Arizona republican., 1921-01-14
C0IONEL BONIFACE EXPLAINS SITUATION
 IF NATIONAL GUARD

mllOllnL UUHllD bro tn. Phoenix, Arlz, Jan. 10. 1921. The Republican
 Phoenix, Arizona.
 Aar Sir:
 Eeral articles have appeared in tho
 2papers as to what I have said or .hTS been supposed to say. regarding suf iocsl National guard and it's honed- 1S- Mraory. I would like to sav what really think ard have it sound n bif more reasonable to your readers
 me war department is trying very arneetly to carry out the intent of congress in recognizing the National guard; the department recognizes inc N~uonal Guard as an essential and psrmanent part of the military forces Vl our country and wishes 10 sec it succeed and develope in every way. rOr this purpose it sends officers throughout the states to assist the Nauonai Guard authorities and these otIlcers are actuated by the same varnest desire to see the guard a sue cene- Congress has appropriated larae sums of money-miilions-f inc re- organization of the guard and this money supplies uniforms, equipments. norses arms, ammunition forage, vet erinary treatment. shipping charges. and many other things essential 10 the guard. Naturally, the war department looks to the states to do something also, and still farther, expects cities ana towns to do their bit. The equip mont. horses and other supplies fur nished are expensive and must be prop cry stored in suitable warehouses or armorles. The enlistments in the guard throughout the country natur- any are in direct proportion to the ad- Nantages offered men who would en- list advantages of uniforms. of pay. or training, of comfortable drill arr mories, of proper social diversions. of physical training, of the local authu- siasm and support they see given the guard. With some S6.000 men now en- listed in the guard. 1t is the desire of congress that this number increase to some 426,O0O by June 30 1924, and we can all see that 1t will mean To- calities must help.
 ( This help should take the form of A-pthusiastic local "rooting" for their VI National Guard units, and without this the young men of a city will forget all about any obligation on their part and the guard will be mere incident in that city, instead of something we'll known. often seen, understood, and now and then a positive asset for law, good order peace and protection. This help should go farther and prepare and provide for the National Guard units comfortable. slightly, weIl-heated and we'll lighted armories; these armories become civic centers. where in many a, public function is held; they are most necessary and an addition to a city from every standpoint States appropriate money for their erection and cities are expected to add to such appropriations enough that the arr nories may represent the spirit of both Nthe state and the local town wherein Whey are built. Military training Is expected to teach neatness, erect car rsage, good health. discipline, team work, obedience to lawful authority, trained efficiency in rifle and pistol shooting, in riding, in handling artill- cry guns, and many other worthwhile things. These things are all done best in an armory. Where young men join ing a National Guard unit find they must drill. dress and undress. exercise, listen to lectures, etc.. in some cold, barren, poorly located and unsightly building, or out in the street, at night they feel forgotten. neglected and we have a unit that fails to respond, can not properly respond, when 1t is need cd badly at times of trouble. Many 6 fine chap will keep out of the guard if he is shown such poor place anc if he sees no interest in his town Every city, every state, the whole country, wants it's National Guard ts be representative of the very bes manhood therein. Military training benefits the individual, 1t thereby bene fits the city, the state and the nation Military training teaches physical cul ture, mental culture and moral cul ture. If young man seeks the evi in city, he finds it there to be had It he seeks the evil about camp O men. he will find 1t there also. It not the fault of the military training it is the mans own fault; he looks low and he seeks low, and he finds lov things. So, where he has a fine ar mory, in a fine location, with hea light, lockers, drill floor. the inspirin interior of a fine city and state. h grows finer himself and the money fin vested by city and state return to tha community in finer manhood.
 Instructions from, the war depart ent contemplate the armories bein built by state and city appropriation not by the federal government. Wher federally recognized National Guar organizations exist, as in Phoenix an Flagstaff, it is expected armories wi be provided by cities and states an the property, horses, etc, issued
 state will be properly cared for ar Iuo IltCcoSAIy HldDi1b DulAN anu NuG VI ficers and men of the guard be take into the local life with appreciatio with understanding and with enthJ siasm and given proper drill places the construction of these armories, ct The United States government no assumes the expense of nearly all oth' items of cost of maintaining an e ficient National Guard In every stat With the reorganization and increai i'm strength of the National Gual during the next four years, more a nories will be needed, and it is recon mended from the chief of the milit bureau in Washington that adjutan general of state take up the matter
 necessary appropriations with the respective localities.
 Paragraph 55S of the National Qua regulations says, "The annual armo mA.nspections (held once a year and
 Inc made in Phoenix and Flagsta within the next month or so, by mt shall be formal occasions, and the r port of the inspecting officer shi form the basis, the principal basis,