Imperial Valley press., 1913-10-21
Employers and the Militia

Army and Navy Register: 1t will
increased appreciation of the organ
lied militia a letter from an Atlanta
business man, which is published in
the Atlanta Constitution, concerning
the attitude Of that particular en-
ployer, who is described as repre-
sentative of the foremost business
establishments of the city, toward
employees who are members of the cit
izen soldiery. The Constitution in
dulges in the belief that the business
man of Atlanta appreciated the state
and national significance of the vol
unteer militia as manifested in rela-
ton to the annual encampment of the
Fifth regiment of the National Guard
of Georgia. Hitherto, there appears
to have been much difficulty in Sc
curing leave for all the members of
the militia in order that they may par
ticipate in these encampments. This
year the testimony of officers is to the
effect that the complaints in this par
ticular are few and that the general
disposition is to heartily cooperate.
Too much publicity cannot be given
to the sentiment expressed by the At
lanta business man, who said "It is
with pleasure that we grant vacations
at this time for ten of cur men who
are soldiers of the Fifth, though it vir-
tually closes one of our departments.
We think more of our men because
they belong to the militia and always
are willing to cooperate with the
regiment We believe it is the duty
.of every employer who possibly can
to so arrange the vacation schedule
that the employees may attend the
maneuvers and summer camps of the
Fifth
This is the sentiment which should
be entertained by those who have in
their employ members of the organ
lied militia and who are willing to
take their vacations with their mill
tary commands that they may be bet
ter soldiers and so contribute to the
efficiency of the organization to which
they belong. Presumably these same
employees would be entitled to some
sort of leave of absence from their
labors and it is to their credit that
they are willing to.spend their time
and devote their energies to the task
of fitting themselves for service with
the militia
The organized militia has had too
little appreciation in that direction,
hitherto. There have been instances
where employers regard as a detri-
ment the employmnt Of a young man
who is connected with the militia, and
in some instances this must have op-
Grated to the disadvantage of militia
organizations, because it is hardly to
be expected that a young man who
stands a chance of obtaining and who
needs a good position will not deprive
himself of position in order to realize
an ambition to serve with the national
guard. There has been no way, Of
course, of compelling employers to
grant privileges to militiamen in their
employ, and statutory compulsion on
the subject could easily be defeated
since an employer has it within his
power to discharge any man for the
| flimsieSt, or even for fictitious, rea-
sons without admittedly considering
the connection with the militia as an
influence to thar end. The expression
. on tie part Of the Atlanta business
mar IS ere which does him credit and
which We should .ke to see shared ~
employers throughout the country. The
/ incident has prompted the Atlanta
/ Constitution 10 mark: "The days Of
the tin soldiers are gone Under the
army REORGANIZATION scheme the vol
unteer militia is almost equivalent -
a second reserve Of the standing army,
These active and sturdy young men,
well trained and equipped, would be
among the first to respond to the cad
should the national peace ever be en-
dangered. Indeed, it is the presence
Of the national guard, properly off
cered and maintained, that makes it
relatively safe for this country to SUP
port regular army so ridiculously
out Of proportion to those of other
world powers"
Missionaries Meet Today