Evening star., 1940-10-24
Stimson Refers
Guard Charges
To Marshall
Secretary Of War
Says Jealousy Is One
Cause of Trouble

Secretary of War Stimson today
announced he had referred crit
icisms and recommendations from
the National Guard Association
conference here, to Gen. George c.
Marshall, Army Chief of Staff.
The conference, which closed yes
terday at the Washington Hotel
adopted number of resolutions
"Decrying" alleged discrimination
against National Guard officers arr
demanding" certain changes in
physical examination, pay allow
ances, status. and especially in pro
visions for future of the Guard.
Secretary Stimson, after recar
ing his own former services in Il
Guard, said one reason for thc
troubles existing today was 'jealous--
between leading Guard officers" ovc"
the part the National Guard should
take in the Federal service.
Points to Responsibilities.
He reminded Guard officers that
their pay and retirement privileges
come from the Federal Government,
adding that all these involve re
sponsibilities in the new training
program to make the Guard a full
part of national defense"
The same responsibilities he de-
clared, involve keeping the men and
officers physically fit and thoroughly
trained. He explained this part of
the responsibility was that of the
War Department.
The secretary expressed the hope
that the National Guard officers
would display the same spirit
manifested by the 9th Division of
New York, his own State.
Il have been particularly proud
of the 9th Division, commanded
by my old colleague, Gen. Haskell,
the secretary said. 1T was MADE
ready promptly and the division is
in the best of shape" He remarked
that the 9th Division had "purged'
itself of all misfts.
Defense Cooperation Pledged.
Coupled with its demands for
treatment more nearly like that
accorded other parts of the Army,
Of which it becomes a part on
mobilization. the National Guard
officers, through their association.
pledged themselves to hearty and
sincere cooperation" for accom-
plishment of continued sound ma
tional defense"
Maj Gen. Edward Martin. adju-
tant general of Pennsylvania. was
elected president of the association
and declared it now is necessary for
the Guard to attain even greater
heights than in other conflicts. TO
be better physically than at any
other time in history. more mentally
alert and be prepared to sacrifice
even more time to military affairs
than heretofore"
The association recommended sew
eral changes which would minimize
widespread disqualification of Guard
officers for physical reasons. If an
officer had passed the physical ex-
animation for the Guard but had
failed on the more stringent exam
ination for Federal service. it was
recommended the War Department
give him a waiver" so he could
continue in service.
Inequalities Listed.
Among inequalities against Guards
men were listed the following: NO
continuous service pay for enlisted
men. no arms qualification pay for
enlisted men, no commutation, of
quarters and subsistence for the first
three grades of noncommissioneo
officers. no provision for pay of en-
listed men promoted during theil
first four months of inductive serv-
ice. no rental allowances for officers
without dependents"
Resolutions were presented by
Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reckord, ad-
jutant general of Maryland. In ad-
dition to electing Gen. Martin presi-
dent. the association named these
other officers: Maj. Gen. Edward
Walter A. De Lamater, New York,
past president: Maj. Gen. George E
Leach of Minnesota. vice president;
Brig. Gen. Fred NJ Waterbury, New
York. secretary. and Brig. Gen. Mil
ton R. McMcLean, Kansas, treasurer.