Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-06-02

crease IN the Strengtn OF the
National Guard Of the country by
5000 men. Omcials here express the
hope that the Headquarters Com
pany, 10th Division and the 104th
Ordnance Company will be allocated
to this city, and possibly other units.
Under the tables of organization,
certain units have long been assigned
the the various State organizations,
but owing to the lack of funds with
which to pay the personnel for drills
and for the purchase Of necessary
equipment, they have never been or
gained. However, the proposal To
increase the strength will permit these
units to come into being, and begin
training as Q part Of the national or
ganization.
Capt. c. G. Park, In explaining the
plan at Q meeting Of National
Guard officers here, said that in view
Of the importance Of the problem, q
board Of ofncers was appointed. by
direction Of the chief Of the National
Guard Bureau, to study and recon-
mend the disposition to be made Of
the additional enlisted men author
lied in the legislation.
After careful investigation and
study Of legislation and the existing
conditions Of allotment, strength, or
ganization, and funds. he said, the
board reached the following con-
illusions:
The authorized increase in enlisted
strenth is to be made effective during
te fiscal year 1886, and carries with il
authority for organization and the
officers required.
THE National Guard Association, In
furthering this legislation, contem-
plated that the increase be used for
the organization Of essential inactive
units, particularly those Of the IL
infantry divisions.
THE heretofore authorized strength
Is. with a few minor and relatively
unimportant exceptions, apportioned
to States upon the basis Of mainte-
nance strength Of active units, plui
10 per cent. Where additional Allot-
ments are made to States having
more than maintenance plus 10 per
cent, the excess should be considered
"A pro rata increase Of existing
strength is unnecessary and, in many
States. would serve no useful purpose
For various reasons outside tn,
control of the present administra.
tions Of the War Department. Ma.
tional Guard Bureau. or the severa
States, the strength now allotted the
different States varies considerably
from an equitable apportionment
based upon the number Of legislators
However. until q general revision Of
organization and allotment is planned
and made by the War Department. OF
until approximate completion of thu
present allotment, an allotment of ad.
ditional units to States is not recon-.
mended: and. without such allotment
correction Of inequalities in strength
based upon the number of legislator,
cannot wisely be made and should
not be attempted
Organization of essential inactive
units is the most effective means OF
improving the readiness Of the Ma
tional Guard for mobilization Mos
lotted to States having low strength
per legislator. Organization of the
most essential inactive units will tenc
generally to correct inequalities II
strength allotments and is the best
means Of utilizing the authorized
increase.
ut Ia expected that items Of initia
equipment for new units, which ar,
now in War Department stocks. vii
be furnished without cost to Nstiona
Guard Bureau funds, other than TO
packing, handling and transportation
Many items necessary for initia
equipment, including motor vehicles
and radio and other signal equipment
are not stocked by the War De
partment
Not including the items which
presumably, are free issue, it is esti
mated that the initial equipment TO
new units to be organized from tn
5000 increase would cost approx
mately $2,500,000. AS only $4,000, 90,
is provided for this equipment an,
necessary packing, handling and trans
portation charges. but very limitet
equipment for basic training can b
provided during the fiscal year 1896.
mo funds are provided for add
tional pay involved and this must b.
met by administrative savings from
the regular appropriation for supper
Of the National Guard. As so mucl
Of the cost for new organization mus
be provided by administrative saving
in use of regular funds, it is believed
that January /, 1896. Is the earlies
date upon which organization can b
begun and this date will depend upor
whether funds can be made available
to meet the costs.
"A tentative plan for organization
Of new units from the 5000 increast
has been prepared for submission Il
the War Department. Salient fea
lures of this plan are as follows:
Completion Of most Of the essen
tial headquarters units Of existing di
visions, brieades and regiments; or
eanization of part of each divisiona
howitzer regiment now inactive, and
improving the organization of thos'
now partially organized; improving
the orgaYiSational status Of divisiona
engineer regiments. medical regiments
and quartermaster trains; additions
peace strength units for the three par
TALLY organized anti-aircraft regi
ments: organizations Of certain essen
tial units of division special troop
which are now inactive.
In six States there are no inactiv
units which are considered essentia
for peacetime training. In accordance
with the tentative plan, II States ant
the District Of Columbia would par
ticipate In this relatively small in
crease.
This tentative plan is believed to b
the most effective method of improv
ing the readiness of the Nationa
Guard for mobilization and use, ant
the bureau has asked its early ap
proval by the War Department rs
general directive for organization. 1
any State should set forth good rea
sons for preferring the organization
of other allotted inactive units. rathel
than those listed for organization
some adjustment may be made aftel
approval Of the general plan by th'
War Department"
NJ: 49, rs;Itnr a Rarknrd rom.