The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-12
BARELY ES CAPE
GOING TO FRONT
Defeat Of Militia Pay" Bill
Keeps State Troops at
Homo.
sMoTHERED IN SENATE
Had It Passed, Many National
Gllardsmcn Now Would Be
on Mexican Border.
SMOTHERED IN SENATE
Especial to The Times ispa tch.1

iSP''idi ~ i nc ! INES D1SpatCh.
washington, March 1i.-Had Con-
sress passed the militia pay, bill
which went through the House success
fully and which remained a possibility
In the Senate until the closing hours
II the session, there would now In all
probability be speeding toward the
Mexican frontier a large portion OF tho
National Guard of the United states
In fact. after tho session ended MANY
persons We're not aware that lust be-
lore II came TO a close the measure
mat would have placed every soldier
within the country practically under
Federal control had been smothcred
70 death by the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs. a
The Steeperson bill. which vas sue
cessfully engineered through the House.
proposed In substance to make a re-
serve corps Of all the State troops. The
enlisted men were to receive s4s a
year each for attending q certain num-
Der Of drills, and to receive in addition.
a percentage of the regular army pay
in time of war Likewise, officers were
TO secure pay for their time while not
under orders from the War Depart
ment and additional pay when at the
front.
The main objection to the bill in the
House was that It practically placed
the state troops under the control of
the Federal government, and many Of
the militia officers did not like that
feature. However. there We're enough
votes In the House TO put the bill
through and send it over to the Senate.
mere were certain amendments Of
Tered In the upper house WHICH were
not satisfactory to those Interested in
the matter. Both Senator's Dick and
Penrose-the former Of whom is ono
OF Ohio's best known military men
were eager to have the bill passed at
once but certain objections were raised
Among these was the argument that II
would take from the Federal treasury
at the outset between 100000 and
SS,Oo0.0o0. This seemed to be the blow
that gave the measure its death
though other objections also were con-
sidered before the matter was allowed
TO go over to another session.
Those who desired to see the enact
ment of this measure pointed to the
TACT that in some parts OF the country
the national guard Is in deplora BILE
condition, totally unfit TO render
service TO the government If called
upon, and that If the State troops are
TO continue to be the beneficiaries OF
the government that they should be re
CURED TO show greater degree OF
S'ttSiSiSS dH0' HOlIlly.
With no knowledge whatever re-
earding camp sanitation where a very
large number of tn. NJ would be en-
canped. and with only the most meas gre
IDEA OF their duties, 1t was pointed
out that should 1t become necessary
at any time TO call upon the State
troops to assist the regulars they
would DO menace to the Federal au-
thorities moro than a help, because OF
the fact that outside of the two weeks
experience had In camp life every sum
mcr-not ali of which Is wLrk and
none warfare--many Of the troops are
unframed.
There is every reason to believe that
at the next session OF ConGress-pos-
sibly a the extra session soon to be-
gin--another effort will be made 10
get the militia pay" bill through, and
1t is not improbable that the matter
Will end In success the present slim
ulus on the Mexican frontier causing
many OF those in the national guard to
ask for its passage. p. II. MEG.