Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-08
Adjutant General of
Maine N a tt O n a |
Guard and Judge of
Augusta Municipal
Court Speakers at
Headquarters Com
pany Smoker, Tues
day Evening

IF there Is anything that is needed
in this country now, it is discipline.
say this with all sincerity and it can
be applied to the schools, our young
folks, yes, and even our churches"
This was one of the striking re-
marks made by Judge Robert A. Cony
at a smoker given by the Headquar-
tiers Company, seth Infantry Brigade.
at their armory on Grove street Tues
day evening. Judge Cony was not one
of the scheduled speakers but, as he
himself announced, on passing the
armory he saw the lights and dropped
in to see what 1t was all about. He
was invited to say a few words and
did so in his characteristic, forceful
manner.
He particularly stressed the desira-
bility of service in the National Guard
and he regretted that there were many
people who, though sincere in their
motives, are misguided in disseminate
ing propa ganda looking toward a total
disarmament for this country.
He felt that young man could per-
form no greater civic duty than that
of joining a National Guard organiza-
ton. not only because of the benefit
that will come to him as an individual
but also because of the benefit that
the community and the government as
whole will derive.
! The smoker given by the Headquar-
ters company was very successful. It
was arranged for the general public
and there were present a number of
well known business men of the city
ass2well as number of young men,
either students at Cony High school or
recent graduates.
Speaks on National Guard
The first speaker was Adjutant Cen
eral James w. Hanson, who very inter-
estingly sketched the development of
the National Guard and pointed out
that this organization is distinctly an
American institution, for it really had
it's inception at the time Of the Revo-
lutionary War. The Colonial troops.
he said, were nothing but raw militia
and the only thing that saved the
American colonies at that time was
the fact that these men, although un-
trained as soldiers, were trained as
riflemen, and because of this ability
they were able to make the most eff
fective use Of their weapons.
at has been an historical fact that
no matter through what war America
has passed, and no matter with what
enthusiasm the war has been fought,
upon it's conclusion there has been a
letting down in interest, with the re-
suit that what was ar inadequate arm
ed force at the beginning of the con-
fiict has been still more inadequate
at it's conclusion.
Fully aware Of this fact. In 1920
Congress enacted the national defense
act which is designed to provide an
adequate armed force for the country.
General Hanson pointed out that this
national defense act calls for regu-
lar standing army of 100000 men and
a National Guard of 100000. but be-
cause of an economy program and
desire to reduce expenditures full
realization of the provisions of this
measure has never come about.
The Place IN the Community
General Hanson was followed by
Capt L. M. Hart, who discussed brief
ly the place that the National Guard
occupies in the community. the advan-
availability 1t has in times Of emer-
gency. The speaker stressed particu-
larly the great advantage that en-
listment in the National Guard has to-
ward intoxicating into the young man
the invaluable principles of team play
so successful to any enterprise wheth-
err it be in sport or in national de-
Tense.
Capt. Almon B. Sullivan, command
ing the Headquarters Company. pre-
scented some illuminating facts regard
ing the work of the Headquarters Com