Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1916-06-22
National Guard
In Politics

american Union Against Mlllt0Rl0M.)
Our prediction that If the proposed
subsidy to the National Guard went
into effect. the country would be con-
fronted with a political-1nilitary ma
chine organised to carry on a deter
mined campaign for more funds and
still more funds, has geen confirmed
with startling promptness. We have
come into possession Of an artless leu
ter written by General A. B. GRETCHEN
field of the Ohio National Guard, con-
graduating the members of the militia
on the victory won for them in the
passage of the HayChamberlain bill
and urging that the guardsmen make
1t their business to rally around the
candidacy of congressman and senators
who are pledged to aid the National
Guard in getting what it wants. The
letter, which is dated May %. ought
to be thoroughly ventilated. 1t follows
in full:
/ my Dear Comrade:
After spending more than five
months in Washington, cooperating
with the National Guardsmen from all
parts Of the country in an effort to
have pending legislation for the
Strengthening of the .country's defense
based upon the National Guard, which
is the only body of citizen soldiery al
ready organized for that purpose. feel
1t my duty to address members Of the
National Guard concerning the situa-
tion in Congress.
"In framing this pending legislation,
strenuous efforts We're made to de-
stroy the National Guard. by substi-
tuting another body of volunteers.
How near those efforts came of sue
cess is not generally nown. 1t need
only be said that the National Guard
I had a most narrow escape.
After months OF untiring effort, un-
der the most trying and discouraging
conditions, many provisions beneficial
| to the National Guard were incor
porated in the proposed legislation,
among other things provision being
made for the liberalization of the
Guard, which OF course includes more
liberal support by the federal govern
ment and carries with 1t a greater de-
gree of efficiency. However, much alb
solutely necessary for the development
and future success of the Guard 10 yet
to be secured.
THE greatest difficulty encountered
in this particular matter is the lack
of intimate knowledge of the National
Guard by most members OF Congress
due to their never having served there.
in majority Of the members Of thu
House of Representatives and of the
Senate were friendly and willing to de
all in their power to aid, but could mo-
be of the greatest service because o.
their unfamiliarity with the value Of
the National Guard and it's needs.
ITO remedy this situation, in ny
opinion. it is of the greatest import
ance that everyone having the inter
ests of the National Guard at heart as
sist so far as possible in securing thu
nomination and election as Members o.
the House Of Representatives. ant
more particularly of the United State
Senate, Of men who have seen servic'
in the National Guard and are there
fore familiar with its efforts. its &C
complishments, its needs, and especial
~ the handicaps under which servic
in the Guard IS performed
I'VE have, in my opinion, an oppor
ttunity in Ohio this year to make
step III the right direction by assist
ling III the nomination Of former Sen
Z ator Charles Dick. who Is q candidat
for denomination for United State
Senator on the Republican ticket .
] che coming primary. to be held Augui
Sth.