The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-02


Washington. December What Will
Congress do with the Pepper militia
pay bill? Military men all over the
eourSxy are closely following TINS
measure. and its consideration at the
last session OF Congress brought OUT
both favorable and unfayorable criti-
cism.
In order to maintain the standard of
efficiency now required OF the national
guard which must be Insisted upon
If il is TO be considered q dependable
force, an enlisted man must attend
regular instruction in the armory, In
Guiding gallery practice. target prac-
tice on the range. and not less than
from FIVE to ten days instruction In
camp each year.
The law requires attendance ct not
less than twenty-four drills each year.
and, as stated. ive days spent in camp
instruction, but the present state OF
efficiency demanded by the Federal
government cannot be reached with
out devoting additional time. especi-
ally on the part OF the officers.
one of the main objects of the bill
is to pay officers and enlisted men
amounts according TO the duties re-
ouired of them, so that man may
serve without financial sacrince, ana
in order that the National Guard may
have the service of a larger number
of young men throughout tint country
who cannot now join it because of the
financial obligations which must be
met by them.
From last reports the National
Guard is not holding its own The
best figures available showing a de-
crease Of 1912 men
The present cost 20 the Federal gov
eminent for training the National
Guard is something like S5.o0O.O1O
year. In addition 10 this the several
States make their own appropriations
for their troops. and the aggregate
amounts SO appropriated are about
equal to the total amount allowed by
Congress for ali militia purposes
In order to provide an additional
safeguard for the Federal government
and to insure proper care of equipment
issued to the States. 1t is proposed that
stoppages may be made against the
amounts going to members TO pay for
loss Of property By members OF the
guard
One of the most important provis-
ions Of the whole bill Is that requir-
ing organizations to be transferred as
organized. tactically. at the date when
the call Is made. This section. L IS
believed, will encourage the organ
ization of the National Guard on prop
er tactical lines. 1t must be so or
gained before IL can take the field
and fight IL the forces of the va
rious States are properly balanced. II
is not difficult to mold them into
tactical units of higher order IL
they are not so organized. 1t means
that units must be drawn from a
- - nit sd
Stats, in order to make UP the tacti-
cal divisions
But there IS considerable objection
In many states 20 the passage OF this
OIL Among other things. II has been
said that II Federal pay Is allowed the
National Guard. IL will grow rapidly
in number and influence. and that Il
will use its influence to Increase It's
demands upon the Federal govern
menL This proposition Is not tenaoic,
friends Of the bill say. and they FUR
Their take the position that the meas
ure will not only be the means OF re-
1uvinating the National Guard. II
passed. bu; that Il Will put new he
into IL upon such a basis as could not
possibly BE- secured IN any other way
Ia view 81 this opposition. military
men everywhere would welcome the
passage OF a bill. whether the one re-
fcrred % OF some other. which woulc
work for their beneat and Tor the
ceneht OF the States they serve
IL S. quite likely that within
very short time active steps VIII BE-
taken By the House Committee on
Military Affairs to set military nat
.crs under way for the present scs-
rion
There II every means 20 believe that
with certain amendments which arc ac-
ceptabie 20 all persons. and which VIII
soon be proposed. the hil VIII DC
oassed AZ this session % Congress.
p II. MEG