The Washington herald., 1914-01-19
1 = =
NO STAND TAKEN
ON MILITIA PAY
Garrison Denies Department
Has Committed Itself
on Proposal.
oNLYUlDER AMUSEMENT
Secretary of War Issues Statement to
Remove Danger OF Wrong
Public Impression.
ADJUSTMENT

Fearing that the public might get ths
wrong impression regarding the attitude
of the administration toward the pro-
posal of Federal pay for the organized
militia, Secretary Of War Garrison last
nisht issued q statement setting forth
| in unmistakable terms the position OF tne
aevernment. He explained that while
\ bin has been drafted and has been care
| fully studied by himself and all inter-
ested elements In the situation. the aa-
ministration has not yet committed u
self for or against the principle of FED.
10 as follows:
wants Pablic Informed.
IT haye observed in all the statements
with respect to the proposed militia pay
bill. which have seen, an implication
which Is unwarranted by the facts. i
would like the exact situation to be
known % that those who discuss 1t may
do 30 advisediy.
The implication or statement that !
refer to is that the War Department has
already committed itself to the principle
of paying the militia. The fact Is that
I have made II perfectly clear to every
one concerned that the administration is
not committed to the principle Of such
pay.
Every early in my administration Of the
department this matter was brought to
M attention. ! learned there was wide
spread interest in the subject. and that
| Il was very difncuit to pass properly upon
the principle involved because of dis
agreement AZ to details. Some wanted
the Federal pay without much regard. II
any, to what advantages the Federal gov
ernment would receive therefor: others
favored pay provided advantages not
otherwise obtainable by the Federal gov
ernment would result therefrom. The
whole subject was confused and impossi-
BILE Of treatment until crystalized- ]
stated clearly when the subject was first
brought to me that had formed no con-
clusion with respect to the advisability
OF the Federal government providing pay
for members of the militia guard. ]
suggested the desirability. 1 might even
say the necessity. of having concrete
proposition to pass upon. a bill which
would clearly set forth what the cost
would be and Just what would be Sc
cured by the payment thereof.
1T said that II the details OF a bill could
be agreed upon which contained all those
advantages to the Federal government
which the advocates of the principle ar
gued would demonstrate the desirability
of militia pay, would then take the
matter up with the President and an
nounce a conclusion thereon. There Is
and can be no misunderstanding Of my
position by any OF those who participated
In the consideration Of the matter; and
1t is to prevent a misunderstanding by
others thetI wish -sbEs- mattAg>propGly
sated.
Departments Considering Draft.
For the purpose OF having the subject
in its best possible shape. the suggested
draft of the bill has received the consid-
Grafton OF the Judge Advocate General
OF the army, the Militia Affairs Division.
the General STAFF, including a special
study by the War College. the executive
committee of the National Guard Asso-
citation, the adjutants general Of all the
States. and the national militia board. In
addition thereto ] have sent copies to the
respective chairmen of the Military AZ
fairs Committee Of the Senate and Of the
House. asking their consideration and
suggestions
|. when all this preliminary considera-
ton is completed. and a finished product
results, propose taking up the matter
with the President for the purpose OF
reaching a proper conclusion under all
the circumstances"