The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1913-02-28
Coke Presents Opening Resolu-
ton, Which Is Slid Into
Legal Hands.
JONES is NOT AT ALL WORRIED
Says He Need Not Be Forced to
Make Public the Regular
Officers Reports.
tFrom "Wednesday Advertiser)

A temporary victory was won by
those who would delay legislative in
vestigation of the affairs of the Ma
tional Guard of Hawaii yesterday when
Senator Coke's resolution calling upon
the adiutant general to furnish the SEN
ate forthwith with copies of all field
and inspection reports of the militia
made by officers of the United States
Army within the past two years was
sent to the judiciary committee. 1t IS
limited that these reports show the inet-
ficiency of the militia and even incom-
potency of those at the head of the mil
tia. 1t is also stated that many of
these reports have been kept from the
public and that when they are finally
brought to light they will reveal con-
dition which demands immediate rem
edying.
Senator Coke, though a Democrat,
maintains that this is entirely non
political affair and for that reason he
did not oppose motion to have his
resolution referred to the judiciary
committee. 1t is understood that an eff
fort will be made to have that COM
mittee report on the resolution today
or as soon as il can be reached on that
committees file. Following is a copy
of the resolution:
Be it resolved that the adjutant
general of the militia be and he is
hereby requested to forthwith fur
nish the senate with copies of all
field and inspection reports cover
ing the period of two years last
past made by officers of the United
States ARMY of and respecting the
militia of the Territory of Hawaii.
Beginning of Fireworks.
"That marks the beginning of the
fireworks,'' said one of the Republican
floor leaders in the senate, after Coke s
resolution was read yesterday. The
action. coming so soon after the reports
of national guard conditions, published
in The Advertiser yesterday morning,
would indicate that those who are striv-
ing to place the militia on sound foot
ing, plan to begin their fight in the
legislature without further delay.
No Resolution Needed.
Col. J. w. Jones, adjutant general of
the guard, when informed last night
that the senate is planning to investi-
gate his administration of militia af-
fairs, stated that he had not heard OF
the fact.
"It will not be necessary for the sen.
ate to compel me to hand over copies
of all field and inspection reports made
by United States Army officers respect
ing the militia of Hawaii said Jones
81 will gladly place these at the com
mand of the senate at any time
els it true,'' the colonel was asked
"that many of these reports criticize
the efficiency of the national guard2
81 would prefer that the reports
should speak for themselves in answer
to that question:" said the colonel af
ter slight hesitation.
cit is a well-known fact" said 6
member of the legislature yesterday
"that the National Guard of Hawai-
has been in poor shape for long time
that the Territory has been paying out
money for a service which is bringing
it no return. OF eight companies il
the regiment they were able to put lesl
than one hundred and fifty men in lint
at the military parade last Saturday
There is no enthusiasm, no discipline
Good soldiers and officers have beer
dropping from the service and it i
plainly apparent that changes are ne
cessary. The present condition of thu
guard may result in the militia of Ha
wall losing its share of the govern
ment appropriation for the support o
the national guard. We are not abl
even to comply with the comparativel!
easy requirements of the federal gov
eminent. Under such conditions the or
ganization should either be disbandet
and the money we have been spending
for its support devoted to some usefu
purpose, or it should be reorganized
Otherwise if conditions show where tn
laxity exists the retirement of few
officers prominent in national guard af
fairs in the Territory would have
wholesome effect.