Denver labor bulletin., 1915-05-15
CHASE MUST TELL
OF MILITIA THEFTS
War Office Wants to Know
About Stealing of Arms
Attempt Being Made to Organize Negro
Battery in Denver to Retain $l75,-
600 Worth Of Federal Equipment

Adjutant General John Chase of the
Colorado National Guard is in Washing
ton this week trying to explain to the
war department the disappearance OF
500 worth of government property,
consisting of rifles, cartridge belts and
other equipment intrusted to his keeping
during the late coal mine strike in this
state. The general will also try to ex-
plain away other delinquencies of the
guard. such as being over differed and
undermined and low ebb of recruiting,
for the war department has given notice
that $4,000 worth OF battery and other
equipment is to be withdrawn.
Respectable white men of Colorado
having refused to join the state militia
and many former members having quit
in disgusts since the Ludlow massacre, an
attempt is being made to organize n
negro battery in an effort to retain the
equipment furnished by the war depart
ment A meeting of negroes between the
ages of Is and 45 years was called by
Colonel j. b. Goodman to be held at the
armory, Twenty-sixth and Curtis streets.
1t was hoped to secure $50 enlistments,
which are required by army regulations,
and it would be the only negro state
guard battery in the United States. BE
up to date they have not responded in
sufficient numbers to form battery.
Equipment Stolen by Mine Guards.
General Chase will have a hard time
making satisfactory explanation OF
what became of the 81 500 worth OF
guns, belts, etc, belonging to the govern
ment 1t was turned over to mine
guards and thugs who were enlisted dur
g,., 4rsI~ l.
after the war was over.
1t is reported from Washington that
the war department is completely out OF
patience with Colorado's militia, describ.
ing it as "an organization on paper
only" and declaring that it is over-offi-
cered and undermanned. 1t is said that
official inspections have revealed many
serious shortcomings which the depart
ment does not believe can be corrected in
the reasonable time it would allow il
federal aid is to be continued
The falling off in the number OF re-
cruits, ii is pointed out, has caused the
various units of the guard to be main
tanned at \ high fictitious strength. In
some cases "a corporafs guard is listed
as a company and, while many OF the
privates have left the organization, most
OF the Officers have stuck, giving the
whole guard an extremely topheavy as
pect.
Where Blame May Fall
The war department turns the prop
erty over to the state for use by its
guard. and the higher guard officers dis
tribute it to the commanding officers OF
the different companies. The company
officers are supposed to be checked by
the higher guard officers in their pro-
lection of the property. Blame for any
disappearance OF the property may fall
thus both upon higher and lower grade
officers.
Lieutenant Jesse +. Buell. accompanied
Chase to Washington as first aid in ex-
planning the dirty dealings and crooked
work of the guard in handling govern
ment property. It will be remembered
that few months ago The Bulletin pub
lshed story of how the guard officer,
collected bar-room flies. promising them
50 each for putting on uniforms and
standing in line for inspection during
visit to Denver of war department Of
ficial This exposure started the inves-
tigation which has convinced the govern.
ment officials. that the militia is not
only composed of crooks but - obtaining
funds from the war department under
false pretenses.