Smyrna times., 1921-02-16
NATIONAL GUARD DELAWARE
MEASURE GETS APPROVAL
HOUSE MILITARY AFFAIRS COM
MITTEE FAvORS ORGANIZATION
Major LeFevre Appeals for Aid for
Disabled Veterans of World War
No Partisan Politics in Militia

Disabled Veterans of World War
No Partisan Politics in Militia
Although it was stated some DAYS
ago that the House Democrats would
vigorously oppose the bill introduced
IN the House by Representative Corbit
providing for the reorganization of
the National Guard of the State, which
carries an increased appropriation of
about $4,000, the House military af-
fairs committee at a hearing on the
measure and one for the collection of
records of Delaware veteran reached
a practically unanimous agreement to
report the measures favorably. Rep
resentativeS of the American Legion
and members of a special military
committee on the National Guard ap-
peared before the committee on behalf
OF the bills Delaware is on trial be-
fore 10000 of her service men. You
have promised much. You have done
nothing, The eyes of these thousands
of youths who so gloriously stepped
to the front to defend you are one of
you today Major John P. LeFevre,
State Commander of The American Le-
gion told the Legislators in appealing
for the passage of the records bill
which provides for the proper aid on
behalf of the State for disabled vete-
rams. The measure would also. pro-
vide for the final honors to be accord
ed the bodies of zeterans returned to
this country for burial from time to
time.
Where Money Went
The various provisions of the Ma
tional Guard act have been discussed
before the committee previously. The
measure is designed to have the Della
ware guard conform with the Wal
Department regulations under the de-
fense act. Answering several ques-
tions asked by the legislators as tC
what had become of the appropriation
for the National Guard for the years
! 1917, 1918, 1919 and 1920, 1T was ex
planned that during the first narneC
year the State military organization
was greatly enlarged and wen
through a process Of preparation herr
until late I'M the year. In 1918 N,
$4,000 appropriation was expended OF
equipping and maintaining the Hom
Guard organization of State troops
/ During 1919, $4,000 went to mainte
nance of the organization and the re
manning $4,000 reverted to the Stat
| Treasury. In 1920 $1,000 was spent o.
: the preliminary steps for osganizatio
lof Delawae's Anti-Aircraft Regimen
Major LeFevre, veteran member 0
the National Guard, stoutay denie
that partisan politics had ever entere
the organization. Major Edward c
: Bradford, Jr., of Wilmington, connect
I ed with the Judge advocate department
; supplemented Major LeFevre's test
l mony that p0litics were foreign to tn
: guard. Rev. j. C. Bolton, of Smyrn;
former army chaplain and State chaI
: hahn of the American Legion; Maio
G. Lawson, of Wilmington, and Lief
9 tenant Governor j. Danforth Bush az
: v0cated the early passage of the bin
: Aid For Service Men.
: The distressful condition facin
e thousands of former service men WI
3 are now suffering from the after e
IL fects of their service was called
20 the attention of the committee.
u was pointed out that many steps hav
I'd been taken in Other States to prope
L ly aid these men but that Delawar
'e despite many promises, has dol
nothing. The growing number Of su'
cases requiring attention, the comp
+; cations that relatives of deceased We
{. Grams face when they apply for cor
10 pensation due them through the dea
20 of veterans were presented to the cor
- mittee as forceful arguments favo
nc ing the establishment of the Burei
= of War Records which through t
:, adiutant-general's office would ca
. for these matters. Col Thomas
Miller pointed out that the number
of veterans suffering from mental a
cL physical infrmities had jumped frc
W. II 900 to 27,00O in a year. The pc
of these cases will not be reached U
til 1927 or 1928, he said. In order
obtain the care and attention d
of these men from the Federal govel
ne ment State agency for this purpC
ng is necessary, Col. Miller urged. Re-
he resentative Buckingham, veteran
Ter the Civil War, Representative BroN
in yirden and Wilson spoke in favor
la, the proposed legislation. 1t is expe
me ed that the bills will come up for C
wo sideration in che House this we
ces -
.cro rrfor, DuuQrG Consolidated