The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-19
LARGER NATIONAL
GUARD FAVORED
Senator Cummins Introduces a Bill to
Give an Organization of 100000
Men

WASHINGTON, Jan. l9.-Senator
Cummins of Iowa has introduced two
bills designed to give the United
States a National Guard of 100000
men in time of war and sufficient
number of trained officers. The Sena-
tor from Iowa believes that the de-
velopment of the National Guard Of
ters more feasible method of es-
tabilshlng an efficient citizen soldiery
than the Administration S continental
army scheme
One of the bills provides for the con-
version of the six army posts which
are not needed now for the regular
army, into federal reserve army
schools where four years course of
training shall be given. The instruc-
ton is to be of a character that will
enhance the value of the men for civil
life as well as for military service.
In the other measure he proposes
| that there shall be a reorganization of
the National Guard along the lines
| suggested in the agreement between
| the department of war and the rep
resentatives of the guardsmen two
years ago.
Under the Cummins army school
! bill, students are to be selected in the
| same manner as students for West
Point. Upon entering the school each
will agree to go into active service at
the request of the government at any
time before he reached the age of 10.
! Upon graduation, students will take
the rank of second lieutenant in the
regular army, but without duty or pay,
unless needed or in the event of war.
| While in civil life. however, they will
be compelled to serve as officers of the
| National Guard when selected for
such positions.
In explanation of this measure. Sen.
ator Cummins said: 1.-THE basis of the
bill is the reorganization of the Ma
tional Guard as agreed upon between
the representatives of the guardsmer
and the war department two years
ago The bill covering these conclu
sions was pending in Congress during
the whole of the last session, and i
has been introduced at this session by
Senator Chamberlain. The import o
the changes / propose are:
1.-The increase of the guard to 400
600 peace strength and 100000 wa
strength; an enlistment for three year
with no re-enlistment unless the en-
listed man is promoted to commits
stoned or non-eommissioned officer
trebling the time required to be spen
:. in camp maneuvers and rifle practise
!, relieving the National Guard of til
: obligation to perform police duty. Thi
provision does not take effect unit
: 1920 in order to give the States fu
: opportunity to organize some othe
! form of constabulary to handle riot
and disorders beyond the ordinary pt
> lice strength; limiting the selection G
!, officers for the National Guard as TO
= lows:
y ''To the graduates of the militar
schools suggested in the army post bill
!, to the graduates of other militar
= schools; from list of persons WI
). have passed an examination tn;
>. would make them eligible to becon
= second Iieutenants in the regul;
- army.
- Senator Cummins said that the e
= pense of carrying on this system wi
- be much less than the combined e
N pense of the National Guard and co
4 tinental army proposed b. the Admi
istration.