Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-07
THE NATIONAL GUARD LOBBY,

II congress should pass the Cham
berlsin army biz, II would do more
toward providing a real land defense
for the country than any other meas
ure ever proposed in congress. A
hard fight has been made to defeat
the volunteer provision. the OPPOSE
ton coming from the national guard
lobby Fortunately Il has failed for
the time being.
The able constitutional lawyers in
both houses Of congress have pointed
out the constitutional weakness ~
the provision of the bill for federali-
zation of the national guard. The
powers OF congress are defined in
section VII, article I, clause 10. as
fellows
The congress shall have power TO
provide for organizing, nfmlng and
dlscipllning the militia. and governing
such part Of them us may be employ
81 IN the service Of the United states,
frHervnR 90 the states, respectively,
the appointment Of the officers. and
the authority Of training the militia
according TO the discipline prescribed
by congress"
There IL no mistaking the language
The militia may be employed by the
federal government, but It must be
differed ana trained by the states.
That Is lust what the country doesn't
want 10 be efficient. the reserve
must be under federal control Ne
state OF The union ever has done any
thing as efficiently as the same thing
would be done by the federal govern.
mcnt.
II will be recalled IN the SPANISH
American war that the Seventh regl-
ment OF New York said.
We are ready ana willing TO fight,
bat we VIII not do 50 unless we can
take the field under our own off
GERS.
The record made by the Seventh
New York was not one Of which tho
reeiment had cause 20 DO proud,
Il Is eontended by tie men who
would eliminate the volunteer provl.
zion that the federal government can
control the militia through npproprl-
ating or Withholding money for liz
support II The national guard lobby
is powerful enough to force its viii
upon congress now. when it's num-
beers are small. what will it not he
able TO do when 1t has 500 voters in
each congressional district
The army never has figured In The
politics OF the nation, but II Il should
be shown now that the state militia
can, through Its lobby Of officers. de-
feat sane provision for federal
volunteer reserve wee may we'll inag-
inc what Il would do in politics when
IL became a paid power IN national
affairs
The volunteer provision In no wise
conflicts with the state militia. except
in the fact that Il leaves to the federal
government another force for defense
IL the militia should prove inefficient
or not sufficiently numerous to meet
an emergency.
In the whole history OF the nation
there never before has been so bragen
an effou TO sacrifice the interests OF
the country IN order that special
interest might be promoted
The national guard has distinct
and important place in the scheme
Of national defense. 1t should be in
creased and fully equipped Ia every
slate " the union. Its Officers ANA
men should be paid for their time.
and they should ho under drin OF the
regular army officers until they know
what to DO when their services are
required. But II should not be per-
mitled TO dictate to the federal gov
eminent what other measures OF ma
uonal defense shan be provided
Such diciation Is exactly what It isI
attempting at this time.
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