Evening journal., 1921-02-16
Urge PLAN FOR
NATIONAL
continued from FIRST page)


Bradford and Major Joseph c. Law
son. all OF Wilmington.
Colonel Miller was chairman ~ the
joint delegation and all the members
OF the two committees spoke for the
bills. The members OF the committees
decided that there Is not any par
tisan politics In the National Guard,
as has been charged, and also an
swered ether critic SINS and Objec-
tions relative 10 the bill One OF these
was as to the increased approprla-
ton OF about 5000 annually under
the bill over former appropriations
for the Delaware Militia. Il was stat
ed that the previous appropriations
were made for an organization OF
about $50 men, while the reorganized
guard, 10 meet the requirements of the
Federal act, will be composed OF 1000
TO 200 men. Another criticism an
swerod was that notwithstanding the
fact that there has been no active
National Guard for several years, the
appropriations have been drawn from
the State treasurer regularly.
II was explained that uniforms had
10 be provided for the home guards
when organized, and that IL requires
about $1,000 annually for maintenance
OF the armories. etc. In 1919 only
5000 Of the appropriation was drawn
and that while about $1,000 was
drawn last year, there remains about
$4,000 of that amount.
II was pointed out that such a bill
as proposed has 10 be passed to con-
form with the national aot before
the Delaware National Guard would
secure funds from the government
amounting to $4,000 10 $4,000 an
nually. The guard reorganization bill,
which was introduced by Representa-
tive Oorbit, provides for an annual
appropriation OF S2i 400, and in ad-
dition would appropriate $4,000 for
this year for the erection OF a build
ing 10 house the equipment that
would be furnished the guard by the
Federal government. The bill would
also increase the salary OF the ad-
jutant general from 200 10 $500
Major LeFevre, in advocating the
passage OF the two bills. denied that
partisan politics entered into the
matter In any way, and Major Brad
ford made a similar statement. Chap
lain Bolton made a strong appeal for
the bills
The bill relative 10 collecting the
records OF war veterans would also
provide for proper aid OF former
service men In cases OF distress and
for the burial OF bodies OF service
men returned from France.
The distressful condition facing
thousands 81 former service men who
are now suffering from the after
effects OF their services. was called to
the attention OF the House commit
tee Il was pointed out that many
steps have been taken in other States
10 properly aid these men, hut that
Delaware. despite many promises, has
done nothing
The growing number n such cases
requiring attention, the complications
that relatives Of deceased veterans
face when they apply for compen-
sation due them through the death OF
veterans, were presented 10 the COM
uittee as forceful arguments favorinl
the establishment OF the Bureau oi
War Records. which through the ad-
/ iutant generals c4llce would care for
these matters.
Colonel Thomas w. Miller pointed
out that the number OF veterans sur
ferinS from mental and physical in
nrmites had Jumped from 1900 To
1900 in year. The peak Of these
cases will not be reached until 1927
or 1923, ne said In order to obtain
the care and attention due these men
from the Federal government, a State
agency for this purpose Is necessary,
Colonel Miller urged
Representative Buckingham, a vet
eran OF the Civil War; Representa-
tlves Brown, Virden and u. Wilson
members OF the House committee
spoke in favor OF the proposed leg
islaticn. II Is expected that the bills
will he reported favorable and come
up for consideration in the House
| this week.