Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-03-30

It is expected sum much larger
than 100000 will be needed eventual
ly for this work and it is the Deilef
of Gov. Philip that the state should
adequately provide for all persons
whom members of the guard are sup
porting when they enter the ranks.
The governor says there is no reason
that these people should be SUBJECT
to charity as the men who are Delng
called are giving their service TO the
state and the nation, and it is there
fore but right that they should receive
some return for the service.
The appropriation bill OF the ma
tional guard, drawn to meet the re-
ouirements of the national law on the
subject, gives 100000 for the Wis
consin National guard for the next Dl-
ennial period. Under present condl-
tons this amount will not be SUM-
cient to meet the requirements which
Wisconsin will need in placing its
soldiers in the field.
War Footing Proposed.
The appropriation of 100000 was
decided upon with view to placing
the Wisconsin National guard on the
proposed new peace footing basis OF
10000 men. It is now proposed to en-
list the guard on a war footing basis
of 16.5OO men at once and with this
idea in view, it is believed that the
initial appropriation for national
guard purposes, should be at least
S6UO,O0O and possibly more.
The bill for the appropriation OF
$4,000 is before the assembly COM
mittee on state affairs, where 1T has
been for some time awaiting discus
sion of the measure.
It may be, however, that except on
appropriations for immediate use,
there may be no action on military
appropriation measures until after
congress convenes, as it is felt that
the real program for the raising OF
troops in Wisconsin to meet the pres
ent war emergency, cannot be planned
until it is known just what congress
desires of the state, in the way or fur-
nlshing troops for national service.
The bill for the appropriation for
the support of guardsmen families
will, however, probably come in before
the end of the week, as it is felt that
this fund should be on hand before
the troops actually begin mobilization,
as there will be some families OF
Third Regiment guardsmen to whom
the aid should be extended at once.
Already Under Orders.
The members of the companies OF
the Third regiment are, in fact, al
ready under orders and away from
their usual employment, it being the
demand of the federal government un-
der the mobilization call that they
shall be on duty at their aTmories and
ready for instant action.
Some of the legislative leaders be-
lieve that perhaps it would be wise to
make an immediate appropriation OF
81, 900, 900, for emergency army pur-
poses. They say the money could be
returned to the state if not used, and
that this fund on hand would place
the state in position to meet any
emergency which might arise during
the next few weeks in the war situa
ton.
In case of q declaration of war every
cent in the general fund, not other
wise appropriated, becomes available
for use of the governor and the adj
jutant general. This is doubtless suf6-
Gent to meet any possible emergency
in the equipment Of Wisconsin sol.
diers.
There is another bill which calls for
$1,000 to defray armory expenses and
provide additional armories. Senator
Wilcox has aIbill which seeks to meet
this difficulty, as regards armories. It
is likely that Wilcox will make an eff
fort to pass his measure Immediately,
in view of the present situation.
Senator Wilcox has been making
an investigation of re armory situa-
ton in the state and finds somewhat
of a startling situation. His bill seeks
to remedy this and the sentiment of
the legislature is favorable to laws
which will give local companies places
for drills and homes for the organiza-
tons.