The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-17

Capt Wesley ?. Newton, Alabama Ma
tional Guard, resigned. says that mill
tary in Birmingham is on the decline.
He states emphatieally that the enlisted
men are not to blame for this and also de-
clares that the blame cannot be placed
upon the officers of the National Quart
He believes that Inc merchants and bns-
ness men of Birmingham are responsible
for what he calls the present lack of ef-
tciency in the Alabama National Guard OF
this city. The captain says that mer-
chants refuse TO allow their employees
leave of absence to attend camps OF
special instruction schools.
Captain Newton has been actively idep
titled with the military life of Birming
ham for more than nine years past. and
is, therefore, in Il position to speak au-
thoritatively. He has received several
medals as the best drilled man in mis-
company and mas attended several nation
al maneuver encampments. He has
served in every capacity from private TO
captain and only recently resigned the
captaincy of Company l., Fourth regi-
ment, ALBANIA National Guard, stationed
at East Lake.
"The zenith OF efficiency Of the Ala
bama National Guard was attained in
1905, and it has been on the decline since
19oS," declares Captain Newton. THE
reason for this decline can never be placed
before the enlisted men or the officers
of the companies in Birmingham, but can
be traced directly to the conditions that
have surrounded the men and officers.
Real Need for National Guard
There has not been real need for the
National Guard in Birmingham since the
miners strike in -90S, and as a result the
merchants have seemingly withdrawn
their support and approval of things mill
tary. They approved and supported us
when we were needed, but since there
seems to be no further need for a military
organization they can see no reason for
uor keeping in training. The fact that
national guardsnen should keep in train
ing will be quickly and forcibly impressed
upon the minds of rot only the people of
Birmingham, but of the entire country,
should the time ever come when it is
necessary for the guardsmen tc take the
field for active service.
MANY business men will doubtless say
that they nave not withdrawn their sup
port, but I can cite them to the many In
stances when our men were not granted
leave of absence to attend camp and spe-
cial instruction schools. Then, again,
many of the merchants and business men
will not permit their employees to join a
military company. What is this but
lit,
terial away from us? Few of these boys
ever enlist. for more than one term
three yeasr-and certain 1t Is that three
years in a military company will have
only a good effect on a, boys life, If the
boy is the right SORT.
Now, on the eve of summer encamp-
ments and schools of instruction, the state
has Withdrawn funds to send the various
outfits to camp and they must depend
upon the federal appropriation for rifle
practice. The only camp available for
Birmingham companies is the rife range
at Boyles. This fact, together with the
fact that the merchants are not support
ing military as they should is the cause
OF the decline of military in Birmingham,
and, too, in the state of Alabama. And 1t
is going to take some of the hardest
work known in the history of the Nation
al Guard to elevate local outfits to the
high state of efficiency SO much in evil
dence eight or nine years ago.
How They Are Encouraged
Men who were and are capable of keep |
ing a well disciplined company together
are getting out of the service and there
will be no inducenent to get them back |
unless our country should become involvco
in war. Many of these men are fitted by |
long experience and schooling n military |
colleges to be able leaders and adminis- |
trative heads. They have served through |
patriotic love for their flag and have re- |
ceived no compensation for their work |
except insult ami humiliation when they |
had occasion - appear upon the streets
In uniform. What glory Is to be found |
in serving a people who have no more re- !
spect for the colors and uniforms of their |
country than to make game of the boys |
who wear them through devotion? 1t |
seems that most people think that those |
who put on the uniforms do it only for |
display, and many people seem to have
assimilated the idea that all military Or
ganizations are made up of men who en-
joy themselves mainly by getting drunk |
and creating disturbances generally. And |
in this connection, I will venture the as
Sertlon that the proportlonate percentage |
of drinkers in the average military OUTFIT
will never reacn even one-third of those |
citizens who walk the streets of this or |
any other city. 1t Is rare indeed that one |
finds more than tive out of 60 members |
of a company of guardsmen who drink |
to excess. Yet, for those five, some peo-
pie will accuse the 55 and pass adverse |
judgment on the whole. Is this right, |
when we are trying to build up 50 strong
military men and possibly give the other |
five chance to redeem themselves? Az |
company commander and as a true spir- |
itrd guardsman, l have always punished |
my men for any breach of discipline but
/ always gave them another chance, Just
as is taught in all our schools and
churches. can hardly see how It is that
good. Christian people will declare that
a National Guardsmen is rowdy and |
person not fit to associate with, when
theq know so little about him. They pass
Judgment with out semblance of trial
and we have no recourse
'If success Is to come to the National
Guard in Brmngh9m, the merchants AMI |
business men of birmingham must Coop
crate with the officers and men. And IN |
order to do this 1t is imperative that re-
strictions upon employees egarding men,
bership in military organizations be re-
moved"
Captain NewtOn's Record
Captain Newton first entered the Ala
bama National Guard in March, 1904, Join
ing Company G, Third regiment. In
April of the same year he was member
of the best drilled squad In that company.
In June, 1904 Company G attended a bril-
do apoa at OWent0n and in kyop-