Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-23
Doing Something for Dcfcusc

Doing Something for Dcfcusc
y tn" tentative drafts OF the army programs
1 Of the House and Senate Committee on
Military Affairs. made public yesterday. there
is sound reason for cncouragement--for be-
ieving tho committees have heard the voice
of the people and determined to Justify
the confidence of the President.
The regiments and other army units
proposed by Secretary Garrison for the regu-
lar establishment appear certain to be pro
ridcd. II the plan Of the Senate committee
prevails the army will consist of approx
matcly 100000 men instead of approximately
10000. This would be notable enlarge
ment of the Garrison demands. AT the same
time, there are TO be generous increases in
the officers corps the number Of cadets at
West Point is to be doubled. and great stores
OF munitions are TO be supplied
The cruX Of the congressional plan is the
eraliZation of the National Guard II press
dispatches correctly describe this feature. fed
eraiiZation Is to be complete The ConStitu-
ton will preserve TO the States the appoint
ment of officers. but these appointments will
be safeguarded by examinations and in
spections and the whole force will be so COM
pletely under the supervision OF the national
government that no real difficulties are to be
apprehcnded If the proposals outlined are
carried into effect. the officers and men of
sonahly we'll trained, amenable to strict
discipline. compensated in part for their ser
vices and their sacrifices and capable of
making valuable contribution to their coun-
trys defense
II would seem however, that under the
circumstances the National Guard no longer
should be expected or required TO take the
place OF a State police force. Ii the men give
TO their military duties the time and attention
necessarily required more time and
attention than are now reQured--it would be
a hardship to expect them to suppress riots
and restore and maintain order in such dis
tracted communities as was Hopewen after
the fire.
There is another reason which suggests the
divorce OF the National Guard from strictly
police duty. This is the unpopularty of the
guard with large and influential elements OF
organized labor. which see in il "A means of
making strikes and other labor movements
Intellectual. Members OF organized abor do
not desire 10 bear arms against their fellows.
engaged in what they consider laudable and
proper efforts TO improve their condition.
whether his feeling is justiiablc or not is
hcyond the question; il exists, and so long as
II does exist Will initiate against the efficiency
~ the National Guard and deprive il of the
services OF many thousands OF desira BILE re-
crui'S.
The solution of this problem is the estab
!istment OF state constabulary. such as
now exists III Pennsylvania and elsewhere
he militia pay provisions OF the bills that
are 10 be introduced in Congress should take
ron the States a large part OF the burden of
National Guard maintenance and make a con
S'abulary economically feasible, as it is
already intrnscaly desirable
one thing else the discussions in thc co,,.
inittees or Congress. 80 far as they have been
permitted to become public. do not appcar 70
nay" considered, That l. the praci zeal no