Evening star., 1915-06-11
Brig. Gen. Harvey Issues
Statement in Discussing I'm
pending Reorganization.
FIRST HE HAS MADE SINCE
COMMISSION WAS SIGNED
Predicts That With Hearty Coop.
Grafton of Citizens Highly Ef-
fcient Militia Will Result.

Brig. Gen. William E. Harvey. newly
designated head of the National Guard
OF the District of Columbia, in a state
ment issued today. discussed the i'm
pending reorganization of the guard,
in which he commented highly on the
spirit manifested by many of the Off
GERS who have expressed willingness
to accept appointments to lower rank
reorga nization. In his statement. the
first he has made since his commits
sion as brigadier general was signed
by President Wilson, Brig. Gen. Har-
yey said:
"The first work to be carried through
is the reorganization of the guard to
conform to orders issued by the war
Department. Before my appointment
was made board of officers was con-
vened. consisting of Col. Ourand, Lieut.
Col. Young. Lieut. Col Stephan, Maj.
Gently detailed as the adjutant general,
and myself. That board has taken up
in detail the records of the officers,
with a view to making the selection
solely on the consideration of eff
cheney.
The last three annual inspection re-
ports have been taken up. examined
and carefully analyzed. Officers who
were found qualified in their present
rank will be retained in it if there is
place open to them. If there is no
place open to them in their present
rank they will be given commission
in the highest rank that is open to
them.
Many Willing to Accept Demotion.
"A considerable number of the Of
ficers have already expressed their
Willingness to accept demotion if 1t is
their part to take it. In this regard
the spirit displayed has ~en very
fine. 1t is exactly what l expected
from the officers of the organization.
for they have served in the National
Guard with a very high sense of de-
votion to duty. 1t is, of course, hard
for man who has held rank to ac-
cept reduction. but the officers have
been made to understand that the ac-
ceptance of commission at a lower
grade under the circumstances Of the
reorganization is not to be considered
Is reflection on the officer. Indeed,
lower grade may be taken as an in
dication Of the soldierly qualities of
the man-to accept what comes to him
in a military way without question
and without comment.
Looks to Community for Support.
THE maintenance Of the National
ganization, is dependent in large meas
ure upon the support which 1t receives
fsom the community. In some places
the guard is supported with great en-
thusiasm and the efficiency of the or
of civic pride.
Washington have taken this public
spirited view Of National Guard work.
II man applies for leave to attend
Washington let him off II it Is possibl
to do It, Both Of the trade organiza
tions here have gone on record as
favoring the active support of the Ma
tional Guard by the business people
and citizens generally.
Former Statements Recalled.
Two years ago 1 prepared two state
ments which were printed and widely
distributed, one addressed to the possi-
BILE recruit, entitled, What Can a
Young Man Gain by Joining the Ma
tional Guard? and the other addressed
to the people of Washington. entitled.
The National Guard-How to Improve
tt At this time I do not think of any
thing to add to either of these state
ments. The last mentioned one quotes
the resolution adopted by the Board OF
Trade, and since 1t was printed the
Chamber Of Commerce has adopted one
along the same lines.
IF we get from the business people
of Washington the sort of support that
the trade bodies have recommended, |
given with willingness and enthusiasm, |
with a feeling that by encouraging
Young men to enlist and by giving them |