The Detroit times., 1908-01-01
MILITIA LAW IS TO
SUPPLANT DICK
MEASURE
AT MEETING OF NATIONAL
GUARD ASSN IN BOSTON, JAN.
1915, IMPORTANT LEGISLATION
WILL COME UP.

WASHINGTON Jan. AT the
coming meeting of the National Guard
association, in Boston, Jan. 10 to Is,
the most important legislation sug-
gested since the enactment OF the
Dick law five years agos will come be-
fore the association for discussion. A
meeting of the executive committee
Of the association wns held IN WASH
ington recently, with Acting Secre-
tary OF War Oliver and members OF
the general stan, at which the pro-
visions of bill were agreed upon
which will take the place of the Dick
act II Is very comprehensive
measure and is believed by its authors
to obviate many Of the difficulties
which have heretofore prevented the
militia from complying with the re-
quirements OF the Dick act as to con-
formation.
Among important notifications is
one allowing each organized division
OF the militia one Inspector OF small
arms practice With the rank OF lieu
tenant-colonel: each brigade, one with
the rank ofsanajor; each regiment OF
infantry or cavalry, one with the rank
OF captain, and each separate battal-
ion or squadron, one with the rank OF
first lieutenant. The president Is to
be empowered to specify in his call
the period of service, when the or
ganized militia is called into service
to repel invasion or suppress insur-
rectiop, and the militia shall be SO
called into service in advance OF any
volunteer force which II may be de-
termined TO raise.
As to CourtsmartiaI
Another important change is in sec
ton s, which now directs that courts
martial for the trial of officers and
men OF the militia, when in service OF
the United States shall be composed
of militia Officers only. This is to be
amended so as to, make IL read 1.-The
majority membership of such courts
martial shall be composed of militia
officers. Probably the most important
change is in section Is, which now
empowers the secretary of war to Is
sue standard magazine guns, .bayonets,
etc, TO arm the militia as the army is
armed. It is proposed to amend this
section by authorizing the secretary
Of war to issue from, time to time "un-
der such regulations as he may pre-
scribe, such number Of the United
States service arms and all accessories
and such other accouterments. equip
ments, uniforms, clothing, equipage
and military stores of all kinds re-
quired for the army of the United
States, as are necessary to arm. uni
form and equip all the organized
militia in the several states, terri
tories and the District of Columbia, in
accordance with the requirements OF
this act, without charging the cost or
value thereof against the allotment OF
said state, etc, or requiring pay
ment therefor The secretary is also
authorized to exchange ammunition
for the new guns for ammunition for
the Krags, and old equipment thus re-
placed Is to be turned in to the war
department and the new equipment
accounted for by the governors as pro-
vided by law.
Annual Clothing Allowance.
The secretary is further authorized
to fix an annual clothing allowance to
each state for each enlisted man and
10 issue clothing annually In accord
ance with such allowance, and the
governors are authorized to drop from
their returns as expended, clothing cor
in value TO such allowance
Finally, the secretary Is empowered to
issue small arms and field artillery
ammunition upon the requisition of
governors, in the proportion of so per
cent of the corresponding regular
army allowance without charge to the
states allotment. This Is a most Inn
portant section. as IL provides, in eff
feet, for the arming and equipping Of
the militia so as 10 conform to the
army, at the expense Of the United
States, and the regular issue of cloth
ing without expense to the state or
territory. The provision as to am
munition will greatly stimulate rifle
practice and leave more money avail
able for the construction OF ranges
and galleries.
Maneuver Expenses.
Section 10 is amended TO provide
for the payment OF expenses of the
militia at joint maneuyers out OF the
money specifically appropriated for
that purpose, the secretary to furnish
congress with detailed statement Of
such expenditures. The last section
the secretary to appoint a
board OF five officers Of the militia
selected as far as possible to repre-
sent all sections OF the country, TO
meet In Washington from time to
time and consult with him respecting
the condition, status and needs OF the
whole body OF the organized militia.
the members of the board to receive
q per diem and travelling expenses.
The proposed bill will be passed upon
by the National Guard association and
then properly instroduced in congress.
Gov. Henry A. Buchtel. OF Colorado.
has recently taken life membership
in the National Rife association. Gov.
Buchte Is Methodist minister and
chancellor of the University OF Den
yer. a Methodist institution. but be-
lieves In rife practice al a prepare
ton for the proper defense OF the
country. This year he gave three
medals. one each of gold. silver and
bronze, for competition in the Cob
orado National Guard individual
match
In connection with the proposed
rife range for the navy on the Pa
cific coast, similar to The one at Guar.
tanamo, a bill has been introduced in
congress for the purchase OF the