New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-05
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.
Militia Complains About War
Departments Action.
From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, October 4.


NILITIAMEN DISSATISFIED WITH
WAR DEPARTMENT.-The War Depart
ment is criticised In national guard cir
cies because Of its efforts to put into
effect the laws passed by Congress pro-
viding for the national guard organiza-
tions and authorizing the expenditure OF
money for their support.
The National Guard Association meets
in Chicago next week, and 1t is believed
charges will be made by some of the
leading militia officers. 1t Is said in some
quarters that the army officers have been
free to use the political influence Of the
national guard whenever 1t was to their
interests to do so. but have ignored the
national guard when considering matters
of vital interest 10 it.
A Pennsylvania critic says that the last
Increase of the number OF army officers
was due entirely to militia influence. with
the understanding that officers were to be
detailed as instructors of the national
guard. They complain that although more
than 200 officers were added to the number
of regular army officers, no assignments
were made as a result of this increase.
and the militia authorities are told that no
officers are available for that duty.
The army officers, on the other hand,
insist that the national guards Of the va
rious states have been slow to comply
with the new law, and in many cases
have utterly failed to do so. although in
sisting at all times upon full benefits un-
der the law. The government Is now
spending more than 100000 year on
the national guard, and the army officers
believe the government should profit by
this expenditure. a new militia bill has
been prepared, which will be considered
at the convention in Chicago, which
covers some of the questions causing the
most difficulty between the War Depart
ment and the national guard organiza-
tons. The executive committee OF the
association has not accepted the War De-
partment bill and has drafted one en-
todying It's own ideas.
The War Department proposed to make
the national guard a dependable force TO
supplement the regular army in time OF
war or other grave emergency. The de-
partment bill is so drawn as TO secure in
time of peace such a measure OF federal
control over the disbursement Of allot-
ments which are provided for as VIII
bring about a properly balanced national
force and that organization and training
which are essential if the militia is TO be
considered a military asset
WOULD SEEK FAULTS IN NAN
AGEMENT.- Efforts are being made to
induce Secretary Daniels to make an
other investigation of conditions In the
naval foundry OF the New York Navy
Yard, which he ordered closed on the
recommendations of naval board, be-
cause it was found that castings could
ne obtained for less cost from private
concerns.
The order, which resulted in the dis
charge of a number Of employees, has cle-
ated much discussion. 1t grew out Of
the comparatively high cost of castings
made at the yard foundry for the pat
tleship New York. Bids were obtained
showing that the castings could be pur-
chased for about one-third of what the
yard steel plant charged.
The yard cost was found considerably
greater than the bids submitted by Amer
lean commercial manufacturers, and
when compared with bid submitted by a
British manufacturer was found 10 be
excessively high. Some Of the officers at
the yard objected to purchasing the steel
castings from outsiders, and the matter
was referred to, the Navy Department.
The result of the report Of the board was
the closing of the plant and the dis
charge of the employees. 1t is believed
that the New York yard should be able
to make castings for the battleship' and
il is now suggested that a further IN
vestigation be conducted and the ques-
tion determined as to whether or not
there Is fault in the administration OF the
plant.
, The conditions at the New York Navy
Yard are believed to be due to the man
ner I'm which the foundry problem has
been treated as a whole by the navy yard
department As compared with the ma
chine shop, the foundry work has been
discredited, and the conditions relating 10
Raz y