The Washington times., 1916-04-09
Suggests Uniforms
ToEnd Militia Lobby
Chairman of Executive Committee of National Guard AS
sociaton Answers Chamb erlain and Urges Distinc-
tive Garb for Members of Establishments.

III Congress be desirous OF identify
ing the military influences to which II
u willingly and unwillingly subjected.
we suggest the simple expedient OF a
statute requiring all who receive pay or
emoluments In the military establish
mont OF the Government to wear a
uniform while In Washington. II this
were done, It may safely be predicted
that the much dreaded national guard
lobby would be lost sight OF In the
crowd"
/ This statement is contained In a letter
from Adjutant General J. clifford r.
Foster, Of Florida, chairman OF the ex-
ecutive committee OF the National
Guard Association Of the United states.
to Senator Blair Lee Of Maryland.
In II he denies the charge OF Senator
Chamberlain that the national guard Of
ficers are maintaining q lobby in wash
ington TO look out for their interests.
The letter has been introduced in the
Senate to be printed in the Record.
Wants to Explain Facts.
General Foster wrote the letter to ex-
plain the exact facts with regard to
the activity OF the national guard offi-
GERS at the Capitol at the present ses-
sion.
General Foster makes the "humiliat-
ing confession" that, among the "furth-
er defects Of the national guard system
Indicating a lack of efficiency In methods
Of influencing legislation which are rec
ognized and practiced by experts. and
Is unwiIingly wrung from US" are
found the absence OF headquarters or
a publicity agent: the failure OF the
guardsmen to. circularize members OF
Congress and the utter absence OF print
ed matter or propaganda relating to
national guard subJectb.
General Foster says all other organi-
zations engaged In bringing matters to
the atteation Of the national legislative
bodies have these things. The various
leagues for the pressing of preparedness
propaganda have them, he declares.
Thinks Statement Proper.
THE charge that the National Guard
is represented In Washington by lobby,
and that It Is seeking by improper
means to influence the action OF Con-
gress with regard TO pending military
legislation would not call for comment
II II had emanated from n less i'm
portant source" states General Foster in
his letter. 'As that charge has been
made. 1t seems proper and necessary
that this committee make a statement
WITH regard to that matter.
During the interim between Its con.
ventions the affairs OF the National
Guard Association are conducted by an
executive committee. and II may be
stated In passing that suardsmen do not
seek positions upon this committee
they are selected for that duty. and, II
they serve. they do so at some personal
expense and sacrifice.
The members of this executive com.
mlttee appeared before the Military Com
mittee of Congress at the hearings
which were held prior to the formula.
tion OF the bills which have since beer
introduced In the House and Senate
some OF the members OF this committed
have been here since. during the pro.
gress Of the pending military leglsla.
| ton.
''If excuse for their presence within
the precincts OF this sacred city is re.