The Washington herald., 1918-03-24

The War Department and the citi-
Zens of the District Of Columbia, as
evidenced by the recent communica-
tions filed with the Military Commit
tee of both the Senate and House Of
Representatives consider 1t highly i'm
portant that the National Guard Of
the District be promptly reorganized,
as has been the case already in four
teen OF the States where National
Guard troops are in the course Of re-
organization.
The District of Columbia is now
seeking authority to do likewise, and
to raise a guard equal in efficiency
to any in the country, and can readily
do so II pending legislation which has
the approval of the President and the
Secretary Of War be enacted.
OfaeiaI Recognition. ~
That the National Guard is the only
organization. of troops for the Dis
trict of Columbia to receive official
recognition by the War Department,
is proven by the appointment of Brig.
Gen. r. d. Sinms to act as its COM
msnding officer. One has but to glance
at his record OF over twenty years
active service in National Guard ac-
tivities and q veteran of the Span
ish war, raised from the rank OF
private to his present office. to feel
sure OF the ultimate success from the
departments wise selection.
The intent Of the bill to permit spe-
cial enlistment in the District of CO.
lumbia National Guard for the period
of the war is to grant authority in
the simplest form. by which the
strength of our National Guard may
be augmented and maintained
through such period by admitting to
same men in addition to the limited
number being obtained and enlisted
under the present laws governing the
National Guard of the District of Co.
lumbia.
Special Class.
The special class thus desired to
be enlisted are able-bodied busi-
ness and professional men. men of
all civil vocations. and men from
large business houses and various
government departments, who un-
der present laws on account of age
or of important business ties or
family dependents or for other le-
gitimate reasons are not liable to
or eligible for foreign service, but
who are capable and desirous of
doing any local military service for
which they may be needed.
Thus is to be afforded a chance
for every able-bodied patriotic man
with red blood to get out OF any
Stacker class and stand ready not
only to fight for democracy but
protect his home end the nations
capital in time of special emergen-
cy. Then, too. 1t gives to all that
one grand chance to do his bit and
allow his family to say he was
ready and a part of the military
unit. Already members of various
associations, clubs. etc, organized
for military instruction have sig
nified their willingness to join up
on the enactment of the pending
bills before Congress.
Weekly Drills.
Much care and forethought is be-
ing expended by Brig. Gen. SImms
in arranging for weekly drills for in
fantry service. instruction in guard
duty, rifle practice within the armory
until the weather permits the use
of the District of Columbia range
at Congress Heights, special phys
ical exercises under qualified in
structors, and during the summer
short tours of duty will be perform
ed at the Congress Heights range,
where each organization will eneamp
for perhaps three days at a time that
they may engage in brief field ma
neuvers. as well as firing required
scores on the range; also short prac-
tice marches at certain periods are
to be ordered. All OF such duty,
however, will be so arranged as not
to materially interfere in. any way
with the civil employment of mem
bers of the Guard.
Men who enter the Guard will
also have opportunity of securing in