in
the vicinity might be made during the
day.
The delegates, all in uniform, as
semblcd within the patriotic environ
ment OF 1.-THE Cradle of Liberty short
ly after 10 O'Clock. General Charles
DICK of Ohio, president of the asSocia-
ton. had not arrived at this hour, and
i'll his absence, Adjutant General Nell
son H. Henry Of the New York Ma
tional Guard, senior vice president OF
the association, called the convention
to ORDER. Without delay he appointed
a committee to escort Governor Guild
and Mayor Hubbard to the platform
and their appearance in the hall was
warmly greeted by the convention. In
a brief address of welcome. Governor
Guild paid tributes to President Roose-
welt and to the official representative
of the administration at the meeting,
Assistant Secretary of War Oliver.
Mayor Hibbard's greeting was short
He remarked that he was certain that
no mayor of any city could express Il
more genuine welcome to the National
Guard. for, he continued, mo mayor is
more i'll need Of the protection of the
National Guardsncn than am T."
Assistant Secrc tary Oliver and Brig.
Gen. William II. Brigham, the newly
appointed adjutant general of The Mas
sachusetts militia then spoke briefly.
Pending the report of tho credcntiai
committee, a brief recess was taken.
The committee later reported the
presence of 165 delegates, representing,
80 states and territories and the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Gen. James A. Drain, chairman Of
the executive committee, then read mis-
annual report of which an advance
synopsis was given in last nights dis
patches. The recommendations made
toward extending the ideas of the Dick
bill 10 virtual merger of the volun-