Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-13
Secretary Garrison Discusses
Problems With Adjutants
General From the States.
MILITIA BOARD MEETS
IN BUSINESS SESSION
Receives Suggestions From Head Of
the War Department-Five
Subjects Submitted.

| general Of the National Guard of about
twenty-five states, who called to pay
their respects to him today, that the
National Guard has no more sincere
friend than he. The adjutants general
were asked to meet at Washington at the
time set for the assembling OF the ma
tional militia board. to go over various
questions of interest to the National
Guard organizations. including consid-
GRAFTON of the militia pay bill and the
brigade and divisional organization OF
the militia as outlined by the War De-
partment.
secretary Garrison reminded his Wis
1tors that in any organization, If it is eff
clent. there must be a seat of supreme
power. The best interests of the gov
ernment would be met, he said, by hav-
ing the War Department the center OF
authority in militia affairs
There should be- said Secretary
Garrison. some free, open channel OF
Guard and the Secretary of War
through which the National Guard OF
the entire country could make known
its needs. If there is not at present
such means of communication, 1 am
ready to receive suggestions any of
you can make to achieve that result"
Matter of Compensation.
Discussing the question of federal
pay of the militia, Mr.. Garrison said
he was in favor of compensating the
militia only to such extent as they
were obliged to sacrifice their civil
callings while engaged in militia
work Patriotism. he said, should be
the motive of service in the militia and
not the money received. Otherwise he
would favor increasing the regular
army, which, however. he said, he
never yet has advocated
Without efficiency" he said, "the Ma
t1onal Guard is a mere money-consum-
ing agency of no value whatever. I
wouldn't give a dollar for sentiment,
but ] would give every dollar possible
to make the guard more efficient
Mr. Garrison gave the adjutants gen
eral draft of a pay bill prepared in the
War Department and asked to have them
communicate to him their views on it.
He has already voiced his conviction that
the War Department should have a
larger jurisdiction over the National
Guard, including the right to send the
state militia on foreign service. He as
sured the officials that il possible he
would like to reach a common under
standing with them on the subject, SO as
to be able to lay before President VIII
son bill which he could recommend to
the chief executive as the best possible
question Of pay for the state troops.
Presents Five Topics.
Secretary Garrison has just five sub
jects which he desires the national mi
ljfia hoa rd to consider at tho pro~ant GAG
sion. They were submitted to the board
through the chief of staff
The first relates to the present method
Of allotment to the militia of the annual
appropriations by Congress and it is rec
commended that the law be changed. The
second proposes rules to prevent the
abuse of federal funds at target practice
The third suggests legislation to make
more effective the national militia board.
The fourth requests regulations to gov
ern award of the national trophy for
target practice. The fifth suggests leg
islation authorizing leaves of absence
without loss Of pay or time for federal
employees who are members of the organ
lied militia The last recommendation
is designed specifically to meet cases that
have recently arisen in the District of
Columbia where the heads of departments
have not felt authorized to grant such
leave.
The members Of the board are Brig
Gen. Thomas J. Stewart, adjutant gen
eral of the Pennsylvania National Guard,
president: Brig. Gen. Fred Lewellyn,
adjutant general of the Washington Ma
tional Guard; Brig. Gen f. A Wedge
tional Guard: Col Welden s. Metcalf of
the Kansas National Guard and Maj
Harry 5. Berry Of the Tennessee Ma
tional Guard.
No Decision Reached.
Sentiment has not yet crystallized
among members of the militia board
on the changes to be recommended in
response to Secretary Garrison's re-
quest. The problem involved in a
change in the method of allotting fed
eral funds to the state militia Is one
Of the most important questions to be
considered. At present the allotment is
based on the strength of the organized
militia in the states and territories. 1t
has beer suggestion in some quar-
tcrs tha. ...o proportion Of organized
militia to the population figure in the
distribution of federal funds.
The need of rules to prevent abuse in
the use of federal funds at target prac-
tice. to which Secretary Garrison calls
pointed out by officials at the War De-
partment
These officers would like to see the tar
get funds expended to create high av-
erage in craftsmanship in all of the state
organizations rather than that the funds
should be expended to develop single RI
fie teams. War Department officials
point out that the efficiency Of the mill
tia in time of war will depend upon a
good average craftsmanship rather than
upon a limited number of crack shots.
one Suggestion Pleasing.
Mr.. Garrison's request for suggested
legislation to make the militia board more
effective is gratifying to board members.
1t is suggested that 1t could be brought
about by giving the board the Initiative
in calling Its members together In coun-
sci rather than waiting upon the call of
the Secretary of War as at present,
The adjutants general in the afternoon
made an inspection of the Naval Academy
at Annapolis. They We're the guests OF
Gov. Goldsborough at the MARYLAND ex-
ecCtive mansion.
Macon Editor Critically Ill.
MACON, Ga. January 13-CoI. c, r..
Pendleton, editor of the Macon TeIe-