Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-06
GUARD
MAY NOT JOIN
STATE MILITIA
Action ST Legislature Plac-
ing Governor at Head of
Militia Not Popular.

Bismarck, N. d.. May 6.-The Bis
marck home guard in an informal
ballot taken Friday evening. voted 80
to is against enrolling under a state
to be organized pursuant to
Frazier's recent proclama-
ton. The vote was not final but was
taken as a mean Of ascertaining III
to the naming of a committee to wait
on Governor Frazier and Adjutant
General Fraser to procure, il possible,
more definite information as to what
they plan to do with the more than
500 home guard units now organized
in the state.
In the closing hours Of the recent
special session, as a means OF procur-
ing favorable vote on the council OF
defense bill which gave the governor
the chairmanship Of the executive
board and the privilege of selecting
its members, the chief executive prom
Used q committee representing the IN
dependent majority in the senate that
he would Immediately issue a p%rocla-
nation legalizing the home guard and
satisfactorily safeguarding its future.
On the strength of this promise the
senate, gave the governor the council
Of defense.
A few weeks following the adjourn
ment of the special session the gov
ernor issued a proclamation directing
that the home guard be organized a.
state troops, under the militia laws
Of North Dakota, and he delegated to
| Adjutant General Fraser the task of
working out rules and regulations by
which this transfer could be effected
The Bismarck home guard immedi-
ately named a legal committee. con-
sisting of the best talent In the Capital
city, to examine the militia laws OF
North Dakota and ascertain how they
would affect the home guard. This
committees report was u~nfavorable
holding that under the statutes. II or
ganized as q militia, any home guarf
unit would be liable for service al tn
call Of the governor anywhere tn
governor might direct, within thu
state, and for as long a period as tn
governor might deem. necessary.
The Bismarck home guard. n o
the first in the state to be perfected
and standardized, and whose member
ship of 10S comprises many of tn
most substantial business and profes
sional men of the Capital city, wa
primarily organized for local protec
ton and for patriotic work, in whic'
the guard has been most active an
proficient. 1t was the general under
| SIdllulIU6 al lC III VA
that the guard. would be subject t
service upon an emergency anywher
in Burleigh county. on the call Of tn
sheriff, and this prospect was agree
able to all members. The bushes
and professional men. state officials
farmers and others who make up tn
membership do not feel, however. tina
they should be placed in a positio
. where they may be called away .fo
weeks al a time to look after som
community a hundred miles or mos
distant, and this, they understand
would be the situation if the guards
men were. enrolled as militia.
Because the Bismarck guard he
become generally recognized anon
units elsewhere in the state as.
leader, it is not intended that pre-
cipitate action be taken, and turtle
careful consideration will be. given tt
matter after the committee makes i
report next Friday evening. "a