The true northerner., 1917-07-20
WHAT ABOUT THE HOME GUARDS?

What is to be the future of the Home Guards In
to the Governors CALL companies of Home Guards organized
all the state, the Troops The
object of the Troops given the Governors CALL pro-
vide ample military strength the state to take of strikes
local disturbances that might demand the of troops
after the National Guard had been called the front These
companies have drilled faithfully and at this time the has
large ce of Home Guard companies ready for service far
drilling is concerned But what about uniforms and equip
ment? An appropriation of S5OOOO0O made by last
legislature for 1t generally understood that
out OF this fund uniforms and equipment would be provided for
the State Troops but steps have been taken for such
equipment This negligence axty whatever be called
has caused much dissatisfaction all the Interest
in the Home Guard organization has decreased and unless the
officials make soon, last definite
the policy be observed the companies will
dsenegae and the organization and subsequent work will
all be for naught.
In Paw Paw instance Company enlisted force
of about sixty The made when the COM
organized that uniforms and equipment would be fur
nshed by the state This incentive enlistment and
faithful drilling Wooden guns purchased by the boys for
drill in the manual of and considerable degree ocency
has been reached Enthusiasm and interest in the company
however is gradually beginning until not than
members Of the company report any time for
drill The boys begin to feel that the state takes interest
in the organization and enlistment the company really
nothing There ample foundation for this feeling among
the members of the company From dispatches about the
the experiences of the officers the local troop
other companies have had
1t is about time then for the do thing the
other Either uniform and the state troops ready for
service at the earliest possible date let the troops know that
not to be furnished then the might well dsband
The novelty of the thing has off, and such organization
anything the state intended for service then
uniforms and equipment should be provided Paw Paw would
have of not less than seventyve such
ment provided Every the company would be ready
and willing to do his duty if the required his If
such equipment provided extremely doubtful
kind of an efficient organization be maintained for length
of time and the undoubtedly every company the
state.
1t has been suggested in of the dispatches that
each furnish its equipment and information ea
tive to the official uniform has been sent out by the state officials
But this is hardly fair In these strenuous times, when every
is asked contribute to the Red Cross the Troop fund and
other funds hardly fair to expect the boys who
willing to enlist in the state troop purchase their uniforms
and equipment No. if the services of the state worth
anything they be of service the state and subject
to the call of the at time emergency then
the duty of the state properly equip company
state troops If the organization of such companies
nothing and their services be of value the
then they should be dsbandd Providing uniforms and equip
men after arises like docking the barn after
the horse is stolen Speak state officials authority
which shall beAn efficient military organization in the state
ready for military organization ALL and
the state without protection of kind when the National Guard
leaves the state