The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-03
NOTES FOR THE
NATIONAL GUARD
The RED Book" Becomes
Useless as One of
instruction.
Will Money Be- Appropriated for
Brigade Encamrments in
the South?
The Guardsmen Will Som Be- Armed
With the Improv Springfis d
Riff s-Inspection5 Needed

There is in existence for the use OF the
National Guard OF the State of California
book that is commonly known as the
"red book" from the color Of the cover.
1t purports 10 be g book of instruction for
the guard men, but in view of the fact
that it was published in 1890 and sine,
then grea. nun Der of changes have been
made in the guard, one OF which was its
entire reorganization, the red book as it is
now Is of no use except to confuse those
who read it. Several months ago num-
Der OF pro minent National Guard officers
agreed to revise it and make such changes
as would bring it up to date and make it
accord with the changed laws, but beyond
the promises nothing has been done. The
guard is in need of first-class red book
that will give the men an opportunity to
know, as phrase OF the day goes, "where
they are at" The adjutant-gene of
the State certainly ought to have suffi-
cient interest in the matter to prepare
rules and regulations that will give every
me mi Der of the guard clear understand
in g of his position and duties.
The matter of filling the vacancy in the
Office Of Judge advocate on the staff OF
the division commander is not yet settled.
The major-general has made his selection,
but the nominee, Colonel H. Z. Bush, re-
tired, has expressed q determination not
to accept unless it is with the rank on
which he was retired. Whether this can
be done or not is another matter. One
section of the law is very positive in as
sorting that a retired officer must hold the
rank attached 10 the position to which he
is assigned, and in this case the rank of
the iudge.advocate is lieutenant.colonel.
There is another section which may be
construed by stretch of it as allowing a
retired officer TO be detailed for a specific
duty on his rank. For the good of the
service, and to avoid the setting of
precedent that would give every man in
the guard the right to say IF the supe-
rior officer can bubble with the law why
cannot do sol" the retired colonel if he
wishes 10 take an active part in the guard,
should accept the position rendered him
with the rank it carries, and if he feels
that he cannot afford to be disrated he
ought to give some one else a chance.
The great need OF .he guard at this time
is inspections that should be made by Off
GERS detailed Tor that purpose at times
when the inspec ing officers are not ex-
pected. Such officers could, unannounced.
visit the armories on drill nights and see
not looked for. By such visits the inspec-
tor could discover exactly what the men
do and suggest reforms that would re-
dound to the benefit of the guard.
The adjutant-gene has consented to
allow the FIRST Infantry and the Fifth In
fantry OF the Second Brigade TO hold regi-
mental encampments as asked for, but no
amount has yet been apportioned for such.
The brigades in the southern part of the
tot NJ ut 70 m
such, instead of regimental or battalion
encampmcnts. are allowed, it viii, for cost
of transportation. make terrible lnroad in
to the camp appropriation, without 1t is the
expressed opinion Of National guardsme
producing any beneficial results, for the
reason that for several years the men have
had but little opportunity 10 come to-
gether as regiments and are not as we'll
up in regimental drill as they might be.
In seven-day regimental camp they
could learn something that would be of
benefit to them, while In seven-day brig
AIDE camp they would have to 60 through
maneuvers that they know little or moth
ing about, and by the time they acquired
the first principles of ii it would be time
to return home. The money appropriated
for camp purpose should be used so as to
do the CREATES! good to the su,rd.
The adjutan general has sent request
to the War Department at Washington,
ID. c., for the States quota OF the Spring
field rifles that were discarded Tor the
Krag-J orgensens.
A number of canteens and haversacks
Tor the use of the guard are on the way to
the distributing point and will be ready
for delivery in due time.
1t is probable thai the First Infantry.
Second Brigade will be ordered to parade
on Memorial Gay with George H. Thomas
Post on the occasion of the unwilling OF
the monument in the Presidio Cemetery,
and that the Naval Battalion, Troop A,
and the Signal Corps will be ordered to do
escort duty for the parade by Lincoln and
Cass Posts. G. A. r.
Orders are out for the inspection OF the
companies of the Third Brigade, Brigade
General Muller commanding.