Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-03-07

total enlisted strength Q. 2.io0 men,
must be completed by Ju.e 80, accord.
by AdJutant-Generai 10 Lane stern
from the War Department This order
Elves virginia slightly lese than four
General Stern Is working cnerget-
icaiiy on the reorganization, and eight
,nian,!y companies and one machine
men. have already received Federal
recoSnition. Three OF these companies
nave been organized in Richmond. ant
AT least that many more are now re-
sruiting. and arc Amos! ready for In
spection by State and Federal officers
preparatory to muster In.
Wide Distribution Desired.
In reorSaniztng the National Guard
II Is the policy OF tho Governor and
.fdjutant- Generals Office TO 80 locate
Tor Immediate service II all sections
OF the State. thus regulating it's pro-
lection and security in such m tanner as
to place any and all disOrdcrly and
unlawful elements on notice OF tho
power of the Commonwealth TO enforce
instant obedience 20 i;s laws VITA
has written the Mayors OF al cities
and towns in The state. except Rich
mond. where the matter .s handled per-
sonally, calling attention 10 the vital
necessity OF organizing and maintain
ing National Guard units In certain
sections OF the state, and requesting
them TO call an immediate conference
Of the leading business and eX-rnilitary
men for the purpose OF taking instant
action in this matter. Which liz SO Wit
ally important IN the state. themselves
and their fellow -citizcns residing in
their section. involving. as y does. in
times OF emergency. life. liberty, home.
business and protection OF family.
the eiss sr,d prior TO- the on,hrsak %" OF
men in Its National Guard units. The
state had three regiments of infantry.
six batteries OF neld artillery. twelve
companies OF coast artillery. one field
hospital. one ambulance company and
one signal company. But the drafting
OF these units into Federal service dur
personnel RI civilians later left the
state with no troops cxcelt the cmcr-
Eency volunteers. organized for home
service during shc war.
.Armory Facilities Good.
Facilities for taking care OF its new
National Guard troops are to he found
all over the state. In Richmond alone
there are three large wel.-equipped
Of an ao
Roanoke, Lynchourr and several ether
cities have buildings especially bull:
for the citizen soldiory OF the State.
General Stern yesterday outlined the
requirements for the reorganization OF
the National Guard and tho advnn-
,ages that VII accrue 20 :he state and
National Guard. he also made a stron:
appeal for cn!istments III compa n ics
now being formed and in the orghniza-
tons OF unite N localities In which
they were touaa in the past. lie said,
IN part,
las our .ore.a,hcrs so wisely or
dained in the Constitution. "A well
regulated militia being necessary 10
the security Of a free state. the rights
OF the people To keep aud bear arms
shall! not be lnfrtngcd. !, bchooves Us
TO jealousy guard and preserve this
NJ,
and physica. support TO tho reorgau-
!zatton and maintenance OF IL weli-rcE-
s'ated National Guard as State force
10 uphold our laws. II we Naae'y stand
Idle. or sulk over some temporary and
d!s,Ereeable memories of the past.
until the time limit exoires such i'm
another priceless privilege OF states
rights to n centralized power in our
Federal government
Calls on Patriotic ytrEipinns.
AS NtrGinianS, however, have al
ways governed themselves. and not
relied on others 10 regulate their az.
fairs. or to assist them. in maintain
!ieecS. IL may he confidently asserted
this sensih!" and timely appeal for the
reorganization of the National Guard
various cities and towns Of sufficient
population in the state TO instant and
immediate action III this v!;al.y im-
portant mater of providing adequate
organizing a company. or companies.
NJ the National Guard, 30 as TO pro-
vide security and protection for no,
for the benefit ana protection OF their
low-citizcns residing in less dcnseiy
settled sections ~ TN" state"
In times OF Peace. the general pu!rtcd
out, while receiving arms, equipments
and training from the FEDERAL govern
nent, the National Guard is. nevnr'he-
less. under. the immediate jurisdiction
81 ',,.
ntander-in chief for state purposes.
This Fedora assistance results in say.
ing each year between sl50,h00 and
100000 TO the state, and more. de-
nending upon t:c size OF the Nationa!
Guard. thus making II possible for the
state TO maintain 4 most efficient Ma
tional Guard.
Communities where units arc located
are already being required "a provide
suitable arm"ry facilities. This re-
quirement Will be sufficiently complied
Win II building With adequate floor
space for assembling and instructing
the company and scvera! weil-protected
rooms for the STORAGE OF arms. uni
provided.
The arms, uniforms ami 1qupage
supplied ,frre 70 each infsntrv co'nn,nv
at approximately $4,000. those to coast
artillery companies and cavalry troops
at slightly in excess OF this amount
while the armamen: and equipment OF
nearly 100000.
Armed with Latest Guns.
Tho armament. uniforms. cquipmnnts
and field equipage provided fol. the Ma
tional Guard by the Federal govern
ment without cost IN the State are
modern and complete in every resphct
This armament consists of Browning
machine guns water cooIod), model
1915: Browning automatic rifles. mod
81 1913: United States Springfield mag.
azino rifes and knife tayoncts. mode!
1903. and Colts daGbIe cotton, model
1911. caliber Is pistol. The machina
guns and rifles are high powered, plan-
tifully supplied as TO ammunition and
N nrssession OF trained gunners and
rife
Z The government also furnishes thir
iy-two horses 20 the mounted organ
iaations and motor vehiciea to the mo
torizod organizations. free OF eos. to
the State ard provides funds Cor the
purchase of forage. motor vehicle SUP
piles and the payment Of hostlers and
motor mechanics. The STATE allows
each organization an annual appronri-
alton of approximately $500 or 5000,
based on n rate Of $40 for each officer
and enlisted man present at the nnnua!
iDsDections for e2Den6cs, and SIS pcr
month to the supply sergeant for taxi
ing care of property and accounts. In
addition to this. tho state Law author
izes each organization to enroll, no;
a. - La a