Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-06-10
NEW MILITIA LAW
NOW IN EFFECT
1T BRINGS REGULAR AND MILL.
TIA FORCES MORE CLOSELY
TOGETHER.
BOARD OF FIVE OFFICERS Pc
VIDED FOR TO CONSIDER THE
NEEDS OF THE MILITIA.

The Dick militia bill, which has
been signed Dy the president, is gen
orally favored. by the various, states, as
headquarters of the various states, as
I brings more closely together the
regular and militia forces of the var
ious states. Under the. new coma
lions the national guard becomes not
only a state militia, but it is ma
tional militia responsible to the gen
eral government, Before the national
guard of any state can take advantage
of the new law it must comply with
the provisions of the old Dick law re-
lating to strength, equipment, effici-
ency, etc, as the new law does not re-
peal the Dick law, but is amendatory
to it. The measure increases the
federal appropriation for the national
guard 100 per cent. by giving the mill
tia permanent annual appropriation
of $2,000,00O, in addition TO the amount
already authorized, making the total
annual appropriation $4,075,0 900.
The new law provides that the re-
gularly enlisted, organized, and uni
formed active militia shall constitute
the active militia. After January 81.
1910, the organization, armament, and
discipline of the organized militia
shall be the same as that which is
now prescribed Tor the regular army,
1t is provided that whenever the
United ltates is invaded or in dan.
ger Of invasion, or of rebellion against
the authority of the government, it
shall be lawful for the president 10
call forth such number of the militia
as he may deem necessary. Ii is also
provided that whenever the president
calls forth the organized militia he
may specify in his call the period for
which such service is required, and
the militia so called shall continue to
serve during the time so specified.
No commissioned officer or enlisted
man of the militia is to be held TO
service beyond the term of his exist
ing commission or enlistment.
According to the act the secretary
of war is authorized, to issue from
time to- time to the organized militia
such number of the United States
service arms, together with all ac-
cessories and such other accoutre-
ments, equipments. uniforms and
Slothing. The secretary of war is
also authorized to provide for par
, ticipation by any part Of the organ
lied militia of any state on the re-
, quest of the governor in the encamp-
ment, manoeuvers and field instruc'
/ ton Of any part of the regular army.
, Upon the application of the governor
/ of any state the secretary of war
may detail one or more officers or
enlisted men of the army TO repogt for
duty in connection with the organ,
lied militia
The new law authorizes the see
rotary of war to appoint board OF
| five officers on the active list of the
organized militia so selected as to Sc.
cure equitable representation to all
sections of the United States. This
board shall, from time to time, go t.
| Washington for consultation with
the secretary Of war respecting the
condition, status and needs of the
whole body Of the organized militia
The officers OF the board are ap
pointed for a term of four years
The expenses of this board. together
With a per diem to be established
are to be paid to the members.