New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-28
UNIONISM IN NATIONAL DEFENCE
Former Member the National Guard Against the
Selfish Opposition Of That Organization to Plans tor Prepared
ness Which Do Not Swell Its Appropriations.
Appropriations.

sary regulations of the United States War
Department for an efficient national force
And an effort to secure this is what will
happen every time when an executive order
runs counter to the feeling and fact of club
interests which are the foundation principle
in the organization Of the national guard
force No degree Of liberalization which
leaves any measure of divided control will
alter this. This club principle in origin and
governance Of militia organizations has in
cyitaby led 20 the membership OF the guard
including fatally large proportion Of light
Wei ht youth who are interested in playing
soldier without the physical or moral capac-
ity to stand its requirements when put to
the test as the miserable doings of some OF
them under San Juan Hill amply testified in
comparison with the more recently and diff
ferently raised Rough Riders.
Not until the state militia is organized
under the right auspices will it ever amount.
alone, TO a force sufficiently dependable 10
dispense with other volunteer reserve troops.
and the very fact that it is actively fighting
the creation of any other force indicates
that il places organization interests first
and has the entirely wrong fundamental out
look upon the duty and action of real SOL
diers The efforts OF its lobby, If success
ful, will reduce the whole matter Of national
defence in land forces TO Organization con-
troll which finds its parallel only in the grip
which union labor now has in the sphere OF
industry. No graver danger ever confronted
the country. 1t is true the National Guard
Association has gone on record for complete
liberalization of the militia, but it is 70 be
observed that it conditions this on a monop-
oily OF function. Why? It's sole answer is
its condemnation. II fears the organization
it represents will not stand comparison with
a seriously organized force of national mill
tia and will perish if this comes into being,
carrying with it elective governance privi-
leges and rank with the pay of such rank
which are not assured to the individuals
concerned under the unhampered appointive
authority Of the national government.
In the splendid speech last night of Score
tary Garrison TO the Bankers Association
much may be read between the lines, ind-
eating that this spectre of the spirit of
hnionsm in national defence is very real
peril and that the whole prospect Of any
legislation this session may resolve itself
into an extension of the pork barrel" in
terms Of militia appropriation only, for the
satisfaction of unthinkng constituencies led
20 camor for it, and letting it all go at
that. From the support which Chairman
Hay is giving this tendency the country will
know whom TO thank for IT, If this is what
il comes TO it will be the most scandalous
and outrageous betrayal of the nations in
terests in our legislative history. Public
sentiment should come TO the support of the
principles of Secretary Garrison's scheme a.
once, with respect to permanent volunteer
soldiery, demanding as well that. while these
be enacted, the regular army itself should
be at once increased 10 much more adequate
numbers. The people of this country don't
want "a lath painted TO look like iron"
EX-GUARDSMAN.
New York, Jan. Is, 1915