Milford chronicle., 1920-02-06
NATIONAL GUARD
TO BE ORGANIZED
GOVERNOR TOWNSEND ENTERTAINS
OFFICERS AT DINNER AND Is AS
SURED OF COOPERATION.

A determination to reorganize tn
National Guard of Delaware, as sool
as an effective plan can be worke,
out, was reached at conference Gov
ernOr Townsend had last Fridal
0ight with former officers of Della
ware troops in the war, the old Ma
tional Guard and the present Nationa
Guard. The officers were the COVER
nor's guests at a dinner in the club
room at the Hotel du Pont, 65 beine
present and coming from all parts Of
the State.
After the matter had been discuss
cd at some length Lieutenant Colonel
j. Austin Ellison made a suggestion
that Governor Townsend appoint a
committee TO work with the adjutant-
general in sounding public sentiment
throughout the State and work out a
plan. Personally he favored an ar
tillery regiment, as he thought ii
would be impossible to form an in
fantry regiment. The governor agreed
TO appoint committees for the several
communities to ascertain the senti-
ment and with Adjutant General
Wickersham, work out a plan to re-
organize the National Guard. The
governor said also that he would do
anything in his power to promote this
reorganization and he felt sure that
the funds necessary would be forth
coming. The committees will be an
nOunced in a very short time, so that
they can go to work without delay.
Governor Townsend, in opening the
meeting, eulOgised the Delaware Ma
t.onal Guard and State troops in war
and in peace. General Scott, he said,
told him at Camp Dix that the Della
ware regiment had set the others an
example for the manner in which
things were done.
shall we organize the guard?" he
asked, If so, what shall be the units
and when shall it be done ?"
Capt. Joseph C. Lawson asked for
information as to the governments
idea.
Gen. Wickersham said the govern
ment has allotted Delaware four COM
panies of infantry and two of coast
artillery with the proper officers. In
the event Of war the four companies
a battalion-would be attached to
some other unit. Delaware is in Ma
tional Guard district with New Jersey,
Maryland, District of Columbia and
{ =
to have the guard reOrganized and
prepared for Federal inspection, so
that it can have Federal recognition
The government act provides for pay.
Pay ranges from $500 for captains of
higher grades and down. FOrty-eight
meetings a year are required, with at
least so per cent. of officers and men
present Each company is to have 100 |
men each, though the governor is |
making an effort to have the number |
q Geduced to 65 to the company of in |
fantry. Before a man is enlisted he |
must pass a physical examination and /
come up to the Federal standard.
An officer who has been in the army /
can be reappointed and can waive |
mental examinations, but must under
go physical examination each year.
Governor Townsend said he had
taken up with some Western COVER
nOrs the matter of reducing compan-
les to 65 men, but so far the reduction
had not been made by the Secretary
Of War.
Gen. Wickersham paid tribute to the
National Guard, which not only did
wonders in the war, but has served to
keep up the military spirit. He pointed
out the necessity for having an eff
cient National Guard, for necessity
may occur at any time.
Col. ]. Warner Reed said the organ
izat.on specified would not have the
appeal to the men of a single unit,
such as an engineer regiment would.
Gen. Wickersham said an engineer
is provided for, with band,
officers, medical detachment, and so
N, approximately 675 men. 4
Col. Reed thought a unit of this
kind would appeal more TO, the rank
and file than one under two heads.
Gen. Wickersham said so far as he
lnew, none of the States was consult
ID as to its allotment, though some (
lad succeeded in having theirs chang !
ID.
Col. J. Austin Ellison thought the
state should insist on having a unit
or its guard. When an organization is {
)rOken up the best results are not OBJ /
ainaDle. He spoke of what he con-
idered the regrettable experience of
he Delaware regiment at Admission I
rhe guardsmen, he said feel that the
Guard got a poor deal in the {
var.
January l, Governor Townsend said, J
here were 20 States that had not or J
,anized a National Guard {
Col. Ellison said if the compulsory \
military bill goes through Congress
.e believes it will be very hard to l
.eep up the National Guard. Person J
lily he thought there should be COM j
ulsory military training. This was a
demonstrated in the Mexican border '
rcuble. Every man should be com ]
elled to shoulder his share of the
for the defence of the J
Ountry. II would be well to have F
military training in the e
'ational Guard. He believed Della s
are should have well organized Ma ]
onal Guard. ]
Major A. S. Hirzel believed any sys- I
I'm that will allow any person to ]
lect the form in which they manifest G.
leir patriotism is wrong. He believ- il
the guard could not be successfully H
rganized through voluntary enlist R
tents. He favored a complete unit H
,ith officers who could give it their r
ndivided attention. h
Lieut.. William T. Turner, cOmman-
er of the American Legion post, told
the unsatisfactory experience of
yo battalions, which demonstrated
lie necessity for a unit 1t might be =,
small unit, but it would be better, -
ith this plan, he thought, rs per cent -