Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-28
AUTHORITY FOR
creation Of A
new BATTALION
National Guard Infantry
Numbering. 400 May Be
Organized in Idaho Says
Secretary Of War.
Boise to Have One of Four
= Companies Three Others
to Go to Those Cities First
Presenting Muster Rolls
Each Must Have 100 Men.

There is destined to be a pretty race
among cities and towns in Idaho to Sc
cure companies in the National Guard
battalion, authority to organize which
was given today to Governor Alexand-
er and Adjutant General Moody by J.
McCarter, brigadier general, national
army, chief militia bureau. Governor
Alexander has designated that the
states capitol. Boise, shall have one
company. The other three are to be
given to the three cities in the state
first presenting proper muster rolls Of
100 me nor more.
Il have adopted this policy toward
locating the companies of militia in
order that no charge of unfairness may
be made as to selecting their Local
tions," said Governor Alexander "Of
course it should be remembered that
we cannot place companies in cities
that are in close proximity to one an
other-they must be so geographically
located as to best serve the interests of
the states. Those cities first present
ing their muster rolls will be given
preference"
ORDER OF AUTHORIZATION.
The following is the order from the
SiiSl VI duluOTlZlHB lne CTea-
ton Of the guard battalion. showing it
is not the present policy of the war de-
partment to draft into the federal SER
vice National Guard units created
since the draft of Aug. 5, 1917:
My dear Governor: In accordance
with request contained in your letter
of Dec. 10. 1917, addressed to the
chief. militia bureau, the secretary o.
war authorizes the organization Of one
battalion of infantry, National Guard
of Idaho. This organization must
conform In every way to the peace
time conditions of the National Guard
with the exception that a minimum
strength of 100 men per company Will
be required. The duties to be per-
formed by the state authorities Incl
dent to the organization of the unit
and its federal recognition, will coreL
sist of the following: selecting locali-
ties for various units; designating
home rendezvous; enlsting the men;
appointing the officers; securing ar,
mories and storage facilities. and
finally, when this is completed, apply
ing to the militia bureau for inspec-
tion for federal recognition.
The state authorities should make
requsition for arms, equipment AMI
clothing. As these supplies become
available they will be furnished as
promptly as possible. The extraordin-
airy demands upon the government at
this time must necessarily give rise TO
unavoidable delays.
The present policy of the war de-
partment is not to draft into federal
service National Guard units created
since the craft of August 5. 1917. The
individual members of selective draft
age are subject to draft
Very truly yours.
J. Mel. CARTER.
Brigadier General, National Army
Chief Militia Bureau.
American Falls, Standpoint, Lewis
ton, Idaho Falls, Blaclifoot, Pocatello,
st. Maries, Twin Falls, Moscow,
Grangeville and Sites are among the
cities and towns that have asked con-
sideration from the adjutant general
when the new guard is organized.
Some Of the conditions surround
ing the organization of these COM
panies are as follows" said Adjutant
General Moody. They must have on
their muster rolls 100 men or over OF
men between the ages of Is and 40.
They must supply officers who have
had military training. They must be
prepared to uphold the dignity of Ida :
no in any eventuality that may arise. -
Adjutant General Moody will visit
parts of the state to take UP the mat
ter of organization with the respec-
| tive communities interested.