The farmer and mechanic., 1915-05-25

skeleton w men II 10 Coll- |
sdered that one or two undrilled men
can spoil the appearance of an entire
company, is it any wonder that Ma
tional Guard companies do not always
appear to the best advantage? 1t does
not signify that the average militia
man is not we'll drilled.
What would the army or navy of
the United States amount to II the
government did not have an efficient
recruiting service to supply its en-
listed personnel? The United States
spends vast sums Of money annually |
to secure recruits for each branch OF
the service. The recruiting branch Of
the service is as necessary part of
the army and navy as are their fight |
ing 'unitan5Ss
Therefore,, I advocate the establish
ment of a recruiting service for the
National Guard. Not to secure re.
cruits in exactly the same manner as
the army an navy do, but along SINH |
lar lines.
Would Bring Bands Into Play.
l would suggest that the regular
army bands be brought into play, and
that they be detailed by the War De-
| partment in conjunction with able pa
| triOtic speakers and recruiting officers
| to go to towns where a stimulus is
needed to induce young men to en-
, list.
Patriotic concerts by army bands
| which, as a rule, are not overburden>
| ed by their duties al the army posts,
| and speeches by able orators should
! tend to awaken the dormant patriot
ism in many young Americans and
cause them to joint the National
Guard.
Suitable literature, both in circu-
lars and billboard posters setting
| forth the advantages and benefits to
be derived from membership in the
| militia should also be an aid in secur-
ing recruits.
One of the principal aims Of the
Army League is to combat the sys-
tematic anti-military propaganda Of
various organizations and of certain
sections of the press, as occasionally
shown in apparent efforts to prevent
enlistment and to encourage deser-
: tions and dissentions in the existing
personnel.
The general public. perhaps, is not
aware that such anarchism and un-
Americanism exists in this country,
: but it is true nevertheless that the
, propaganda of these verious individu-
ais and organizations has had the
0 harmful effect ofp1acing the National
s Guard in an unfavorable light in the
f eyes of some people and it has un.
questionably prevented many good
@ men from enlisting therein.
t Army League Commendable.
( The action Of the Army League In
It this respect is a commendable one
S and should receive the support of al
I. good Americans.
: Sooner or later the government may
= be obliged to take drastic action II
regard to this matter It has taker
e years of unwarranted agitation ant
Q abuse to injure the National Guart
$, in this manner. It will take consid
y erable counter action to again plac'
e it in the esteem Of all the people
n where it rightfully belongs.
e Another point I wish to bring ou
II is the promiscuous use of the uniform
o or parts Of the uniform by person
the first things that officers are re
quired to teach their men is to tax
~ pride in their uniforms. What eff
- feet, then, does it have on men Of tn
~ regular army or the militia when the
20 see expressmen, cab drivers, mem
bers of lodge organizations, drum
corps. etc., wearing the same uniform
70 as they or SO near like it as to b
ct undistinguishable to the eye Of tn
g ordinary layman? These men may b
~ honorable enough in their respectiv
N callings, as far as that is concerned
:, y wear the uniform Of the America
,of soldier and it Is doubtful if such az
y, ton would be tolerated in any othe
- country. 1t does not tend to max
,,t the uniform respected, either by me
oa Of the service Or the public in genera
' . and no doubt this is why men in I'm
form are not welcomed in many put
lie places.
CIV There is law restricting the us
- Of the uniform to the men Of til
e : y service. 1t should be enforced to til
10 letter.
aai These are some of the reasons wT
Ia young men do not join the Nation,
Guard. These are some Of the thinf
that should be brought before tt
Ie powers that be at Washington.
,e-
he The Danger of It