I was continuing researching the topic of federalizing the National Guard (so far it appears to be a legitimate action, which, of course, disappoints the hell out of me). As I googled, I found this reference to a NY Times article:

TO URGE FEDERALIZATION. National Guard Officers Ready to Open Fight Before Congress.

Special to The New York Times.

January 31, 1916, Monday

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30. — The Federalization of the National Guard will be urged before the Senate and House Committees on Military Affairs this week by members of the Executive Committee of the National Guard Association of the United States. Adjt. Gen. J.C.R. Foster of Florida, Chairman of the Executive Committee, reached Washington today and will oppose the Garrison Continental Army plan before Congress.

Did you note the date of the article? January 31, 1916

1916. A short time ago, the Times tried to block users from much of their content if they did not subscribe. Then they went a full 180: everything available for free.

Including the archives. Back to 1916. While it will be exciting to have Times articles going back a century or more (I found one article from 1884, so I'm guessing you'll be able to find the lead article from the first issue before too long), it will require paying careful attention to dateline.