The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1948-08-19
xplanationS On
uard Incident"
wen By Both Sides

80 Nr' lSAetiA''NiN VI what w DO UGH
unpleasant incident" which re-
thy occurred in connection with the
rement Of the local National Guard
camp, was Forthcoming this week.
h from Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reck-
adjutant general Of the state, and
m Stuart f. Hamill, Jr., Oakland
)rney, former head Of Company c
the l21st Engineers.
ieneral Reckard said he greatly
reciated the interest that people
Oakland and surrounding communi-
evidenced in the National Guard
their desire for an almory and for
nit Of the National Guard, and the
rest shown a year ago by Lieut..
mill when he agreed to take COM
nd of the company"
n his letter Of explanation the gem
! declared it may have been said
n the occasion Of his visit here by
lself or by others accompanying
that under certain circumstances
ividuals might be excused from at
ding camp, am confident nothing
; said by anyone representing this
artment that would give Lieut.
mill or anyone under him authority
absent himself without reference
his department, from the fifteen
training duty"
he general declared that ''insofar
| am able to ascertain, he Lieut..
nill( never gave any intimation to
Of his senior officers to the eff
that he was not going to attend
bring to camp practically 100 per
of his strength" When informed
Major Baker of his obligation to
md camp with his company, Gen
| Reckard said Lieut.. Hamill was
orted to have said that he was not
ng to let two weeks in camp
)ardize his business. He added that
1t. IAclliIl 1pllON W illGGI With HIS
erior officers at Camp Richie in
middle Of July and it appeared he
not present at company drill on
1nesday, July q when an instruct
was sent to confer with him re-
ding the necessary detailed prepa-
on for camp. He said he was at
to understand Lieut. HamilPs
ure to realize his responsibility
er the law and the regulations.
lie pointed out that the National
nd is an integral part of the first
of defense of the nation, and that
with 48 drills and 15-day train
camp annually eve cannot hope
have the units Of the National
ard ready for more than prompt
Jilization." ,n
regard to attendance at camp he
erted we have earnestly endeav-
d never to jeopardize the position
job Of a single officer or man when
use has been presented for consider
IN. But this l want you to know:
neither Lieut.. Hamill nor any
icer or enlisted man of the Oak
d unit made request to be eX-
ed from camp"
Before Lieut.. Hamill's resignation
being acted upon a settlement of
perty responsibility will be neces-
Y, and in the meantime Hamill is
ced on the inactive list.
Hamill's Reply
n replying to the Generals letters
Mr.. Hamill the latter elaborated
General PurnelPs statement to the
vspapers to the effect that the or
lization received only Limited
oervision." Hamill declared that in
opinion "the organization was
GRAVITY neglected and received
lctically no supervision whatso
IT." He reiterated his statement
1t he had informed Lieut.. Col. Hew-
Battalion commander that he
,bably would not be able to attend
mp and that a considerable number
men would also find it impossible
attend There was no indication
atsoever on his part that this
! - e.
Hamill said there never was any
nouncement made by him to the eff
It that chose who did not care to
end need not do So" He declared
Importance of camp was con-
lntly stressed and that he had a
omotion plan for those who at
lded camp with good records.
.owever, many enlistments were
sdicated on the proposition that if
man found it impossible for good
d sufficient reasons to attend camp
would not be required to do so;
d | should like to remind the gener-
of his own statement made when
were arranging for the organiza-
II Of the unit that Jobs and fami-
come first"
He explained again his reasons
itch kept him from camp and con-
ided by stating that Il do not ac-
pt the blame which you have placed
Iuarely upon my shoulders In my
inion the blame rests with the Mill
nv nnrn1.trnnnt for lack of snnnr-