Deming graphic., 1919-12-30
TO REORANIZE NATIONAL
GUARD OF NEW MEXICO

The following letter from the AdJu-
tant General OF New Mexico explains
itself:
Santa Fe, n. NJ, Dec. %, 1919.
Major Clyde Earl Ely,
n. NJ.
Dear sir:
In view of the unsettled conditions
which exist IN the county at present
which may at any time necessitnte the
calling together OF State troops for he
OF law and order within
our borders. Il Is absolutely necessary
that New Mexico be prepared TO meet
such emergency with troops Of her
own. At the present time we have
none. The Governor has therefore di-
rected that steps be Immediately taken |
to reorganize the National Guard In
this State.
The plan Is to make the re-organiza- |
tion very thorough one, from top TO
bottom, so that New Mexico will have
a one hundred per cent efficient or
ganizatiOn. With this end In view /
am addressing this communication TO
various eX-service men in the State,
trusting to their earnest cooperation
and assistance In this highly necessary
and most important work. win you
therefore get in touch with the ex-
service men Of your locality by imme
diately calling a meeting thereof and
putting the proposition squarely up to-
| thomy
| am thoroughly aware of the fact
that the average cX-service man Is not
particularly anxious TO reenllst at this
time. but | also know that at the out
break Of any trouble he would be the
first to enlist. You, and each of you,
know personally what the lesson OF un-
preparedness cost, and that we can
never permit repititiOn Of what hap
pened at the outbreak Of the Great
War
The law authorizing reorganization
Of the National Guard provides that
persons who have been honorably dis
charged from the service of the United
States may. within six 90 months sub.
sequent tO such discharge, enlist In the
National Guard for period of one
~ year and may re-enlist for like
periods. For persons without previous
service the enlistment period covers
three CD years in an active organiza-
tion and three (3) years In the Ma
tional Guard Reserve.
Each enlisted man on the active list
belonging to an organization of the
National Guard shall receive compen-
sation for his services at the rate equal
10 % percentum Of the initial pay now
provided by law for enlisted men Of
corresponding grades In the regular
army. provided. that such enlisted man
, shall receive the compensation herein
, provided IL he shall have attended not
, less than iS regular drills during any
: one year. and proportionate amount
|, for attendance at a lesser number of
, such drills not lower than "a. For eX-
ample. private attending 4S drills In
one year shall receive 25 per cent of
the initial pay for like grade in the
? regular army. which would he $3.50 per
month This rate Of pay increases cor.
|, rcspondingly with the higher grades-
corporatl. sergeant first sergeant etc
: Pay Of National Guard officers, not
= including longevity pay. shall be, fol
! Second Lieutenant, 5000 per year; fol
! First Lieutenant. S2.40 per year; and
for CAPTAIN and officers of higher
q grade than Captain. $500 per year
1 During periods Of service such p'
A encampments, field manueverS, and ac
o tive duty calls, officers and enlisted
men shall receive compensation fol
Y their services at the same rate as cor
r responding grades in the regular army
A The above rate Of pay is based upoI
+ attendance at 4s drills per year, or lea
than drill each week. which Is yer!
fair.
The Governor also wishes announced
- that pending the final and complet
I, reorganization of the National Guard
!, IN the event that the service of troop
II .equired to meet anv sudden emer
!, gency as Mounted Police, their ex
!. penses and pay for the period Of tn
trouble 10 he met, and their equipmen
a to be furnished. ny the State.
n The Governor states that he viii
II recommend to the legislature at tn
!. forthcoming Special Session, that IN
O pay fo.' this class ~ work shall he 81
q per month. IL being understood that tn
p men 50 selected and commissioned shal
Y be selected from among those who hav
10 enlisted in the National Guard orgnni
e zation and that they will he called 4
Is case Of special emergency pending fina
l- completion of the National Guard OF
n ganization In which they have enlisted
II earnestly request that you imme
10 diately take this matter up with tn
: men and determine the actual numbc
h. we can count upon, and communicat
q results to this office by vie at m
NJ expense.
n Yours very truly.
n JAMES BACA.