The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-02-18
Federalizat alton of the National Guard.

ederaiixa alton OF the National Guard.
Washington, Feb. 15.-The National
Guard has filed its answer to the charge
thst the militia cannot be federalized
and made dependable factor in the
nations program for defense. This bv
the testimony of its representatives who
appeared before the committees of Con.
gress, and even more effectively by the
preparation of bill which presents
their recommendations in concrete form.
This bill was prepared at the request of
the Senate committee on military affairs
and has been submitted to Senator
Chamberlain. With Mr. Garrison and
his continental army idea out Of the
cabinet it is believed this bill will be
made the basis of legislation.
This legislation which is now proposed
by the executive committee of the Ma
tional Guard association of the United
States is something more than a mere
pay bill" 1t is complete militia
code and presents the most comprehen-
sive plan which has as yet been offered
from any source for the training of the
citizenry of the country under the
volunteer system.
The provisions of the bill are likely to
commend it to popular favor. The
President and Chairman Hay of the
House committee on military affairs
have both declared themselves opposed
to the principle of compulsory military
service, and in this they no doubt re-
fleet the views of the mass of the
American people. Those who have been
closely observing developments at
Washington are now practically agreed
that the liberalization of the militia
under an improved and uniform system
is the only plan likely to receive the
favorable consideration of Congress.
The bill offered by the representa-
tives of the National Guard deals in de.
tail with the four functions of federal
control recognized under the constitu-
tion. viz: Organization, armament. dis
cipline, which includes training and
government. 1t is believed to provide
the means for overcoming all of the
objections which have been urged at
the War Department against the pre-
sent military system, and includes
uniform method for the selection and
appointment of commissioned officers; a
standard of physical and professional
qualification for them, and a method
for eliminating the unfit; it fixes the
tenure of commissioned Office and term
of enlistment; makes provision for a
reserve system; specifies the quota of
troops to be furnished by each state
within a given number of years, and
gives the President the right to draft
and organize the militia in any state
which may fail to raise volunteer
force, If he deems it proper to do 30.
The bill establishes a uniform system
of court martial for the National Guard
and makes that force subject to the
articles of war; it denies to any state
the right to maintain troops other than
as organized under the proposed act, or
to disband any unit of the militia which
has been armed and equipped and en-
joyed the benefits Of federal support
except with the consent of the Presi.
dent
The bill provides for the abolishment
of the national militia board, and would
create militia section of the general
staff, to be appointed by the President
by and with the ADVICE and consent of
the Senate, to be composed of National
Guard officers whose duty 1t shall be to
recommend to the Secretary of War
policies for the improvement and de.
velopement of the National Guard.
More extended periods of field training
and more than double the requirements
of existing law as to indoor or armory
instruction is called for.
MARK FOOTE.
Congressman Fordney is of the be.
lief that some provision should be
inserted in the proposed bill to assist in
meeting the expense of maintaining all
State armories and will propose such a
plan to the proper committee.
The Y. M. G. A. members had an un.
usually pleasant evening Tuesday at an
1886 party. Old time games and
customes furnished amusement and a
delicious lunch was served.
The children Of the late Mr.. and Mrs.
Eben p. Bliss, deceased, late of Rush,
were in the probate court, Monday,
arranging for the partition of the prop.
erty. The heirs present were, Arthur,
Jesse and Eben Bliss of Rush, and
Lemuel Bliss of Oakley. Two other