The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-02-18

AERO MILITIA BILL.
Army and Navy Journal

The executive committee of the
National Guard Association of the
United States at the request of
Chairman Chamberlain and Chairman
Hay, of the military committees, has
submitted new militia bill. It con-
tains ninety-three sections, and it is
virtually a codification of the militia
laws, and contains most Of the essen
tlal features Of the bills pending be-
fore congress In addition to some
entirely new features. It abolishes
both the division of militia affairs
and the militia board, placing the mi
htia under the control of a national
guard section of the army general
staff, to consist of five national
guard officers who have had not less
than fifteen years service in the
guard. They are to be appointed by
the president and confirmed by the
senate to serve for five years, and
while on duty with the general staff
are to draw the same pay and allow
ances as regular army officers. They
are not to be eligible for reappoint-
ment to the national guard section un-
til they have served two years with
the troops. The militia section of
the general staff is to confer with
the secretary of war and make rec
concentrations to him concerning ma
tional guard regulations and the gem
eral policy of that force.
The proposed bill creates what is
known as the junior national guard.
This is for boys between the ages of
twelve and eighteen. 1t is divided
into two classes, to be known as the
first class, to consist of students in
high schools and colleges; and the
second class, all others, in the Junior
Tor national guard
Upon enlisting the bill proposes
that members of the national guard
sign a contract to serve the federal
government. In the event of war or
the frnminence of war this contract
requires the members Of the national
guard to serve the government with
in or without the United States" The
national guard is called into the fed
eral service by the order Of the pres
dent and must serve two years from
the date of the order. Officers who
are commissioned in the national
guard are required to qualify physi-
cally, mentally and morally, and to
demonstrate their military fitness IN
der regulations prescribed by the mi
litia section Of the general staff as
approved by the secretary Of war.
These examinations are to be conduct
al l..
of the national guard. Upon the APP
plication of the governors of the
states the secretary of war is author
lied TO detail officers of the regular
army from the active list to serve as
inspectors of the national guard. In
spectors may hold commissions in the
national guard without vacating their
commissions in the regular army. In
spectors of the national guard are
deemed to be served with troops and
therefore will not be ''Manchued."
The rate of pay for officers of the
national guard is fixed as follows:
Major generals, $500; brigadier gem
erals, $700; colonels $500; lieutenant
colonies, $3.50; majors, S525; captains, |
$500; first heutenants, $500; second |
lieutenants, $3.50; and veterinarians,
$3.50. The pay of enlisted me is fixed
at twenty-five per cent of the regular |
army pay. To draw this pay an en-
listed man must participate in forty
eight drills of one hour and half. |
The national guard is to receive its |
compensation through the pay Off |
GERS of the regular army.