Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 298, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1916 — Guard “Slacker’s” Sentence Warns 10,000 Militiamen. [ARTICLE]

Guard “Slacker’s” Sentence Warns 10,000 Militiamen.

Washington, Dec. 13.—Piosident Wilson today approved the action of an army court-martial in sentencing Lewis O. Gardner, of the New Mexico militia, to dishonorable dificharge and a year in prison at hard labor, for failure to obey the federal call for border duty last June, but- remitted the prison sentence because the case had been pressed as a test. War department officials regard the decision as important because of the warning it gives to more than **lo,ooo enrolled members of the national guard who have not appeared for federal service. Gardner was enrolled as a member of Go. B, First Infantry, New Mexico National Guard. He was one of a considerable number who refused to be must<cd into the federal service, but the others changed their minds when courts martial were ordered, and joined .their companies rather than face trial. When the case Came up for approval, Secretary Baker took the position that Gardner was not aware of the gravity his offense and as the purpose of the proceedings had .been served by the conviction, recommended that the prison sentence be remitted. * Army officers say the right of the federal government to enforce service of rtational guardsmen has been, well established and a precedent set for the treatment of future "slackers.”