The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-02
GUARDSMEN FAVOR
FEDERAL CONTROL
Colonies Of New York Regi-
ments See Greater e.
ficiency by 1t.
WOULD UNITE 40 UNITS


Federal authority over the National
Guard was expressed yesterday by off,
GERS in command Of regiments in tho
First and Second Brigades Of New York
city. The belief seems almost universal
that by means OF greater or absolute
Federal control the National Guard of
all the States. now commanded by forty
eight Governors. might be welded into
an efficient fighting unit for defence OF
the country.
II was pointed out by several OF the
officers hat under direction OF the War
Department Standardization in training
could be easily effected. and the militia
of certain States. chiefly In h South
and West, now below par In strength and
efficiency could be greatly improved. Of
hcers pointed out hat while President
Wilson said in his speech before the
railway business men on Thursday In
New York that he thought II the duty
OF Congress to do more for the National
Guard "A II has done heretofore. no
criticised the disunited condition Of the
state militlas and added tina what the
United States needs is "a body OF men
organized under the immediate direction
OF the national authorities"
Col. william ~. Bates Of the Seventy
first Regiment said yesterday:
~ believe that the National Guard Of
all the states would be very much BEN
Gifted by "A larger measure of Federal
control than II has received up to this
time. Whether I favor absolute Federal
control | am not prepared at this time
to state. Federal control of some sort.
however, would make not only for tho
unifcation q the separate miltias. but
would also mean greatly Increased efh-
cheney.
Points 10 Weak Feature.
81 advocated before the National
Guard Association of New York In Jan
uary. 1915. AN amendment To the Con-
stitution giving the President power TO
Use the National Guard for service out
side the United states. The great OBJ
lection of the War Department to tho
National Guard II that II Is not "A de-
| ~pendable force. inasinuch AZ IL cannot
be used outside tho United States With
out tn. permission Of the guardsincn.'
Col. |. l.. conley of the SIXTY ninth
Regiment also said he favored an
amendment giving the President power
to use the militia outside the United
States.
my personal opinion is that the
militia would be greatly benefited by Il
change from State control TO national
CONTROL" he said. This IL the view OF
every one who has the welfare Of the
| country at heart. II would be "A big
task to raise a Continental army such
as has been suggested out OF the ground,
SO to speak. \ big citizen army could
be formed. however. by nrst putting the
National Guard under the war depart
nient aud then transforming and onlirg.
Ing II.
The National Guard IL a nucleus GU,
OF which the citizen army could be made
] think. too. that the men should re-
ceive reasonable, compensation. They
have TO u ~carfire and many other
expenses. Tie pay they receive need
not be substantial. but | do think tina
the men who volunteer should not be
compelled TO pay money from their Own
pockets.
Il think a very high military dscl-
pline would result from the contraliza-
ton of the National Guard. one leader
would mean standardization. coopcra.
ton and adhesion"
Col Daniel Appleton OF the Seventh
Regiment said
I'VE have always been under Federal
control. This Is a military organization
II for that reason / do not care tc
discuss the question. We are ready
TO volunteer our services 10 the Pres.'
dent at II time"
Benen to Other states,
Gen. John u. Eddy. In command OF
the Brooklyn forces. said yesterday tina
he thought LIBERALIZATION would do n
great deal OF good to the National
Guard, especially in other States.
Under present conditions We have
forts eight military units with forty.
eight commanders and almost as many
sets Of laws to govern the militia. Tn,
der Federal control the President woulG
be the commander and the forces woulr
be Ia well trained and properly cquippet
unit"
\ vast Increase in the efficiency Of M
National Guard throughout the cuvn,
try would result from a change to fcd,
eral control In the opinion of Col. j
II. F'oote OF the Furteenth Regiment.
The change would have very llttl'
effect on the organization In New Yo-t
State. for here the standard Is h!ghes
OF all he said.
Col Ernest T.. ~Jannicky OF the Forty
seventh Regiment said:
an my opinion the change woult
greatly improve the National Guard II
the South and West. New York IL abou
the only Stat. that gives its guardsmer
sufficient money. Many Of the othel
states depend on the money voted b!
Congress