The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-02-17
NATIONAL GUARDS
WRITING own BILL
Measure Provides Pay For Mil
itia and Would Be "Sepa-
rate Branch" of Army
In War.

Washington, D. c.. Feb. 15.-The
proposals Of the National Guard as
ISOLATION for liberalization of the state
troops were before the military com
m1ttee of congress today in the form
of a bill drafted by representatives of
the association at the request of the
Senate committee. The regulations
contemplated are given force by a
provision limiting participation in the
federal pay feature to officers. men or
organizations complying with certain
specified requirements.
The scale Of annual pay proposed is
as follows:
Major generals, $500; brigadiers,
$500; colonies, $500; lieutenants col
onels, $3.50; majors, S525: captains,
$500; first lieutenants. $500; second
lieutenants, $3.50. Enlisted men would
be paid on the basis of rs per cent of
the a rates of the regular army, a
private receiving approximately $45 a
year.
500 for Each Congressman.
The maximum number of troops pro-
vided for by the bill is 500 for each
strength of approximately 200, 600, an
Increase of 10000 over the present
strength of the national guard.
They would form a separate branch
of the regular army in time of war,
when called into the federal service.
The act would take effect July 1, 1916.
The bill provides also for organiza-
ton of a junior guard composed of
boys between IL and Is, available for
active service only after every other
class of militia has been called out.
The juniors are subdivided into two
ci~asses-cadets, or those Of Is and
above, and adets of the second class,
those less than 15.
An enlistment contract would be re-
CURED, under which the soldier would
bind himself to serve the federal gov
eminent, within or without the con-
tinental limits Of the United States"
for a period Of two years, or until dis
charged, should the guard be called out
at any time during his three-year en-
listment period. The enlistment period
of any soldiers whose time was closed
to expiration when his regiment was
called out, would be extended automat-
ically.
Choice of Officers.
1t is proposed to do away with choice
Of officers by election and commissions
would be limited to specified classes
and granted only after examinations by
the war department.
Promotions during active service
would be made by the president from
the commissioned force or ranking or
| g~anization. dependent on the grade to
| be filled. This clause is aimed at ap-
pointments from civil life.
AT least As drills a year and par
I ticipation in annual field maneuvers
| would be required. An elaborate sys-
| tenn of regulations for training and dis
| cipline has been worked out.
LENDERS Of both the Senate and
House committee who had looked over
the measure said, today, it would re-
quire radical amendment in their opin-
ion before it would be acceptable to
congress.
For Larger Plungers.
Abandonment of the coast defense
by Admiral Grant. Limitation OF
cruising radius, unseaworthiness and
other limitations. he said, made it ad-
visable to build only suLmersibles OF
1000 ton fleet submarine type, of which
three have been authorized and none
IS yet completed.
Admiral Grant said he had positive
knowledge that German boats from
J-39 to U-5S, inclusive, displaced 500
tons on the surface as against $50 tons
for the K boats of the American navy
the largest in the service. For months
the German boats. | G said, had operat-
ed out of Helgoland. around Scotland
at a distance of 1900 miles from thei
base. 1t took them nine days to make
the round trip, he said, and they re-
manned On the operating station l:
avs unless driven to base sooner
through having used up the torpedo
supply.
Three OF these U boats. he said. could
keep the cycle working so one was
always on the operation station. T,
do the same thing. he added, the Unit
ed States would require 81 K class
boats because of their TODAY sea ser
vice limitation.