New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-08

national guard of the state at an early
date These changes will include, II is
expected, the abolition of the brigade
STAINS as at present constituted and a
virtual reorganization of these units TO
conform strictly to the organization OF
the United States Army. This will not
be very pleasant for a number of officers
In New York and other states fond OF
sporting gold lace, with little real mill
tary work 10 perform, but it is the man
date Of the Secretary OF War. based on
the reports Of army officers on duty with
the national guard.
Mr.. Garrison has informed other gov
errors, as well as Governor Sulzer, that
the national guard must now live up to
the national militia law. There is not a
single state in the Union. il is said. which
conforms strictly 10 the law
New York, with the largest national
guard force, comprising some 1900 Off
GERS and men, conforms more strictly to
the present law than any other state. and
Governor SulZer On the recommendation
Of Major General John F. Organ, COM
mandng, has already made important
changes in Organization to meet the de-
mands OF the War Department for more
field artillery and cavalry. The changes
TO be made so far as New York is con-
cerned relate to officers.
Secretary Garrison in his letter called
attention to the fact that although the
national militia law had been on the
statute books more than ten years. and
had been mandatory for the last three
years. its provisions had not been fully
complied with. In his letter he also
points out the organization that must be
strictly followed.
There are still few officers in the y. q.
y. Y whose chief function is to look
pretty at reviews and receptions, II Is
said, and make themselves agreeable.
In New Jersey and Pennsylvania and
the Southern States many generals and
colonies and officers OF lesser rank will
be very hard hit. In many states com
panies are sadly lacking in membership,
while the drill attendance IS poor. Some
regiments lack several companies, even In
the infantry. while other states lack cav
airy and engineers except on paper. De-
spite the great shortage Of men, there IS
IN the main no serious shortage OF Off
GERS.
The only changes on the staff Of Major
General Organ, of New York, TO conform
TO the law, II is understood, will be that
Lieutenant Colonel Romulus +. Walton
Adtutant General and Lieutenant Colone!
William G. LeBoutiler. chief surgeon,
will have their rank increased TO colonel.
10 conform to the army. while Lieutenant
Colonel Eugene W. Van G. Lucas, chief
engineer. will have his rank reduced to
that of major Under the army law the
staff Of General Organ can be increased
by the addition of a number Of officers,
and these can be detailed for service
wherever necessary.
For years the stats OF brigade COM
manders in the national guard OF New
York have been practically fixtures. IN
der the strict letter Of the law officers
serving on brigade STATS in the future
will be detailed from the several depart
mcnts or from the staff OF Major General
O'Rvan. Under the army organization
the only officers borne on the stan Of
brigade commander are an adjutant ana
en- aid. Any other officers needed are
specially detailed, but these are very
few.
4 number Of staff officers. II is said,
will be either made supernumerary or be
sent back to STAFF departments Another
probable change will be among the colo
nels of the three coast artillery regiments.
The War Department has pointed out
that there are too many colonies for the
number Of troops enrolled I'm the coast
artillery