The Washington herald., 1915-01-30

II the Federal militia bill, which is now
under consideration by Congress, is en-
acted in accordance with the recon-
mendation of the committee, and also in
accordance with the action which has
been taken for years, then there will be
full recognition Of the nine great historic
military organizations OF the United
States. There has been recently some in
timation that an effort might be made to
persuade Congress to strike from the bill
that section of it which recognizes these
organizations as a part of the organized
militia. That is section 8. and 1t il the
section which heretofore has embodied in
the law full recognition Of these various
organizations.
What the motive may be which actu-
ates those who may undertake to per-
suade Congress to eliminate section is
only a matter of surmise. There should,
however, be no action of this kind taken
by Congress until there is a full under
standing OF what the relation of these
organizations to the active organized
militia really is and has been for years.
II we take, for instance, as representa-
tive of all these organizations, the
Veteran Corps Of Artillery of the State
Of New York: 1t was organized in the
city of New York on November 25. 17sc,
clusively by officers and soldiers OF the
War of the Revolution. Nearly all Of
these had served in the Second Regiment,
Continental Corps of Artillery, in that
war. At the time of the war OF 1872 the
organization was again in the military
service of the United States. and once
more in 1914: and in 1874 il was recruited
exclusively from the veterans who were
of honorable record in the war of 1872.
| Today the membership is limited by law
to descendants Of those who served in one
or another OF the wars for American in
dependence.
Oldest In New York state.
The organization is the oldest mill
York. 1t is organized as a battery
OF artillery, and is a part of the
active organized militia OF the State.
1t is fully uniformed, armed and
equipped. 1t performs it's regular
tours of duty and drill, and is liable
to annual inspection. Various writ
ten reports of it's inspecting officers
at the recent inspection and muster
these officers being of high rank in
the United States Army and the Ma
tional Guard of the State of New
York-speak in approval of the ap-
pearance, the soldierIy discipline, the
care and attention to detail, the
thorough execution of the manual of
inspection, and state that the drill
by the battery was we'll executed, and
tice and revolver competitions are
highly commendabIe. Furthermore,
the reports say that the men Of the
organization, in addition to their high
character and intelligence, possess
practical knowledge of their duties
and of the drill regulations of the
arm in which they are serving. and
are of the material that would make
resourceful and efficient officers Of
volunteers in case of war. The bat
terry as at present organized and OFF,
cered would make an effective force
for use in any riot or other civil dis
order. Gov. Hughes and Gov. Dix.
while serving as governor, both ex-
pressed great interest in and approval
of the Veteran Corps of Artillery.
This corps is commanded by Mai
Charles Elliot Warren, who, previous
to taking command, had long service
in the National Guard of the State of
New York. both in the ranks and as
an officer. and also upon the staff of
the brigade commander.
The organization is as efficient, as
serviceable and as valuable an accessory
OF the militia as can be found in the
State of New York. Section 3 of the
national law recognizes this and the eight
other historic military organizations as
part of the organized militia of the
United States. II section Of the militia
law were to be eliminated, then this his
toric corps would no longer constitute a
part of the organized militia of the
United States.
Other Organizations Affected.
The nine historic military organizations
of the United States which would be
affected and very likely disbanded in
case section 3 OF the national militia law
were eliminated in the new bill are
these:
First The Ancient and Honorable Ar
tillery Company of Massachusetts. Bos-
ton. This organization stands first on the
list, so far as its historical relation to