The record-union., 1894-10-24
VIEWS OF A REGULAR ARMY MAN.
Lieutenant Mclvor on the National
Guard.
His Experience at Encampment-How
He Would Improve the
Service.

Lieutenant G. w. McIvor of the reg
ular army, who was detailed to report on
the condition of the National Guard,
yesterday filed his report with Adjutant-
General Allen
He first deals with the June encainp-
ments of the First and Sixth Infantry
Regiments at Santa Cruz and Stockton,
respectively, and that of the Seventh and
Ninth Regiments at Santa Monica in
August. In the Stockton camp he says
there were unseemly proceedings after
taps, and little effort made TO check them.
the officers in some cases taking part in
the disturbances. In the formations OF
companies the men were very slow, the
delay being sometimes ten minutes. He
was told the men were sleepy, and could
not be made to turn out.
The camp regulations were good, and he
found much to please him, and the men
presented a good appearance, but were
lax in the details of drill. Enlisted men
were careless about saluting the officers.
lie also gave instruction to the men at
Santa Cruz, and speaks we'll of their con-
duet and efficiency. a good account is
also given Of the Santa Monica camp.
Lieutenant McIvor devotes consider
the National Guard during the railroad
strike, going over ground previously
covered in other military reports. He
says the San Francisco regiments went TO
Sacramento poorly equipped for service.
he speaks OF the meager breakfast they
received on their arrival here, and of the
sensational events Of the memorable
Fourth OF July.
He finds there were $40 men in line,
and lib officers. more than one-half the
latter being field and staff officers. The
placing OF the Sacramento men at the
head of the column to confront the
strikers massed at the depot was, he
thinks, an unWise disposition of the
troops, as the moral effect that might
have gone with strange troops was lost.
With the crowd of men. women and
children mixed ap with the soldiers and
strikers, he says 1t is doubtful il arms
could have been used it the order had
been given. The Lieutenant refers to the
fact that ''no effort was made 10 effect an
entrance with the San Francisco troops at
the east end OF the depot, which was open
and unobstructed."
After devoting considerable space to the
situation at Oakland, Lieutenant McIYor
closes his report with the following
RECOMMENDATIONS:
First-A reorganization of the National
Guard into three districts, each under the
VI.
headquarters at San Francisco, Sacra-
mento and Los Angeles, respectively.
Second-A reduction OF the number OF
division, brigade and regimental staff Of
hcers to something like Lbe requirements
of actual service. The excessive proper
ton of staff officers in service during the
strike Is matter OF some significance to
the people of California, considering that
they were all under pay. For example,
the First Infantry had with it at ono pc
riod eight regimental staff officers per-
forming duties which i'll the regular serv-
ice would ordinarily devolye upon two
Iieutenants.
Third--A material reduction in the
number of companies and increase in the
enlisted strength of each company, so
that each shall consist OF not less than
sixty enlisted men, Instead of forty
seven, as at present. Under Xisting con-
ditions, some OF the companies are with
difficulty maintained up 10 the minimum
limit prescribed by law. In San Fran
cisco there are twenty-seven company
organizations, included in three regi-
mental organizations, battery of artil-
cry, troop Of cavalry, a naval battalion
ana a signal corps. l am inclined to be-
leve that this is too large a number 1or
all too be maintained up 10 the proper
standard in numbers.
In many cases throughout the State
there is habitually small attendance at
drills and companies often appear at
camp as Insignificant squads. AT one
encampment of two regiments at Santa
Monica ii was necessary to com bine the
two fourteen company organizations in
ALL in order to make a four-company
battalion of sufficient size TO illustrate
some of the movements in the drill
Regulations"
Fourth-OrganiZation of companies
when practicable into twelve company
6ti int
regiments; or, If companies are too
widely separated for regimental organ
ization, then into four-company battal-
ions.
tifth-The maintenance in San Fran
cisco of four-cOmpany battalion, to be
uniformed and designated as artillery,
and which in addition TO being drilled as
infantry shall receive, as far as practical
BILE, instruction in the handling of heavy
guns. The value of such a force as an
auxiliary to the regular artillery i'll case of
war is we'll recognized. The convenient
proximity of the forts forming the de-
lenses of the harbor Of San Francisco,
and the excellent material in the city for
such force, seem TO be favorable condi-
tions.
Sixth-Provision for examination for
appointment In any staff department and
tor appointment on the regImental staff
Standardization of company officers
for term of four years instead of two, as
at present.
Eighth-A physical examination upon
enlistment in the National Guard and
upon every re-enlistmenI.
Ninth-Provision for permanent camp
grounds, one in the northern or central
and the other III the southern part of the
State.
Tenth-Proyision for good rifle range
in the vicinity OF San Francisco, and
more encouragement for long-range mr.
ing.
Eleventh Provision for State armories.
beginning first with the larger cities and
towns.
Twelfth-A complete equipment for
every company in the National Guard,
including servlceable Springfield rifles.
Thirteenth-lt is recommended that in
armory drills more attention be paid 10
the school OF the soldier This drill
should be by squad under the non-con,-
Inissoned ofhcers, who thereby gain
knowledge and confidence, and tile men
IN turn get more and better instruction in
tie school of the soldier, which is the
foundation OF good drill.
POPULIST MEETING LAST NIGHT
j. V. Webster, Candidate for Gov
ernor, Speaks.
Turner Hall was nearly filed last night
with people to hear the San Luis Obispo
banker, j. V. Webster, candidate for
Gnvarnor on the PopuIist ticket ami