The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-09
WORK OF THE CUARDSMEN
Report Of Summer Inspectors to be
Issued This Week.
ThIRTEENTn'S HIGH RATING
Under New System OF Averaging. Many
Companies That Have Heretofore
Ranked High In the brigade
Take u Tumble.

Harrisburg. Pa, Sept. S.-The report
or the summer inspections of the Ma
tional Guard Is in the hands of the
state printer and will be issued this
week. This unprecedented promptness
Is due to Inspector General Morrell,
who declared at the Brigade encamp-
ments that the results of the inspec-
tions would be made known to the en-
listed men at the earliest possible mo-
ment. He appreciated the utter use
lessness of inspections of recent years
on account of the delay in publishing
the report and sought to remedy the
matter as soon as he became inspector
general The ratings which will be
published will show the standing OF
every company in the National Guard
under every heading except rifle prac-
tice, the season for which Is still open.
The general average and figure Of
efficiency are for this reason not given,
1t being impossible 20 give them with
out the percentage for rifle practice.
Under the new system OF rating, how
ever, many companies which have
heretofore stood high take tumble.
Company p, Eighth regiment, the City
Grays, of Harrisburg. which had a per-
centage of over 80 at the spring In
spection, drops below 80, having but
company complain bitterly. They say
there has been rank discrimination,
and protest that they were not even in
spected in guard duty at Camp Curtin.
The governors troop, of this city,
which stood at the head In the cavalry
branch Of the service, falls behind the
city troop, of Philadelphia, a few
points.
High Standing Of tho Thirteeuth.
The Thirteenth regiment had every
man present in camp and Company b,
of that regiment. heads the division.
1t is rated 100 in everything except
guard duty, which is 9S, and books and
papers 80. The difference In the stand
ing of many companies does not mean
a falling off in efficiency, but is due to
a more uniform system of rating. In
spector General Morrell, in his report
accompanying the ratings, says the en-
tire division received their rating from
the same inspector.
The report criticises the First bat
TALON of naval militia severely, and
suggests that there have been poor re-
suits for the money expended. The
Second battalion is praised, as Is also
the three troops of cavalry. Colonel
Morrell thinks it was good move to
appoint board to consider the ques-
ton of amount of baggage carried by
enlisted men and officers, uniform sys-
tenn of flooring or cots, etc. He also
endorses some suggestions Of Lieuten-
ant Colonel Curtin, who inspected the
quarters. as to uniform stove and
the enlistment of cooks.
Reference is made to the lack of
knowledge of guard duty. and recom-
mends as an incentive to improve this
drill to give the item of guard duty
double the value of any other item at
future inspections. Hereafter inspec-
tions in camp will be made toward the
close instead of the beginning of the
week in order that the regiments with
scattered companies may have an OPP
portunity for battalion drill.
A Rap at the Majors.
Mention is made of the fact that the
parading of the men In light marching
order for inspection and the inspecting
of arms. equipments. etc. in the COM
pany streets relieved the soldiers of
much unnecessary fatigue. He raps
the majors who used memoranda for
giving commands during drill. Among
the recommendations of the inspector
general are the following:
That instead of adopting the new
rifle the state contract at once for the
putting into first-class condition of the
guns now in use; that the batteries be
supplied with new eech-loading
pieces. and the cannoneers and drivers
be furnished with revOlvers and belts.
and that the three battalion formation
be adopted.