Evening star., 1928-01-29

Instructions. stringent and far-reach-
inc. governing the enlistment of men
in the National Guard of the District
OF Columbia just prior 10 the encamp-
ment period were issued last week by
Mai Gen. Anton Stephan. command
ing the local militia They indicate 10
unit commanders in no uncertain terms
that unless their organizations are up
10 minimum strength by one month be-
fore the encampment period they will
be denied the right 10 take their or
ganizationS into the field for training
They also will be- denied the right 10
transfer men from the reserve list to
The active list as a Suhterfuge 10 raise
their strengths to evade the require
rlCntS of the law.
The effect of the order is intended
~ force officers 10 take in only men
who are interested in military training
and who do not as many have done IN
the past, enlist iust before the oncamp-
mcnt for the sole purpose of partici-
1atiue in that and With no intention
~ participating III the more drab arm
oyy drill period following the encamp-
rcnt.
II is q question that has been dis
CuSSe6 IN the Gnard for many wears.
Nu' this is The first Concrele step taken
- abolish The practice auo efforts Ia
eva6e thS ln>tructiGns lstd down. L
understood. will meet WITH firm ol.-
PpC~cvel The result Is expected 10 Ne
i-auEuration ot al intensive recruiting
canDaign between rcw and the middle
o. next July in order 20 bring ali or
canizations up 10 fun strength anc
assure a period in camp.
A source OF considerable complaint
III the past" says Gen. StephanS IN
structions. has been the enlistment of
a relatively large number Of men Just
preceding the annual encampment.
Many of these men enlist primarily for
The purpose of going TO camp. with but
little intention Of continuing on as
members OF the organization on its re-
turn from camp. as evidenced by the
large number Of applications received
from this class for transfer 10 the re-
serve or discharge
Another undesirable feature Of en-
!iStnlenIs of this character Is the prac-
tical lmpoSsibilitv Of properly eXamin-
!ns such men. completing their inocu-
lation and properly uniforming and
eQuippinS them.
The commanding general has ac-
cor6pcly decided that original enlist
-rentS VlIl cease for al oreanlgations
NNs T1HN'h prior N ms departure ~
-'I~i' 'l'r''s for csr'r. arS II euc', Unit
So ~~t ~ ~..,~..,,u,. ~.a--te~a~ce
-c~--.- - tsat 1s.e - ~a~t.c.rat ate.
- ..-s ANNA, s-c2:-::r:oart W.. g
Ss=-s5
c-lly e~cep::c-2-,, T-:r ress-y.S:5 ce
:.z.s:s--eS % tbs active -: 70 5--::--g
-.s organisation tc minimum. minimum. -..z:::::e-
nance strength, IS they 71l scl6 back
ths training OF those who have con-
tlnued throughout the year with the
company.
Those men whose terms of enlist
r1ent expire during the period from one
month prior 10 their going 10 camp TO
include the eighth day OF camp may. on
application. be authorized 10 be 6is-
charged prior 10 their expiration Of term
OF service for the purpose OF re-
enlisting.
1t was partially FOR this purpose that
the attached table was prepared. AS
for example: The 2oth Military Police
Company lost during the past six
months seven men other than by eX-
Hl-aiion o. term of service II is fair
assumption that the company viii lose
re ssv-e r,n~,re~ during +ne succeed,ng
=, -'N~r's ~ sce,-'c'l. ti1,se cr,rs,," vii