Evening star., 1925-03-25
The National Guard.

The threatened denial of Federal
funds for the pay of the National
Guard attending armory drills comes
at an unfortunate time of year for the
Guard. If these funds are denied, and
il is necessary to forego drills almost
immediately prior TO the period of
Summer encampments, it will prove a
more serious blow to the Guard than
had it occurred at any other time of
the year.
President Coolidge, it is announced,
IS now investigating to determine
whether an appropriation of s1,332,-
600 for the National Guard carried in
a deficiency bill signed on the closing
day of the last Congress should be ex-
pended. 1t is further announced that
the investigation is undertaken in the
light of the Presidents economy pro-
gram, which is expected to make tax
reduction possible. The sum mentioned
was provided to make possible armory
drills in all parts Of the country be-
tween now and June 80, the close of
the present fiscal year.
The National Guard is an essential
part of the system of national defense
IN this country. The greater it's ef-
ficiency, the greater its potential serv-
ice in an hour of need. 1t is to be
earnestly desired that the President
IN his examination of the present situ-
alton shall give every considerable to
the needs of the Guard
If the Guard needs this npney-and
its representatives, through the Ma
tional Guard Association of the United
States, insist that it does-then it
should have it. Contention has been
made that the States, and not the Fed
eral Government, should make good
the needed sum. The law says. how
ever, that the Federal Government is
to make certain expenditures for the
National Guard in view of services
which the Guard may be called upon
TO perform. Furthermore, the money
which is to be expended on the Guard
comes from one source-as does the
money raised for all governmental
purposes-from the pockets of the
people. There is, indeed, no other
source from which the Government.
State or Federal, may gather funds.
so far as economy is concerned, and
the effect it may have on the people.
1t would seem Of little account whether
this money for the Guard is to be paid
by the States or the Federal Govern
ment.
Underneath the controversy as to
whether this comparatively small sum
shall be expended or not by the Fed
eral Government within the next three
months lies a contest between the
Budget Bureau and the National
Guard Association. The Budget Bu-
reau did not recommend the appro-
priation. The Guard association.
through representative appearing
before the congressional committees
prevailed upon Congress TO grant the
sum requested. The War Department
had recommended the appropriation
originally to the Budget Bureau. but
the bureau had turned it down. The
president, 1t appears, is inclined m
take the side of the Budget bureau.
The law specifies that no REQUEST for
an increase in any item of appropria-
uon above the estimate of the Budget
bureau shall be submitted to Con-
gress or its committees by any officer
or employe of a department of the
Government unless at the request Of
either house Of Congress. As the law
authorizes the President to submit
estimates for the National Guard. 4ba
contention is now made that its rem
resentatives come under the operation
OF the accounting act.
1t would be mistake, however +o
strike at the morale of the National
Guaro IN order to uphold a techni-
cailty OF the law The National
Guard has been built up through IN.
trlng and devoted efforts of patriotic
citizens. 1t has been uphill work at
best, particularly since the World
War, with this country as well as the
rest OF the nations sick of war
slight push sometimes serves 10 start
on down grade an organization that
has been erected only with the great.
est effort.