Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-12
M|L|T|AMEN HERE
/ FOR CONFERENCES
Problem of Making the Guard
More Effective Subject of
d, Discussion.
PAY BILL IS EXPECTED
TO AROUSE CONTROVERSY
State Soldiery Said to Be Opposed
to Increased Federal
u Control.

Important conferences on various prob
lens connected with state militia organi-
cations and other civilian military bodies
were inaugurated here today with 4 meet
ing of the national militia board. Later
In the day tho national board for the pro-
motion of rife practice. consisting of rep
resentatives from all parts of the coun-
try. met with Henry S. Breckenridge as
sistant secretary of war. Tonight con-
ference will take place between the exec
utive committee of the National Guard
Association and the adjutants general of
the National Guard of the several states
Because of the great amount of BUSH
ness to be transacted some of the meet
ings probably will continue until Wednes-
day night, when the board of directors
of the National Rifles Association will
discuss measures for the Encouragement
of civilians in the use and knowledge of
firearms.
To Plan for Maneuvers.
1t is expected that the national militia
board will consider such questions as
equipment. discipline and organization of
state militia. Special consideration will
be given to the participation next sum-
mer of the National Guard with the troops
VI tHe regular army III JOINT maneuVerS
me mobilIZation of militia troops and
their relation to the regular army in time
OF peace are among the other questions
likely to involve extended discussion.
AS the Dick act. as well as the much
controyerted circular putting into effect
the organization clause is already be-
ing enforced. it is not believed that those
measures will be vital issues at this
gathering unless an attempt is made to
bring about amendment of the meas
which hat oil
militia bodies to share federal aid must
conform in organization and equipment
to regular army standards.
Meeting Dick Law Terms.
War Department officials today pointed
out that reports had been received from
state militia organizations throughout the
the country, stating that orders either
had been or would be issued which would
bring the several bodies of militia troops
under the requirements of the Dick act
States which have already issued such
orders include New Jersey, Florida.
Idaho. Georg a, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland,
Missouri, Montana Ohio. Illinois. Maine.
Oklahoma. Kansas and Tennessee
are New Mexico, New York. Rhode
Island, South Carolina. Texas, Vermont
Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
Ala baIna, Delaware and Kentucky.
But while the Dick act and the circular
putting it into effect may not come to
the front in the discussions, especially at
the meeting of the militia board begin
ming today and the conference of adju-
tants general tonight. a spirited contro-
versy, some officials believe. is likely in
both meetings when consideration of a
militia pay bill Is reached. Secretary
Garrison is known not to favor any mill
tia pay bill which does not give the
United States a greater jurisdiction over
Ha mi 70
them on foreign service. Scores of militia
officers are known to dissent from that
view. and it is said strenuous resistance
Of greater federal control will be made.