The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-01-31
GOOD PROGRESS
BEING MADE IN
REVlVING GUARD
Number of Towns Already Have
Organization of Companies e
Under Way

Excellent progress is being made
with the reorganization of the First
North Dakota national guard, the ad-
jutant generals office reports. Re
Organization Of Co. A, Bismarck; Co.
|C, Grafton; Co. D, Minot; Co. H,
jamestown; Co. I, Wahpeton; Co. L.
Hillsboro, and the band and the mo-
torized field hospital corps at Lisbon,
is already we'll under way. In all Of
these towns the commercial clubs are
with veterans of the
old military units in complying with
the requirements fixed by the state
and national guard acts.
! Other towns which had units in the
iold Fighting First have been delayed
owing to the absence of officers of
the former companies, all of whom
saw long terms of service in France,
but an abundance of interest and en-
thusiasm has been displayed. The plan
for the reorganization of the national
guard suggests that Mandan, Dickin-
son, Valley City and other towns
which have no armories undertake the
erection of a permanent home for
their national guard organizations as
memorial to their heroes of the
worlds war, instead Of investing large
sums Of money in monuments or sim
lilar memorials which have no Giving.
value. It is urged that armories could
}be provided with suitable inches for
memorial tablets which would furnish
! = constant inspiration to the soldiers
who will succeed the present genera
ton and that they could with a trif-
ling additional expenditure be equipl'-
| ed for club and gymnasium purposes.
It is proposed that auxiliary civic
associations be organized in these
towns to assist the guard units in
financing their armory projects. The
state loans $4,000 for. the construc-
ltion Of armories and also allows $500
per annum for armory rent. In a
majority of the towns the armories
are used for general community pur-
poses, which produces steady reve-
nue..
Higher Pay
The national guardsman of today
will be better paid than his predeces-
sor of ante -bellum days. The new
pay schedule is rs per cent Of the
amount received by the same grade
in the regular army. This applies,
however, only to companies with a
minimum enrolment of 100 members,
and with an average 60 per cent at
tendance at drill. The company must
also pass an inspection to obtain fed
eral recognition. The minimum
strength which the First must make
to gain federal recognition is l,445
tmen and II officers.
Other Inducements.
There are other inducements which
will attract young men who like army
life North Dakota, with South Da-
kota, Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho, Mon
tana and Washington, composes the
66th national guard division. There
viii be annual division maneuvers,
probably at Camp Lewis, Wash, one
! of the most attractive army posts IN
the country. Men will receive full
pay while attending maneuvers and
while en- route to and from camp.
May Go to West Point.
Boys who enter the national guard
at the age of 18 or 10 may also quail
/ ify for admission to West Point by
passing an examination whose tests
the average boy with a high school
education or it's equivalent should be
able to meet after year or more in
the guard.