The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-01-07
u. s. STEEL WAGE INCREASE
AFFECTS THOUSANDS HERE

80 a. AA1A vs.
upon the citizens n not upon a pro-
fessional. paid military force con
stantly under arms n devoted solely
TO military pursuits. ! think IL IS
clear that from every standpoint
we can dismiss the suggestion that
the situation should be properly met
by a standing army of 100000 men.
constantly under arms.
The National Guard.
Turning to the National guard Mr..
Garrison said:
AT the present time this force con
sists OF approximately 129. 900 men
and officers. and il would therefore
be necessary II il is { o b. expanded
10 700 TO add 271.0OO men and
officers.
IF this policy should be attempted
TO be adopted. congress would first
have to require the ate 10 raise
and maintain all of these troops ana
the states would have TO practically
treble their existing equipment. | do
not 'fknow whether congress would
nave any power to impose his bur
den ape the states. IL seems TO me
h a a mere statement of this situa
ton indicates how utterly futile il Is
TO attempt this solution
Mr.. Garrison pointed out that the
National guard could be called in Fed
eral service only for three
10 suppress domestic i-nsurrection. to
enforce the law and to repel invasion.
and added There is no one thing so
free from dispute as that the basis
OF any proper military system must
be unity of responsibility authority
and control. 1t is absolutely impos-
sible to have this essential unity md
er the constitutional provisions with
respect TO the organized militia or
National guard.
The suggestion hat the situation
can properly be met by some sort OF
provision making these troops subject
10 call of the nation for all purposes.
in case OF war. instead OF only for the
three purposes specified in the Con.
stitution. overlooks and ~disregards the
fundamental basic troubie when his
remedy does not ever touch much less
cure. The National guard. however.
as il exists. is a Federal asset. II is
so circumstance that it can volun-
teer for service in time Of war and
be- taken in as IL exists. !. therefore.
propose a large addition 10 the Fed.
eral aid extended to the National
guard. so that the system may be
operated 10 its maximum capacity and
be available for the Federal purposes
specified. in its most effective condi-
ton.
The Secretary then outlined the
continental army plan which propOs-
as to raise 100000 men in annual in.
crements OF 1873. 900 each from dis
tricts approXimatinE the 400 Goa
cressiOnal districts. each to supply
1913 men annually. The men woulc
enlist for three years with the Cplors
and three years on furlough. and
would BE- armed. equipped and OIL
ccred. Their training would be done
by the officers and men of the regular
army organization and they would 0e
paid during the time Of their service
on the same basis as the regular
army.
For the convenience Of desigra-
lion. he continued. this force has
been called the Continental Army.
but Dr. Is q system Of federal yoluu-
teerS. raised. organized. equipped and
trained in time Of peace. There rs
absolutely nothing new IN this sus-
aestion. as IL has been a result
reached and expressed by the very
best military authorities this country
has produced. 10 will not have es.
capped your notice that This proposed
system is practically the same thing
as the Swiss and Australian systems,
Leaving our this supervision OF the
public schools and work therein Of a
military character. and compulsory
military service II compulsory mill.
tary service g. now desired Tor the
country. and legislation concerning t
ran be expected by the Congress.
then q short provision in the act will
accomplish IT, such "a clause would
provide that whenever the quota re.
Iuired Of any district by e certain
date Is short of b proper number
e. -clective process to Obtain that
number shall be put into effect
Turning 20 the question 81 The size
Of The regular army necessary to
train Do Continental and carry or
the various military activities - tho
War Department in normal times. Mr.
Garrison aid ~ had been demonstrat
cd fO him that a. mobile force OF 80.
600 70 10000 coast artillery troops
would serve ali needs such "A force
an increase Of nearly $4,000 over Tho
present army. he said. would be- com.
paratiF"ly inexpensive. would require
10 additional quarters and could Boo
recruited For these reason. Hc ra
commended tho addition uf ton roei
wrnt- OF infantry. -four REGIMENT Yl
fDIu artillery. o. rOmuarir. az coast
artillery. fifteen companio- oft EMF
r''r- and four aero squadron. fp fha
pro- on force. BRINGING tho eulisfe.
.'r'nafh i1 two year. up tp 1.t-H-
and 'h' number ~ ofIcere tY 1850
f anything whatever ~ taII, FL.