Arizona republican., 1921-03-06
HAVE THE PEOPLE IF
 PHOENIX \ DUTY n
 IRE NATIONAL GUARD?

nave the people of Phoenix a duty 'u the national guard. and if so. is .m's outy being performed?" Lieut..
 ses K. Hughes of Company A i'e'n iniantry, Arizona national guard. writes rom Camp Benning, Ga. where is taking the infantry school course TOT national guard officers. to sav that thvenix must wake up to the fact that tn7 answer to the first of the above Eeseions Is as unqualifiedly yes as is FSAnswer to the second one no.
 Lne reason for the seeming lack of people of Phoenix must come from not tuunuerttanding the present status of n~ nauonai guard, what is expected ot it. and what benefits will be de- tVeo rom d good, live organization, '' says- series of articles will be
 elputed by Lieutenant Hughes in sh endeavor to show why Phoenix snould get behind the national guard ana put over the present needs-an simory and the recruiting with a msn class personnel of the two com panies now organized and those which are authorized for the near future
 The national guard as at present organized is entirely different from the old organization prior to 1913," says Lieutenant Hughes. 'Tt is now called, and In effect is. the national guard of the United States and the state of Arizona. Furthermore. it is now con- sidered as an integral part of the United States army. The act of June !: 1920. provides that the defense of this country will depend on regular army. national guard and an organ ized reserve, and the national guard by this act becomes. instead of a huge Joke to the regular army a part of it. and inc regular r1,or xtrifI ', the instruction and equipping of it.
 The difference in the attitude of regular army officers now and a few years ago is the best evidence of the changed status of the national guard. Instead of a patronizing. half hearted attitude on the part of almost the en- tire army. we now meet whole souled cooperation and a large amount of respect. This brotherly attitude is not peculiar to Camp Benning, but has heen noted wherever the writer has come in contact with regular officers.
 "The state provides armories, sta bles. rifle ranges, etc, and appoints officers for the national guard. The United States, however provides the necessary equipment and training is carried on under supervision of regular &fn1y officers. and except for necessary qualifications is the same training that is received by the regular army. The United States also pays both officers and enlisted men for armory drill, en- campments. etc.
 Any thinking person will agree that in the present unsettled state of world affairs there is a possibility of war. This is remote. and we hope will never again come to pass. but the possibility must be considered The regular army of 150.000 men can only be considered as nucleus around which will be built any necessary army either of defense or offense. Who is going to take up the work between the time 8 possible war starts and the time when another national army can be raised and equipped? There is absolutely no other source than the national guard Tor trained men to take up this duty, and trained men. particularly officers and non commissioned officers, are absolutely necessary.
 rAt the present time Arizona has raised approximately 30 per cent of her allotment of national guard Units now in process of formation will bring this allotment up to normal. but there must be considered not only raising units. but keeping them up.
 The first need of an organization is a home where not only drills can be ASdd ssd United States property kept Tn proper shape, but where social ac- tivities may be carried on which vii tend to create and hold interest ot members of the guard.
 "Somc time ago Phoenix voted or the question of issuing bonds in tht amount of $40,000. to be added to s60,- 900 from the state, for the construc- tion of an armory. but through lack O understanding by the people of Phoe nix of just what was needed and wh, the bonds were lost by about 50 votes As. a result the officers of the tw, companies stationed in Phoenix ar having difficulty in holding the inter ast and attention of the men, recruit
 for the battalion headquarters al rofked to Phoenix is progressing slow ly.f and state officials have a natura feeling that since Phoenix was unwill ing to put up $s to the states $t and further does not show the interes that is shown by other Arizona com munities in the guard. these othe ron1munities are more entitled than i pl1oenix to consideration when allot
 Here is the Chan