The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-20
TURNING OUT HARD TACK
ONE BAKERY WORKING DAY AND
NIGHT FOR THE GOVERNMENTS.
Gen. Mckee Reports to the Governor
-Tndiana's First Call May BE
for $500 Soldiers.

While the President is delaying the final
outbreak of hostilities with Spain, the War
Department is making every preparation
for war. The latest Indication of this in
indianapolis is the order which the biscuit
trust recently sent out to the bakeries it
controls. among them the Parrott-Taggart
Company and the Home Bakery of this city.
The former has employed an additional
force and is working day and night now,
manufacturing army biscuits, or "hard
tack" The output from this concern alone
is something enormous The Parrot-Tag
CART Company controls the largest bakery
in the city. Under normal conditions it
works a large force OF men at night only
turning out product ready for delivery to
the local dealers by daylight and to the
early morning trains for the territory it
covers. Within the last few days the work.
ing force has been doubled and every day
a hundred bakers are engaged making up
army biscuits. The manufactured product is
boxed and shipped TO Eastern points ready
for the use of the War Department.
The Home bakery, formerly operated on
South Meridian street, just south of the
Union Station. When it was absorbed by
the trust it was closed; the Parrott-Tag-
CART Company having sufficient plant to
supply the trade from this point. Prepare
tons are row making for the opening of
this plant. While no definite Information is
obtainable, it is believed that it will turn
its entire attention to the manufacture OF
the army biscuits
The Indianapolis Light Artillery, officially
known as Company A. First Regiment Ar
tillery Indiana National Guard, s'still en-
gagged in recruiting new men. Last night
Lieutenant Callen remained at the armory
until midnight taking the names of appli-
cants. 1t is the intention to recruit UP to
113, adding 20 men more than it was at first
supposed were needed. This is done on the
order of the War Department given direct
~ to Captain Curtis in Washington last Sat-
urday. 1t will bring the battery up to a
six-gun capacity. There is no trouble at all
in getting the full quota, but men are be-
ing accepted slowly. 1t is the desire of the
officers and old members of the company
that the recruits be scrutinized carefully,
so that the high standard that the battery
has attained may be maintained in time of
war. Not few who have applied for adj
mission to the company, though filling all
the requirements as to physical condition
have been rejected The battery is not trying
to turn itself into an exclusive club, but it
insists that the membership shall be made
up of men who can mingle on a basis OF
equality. There will probably be plenty of
men of the same class as those already
in the battery anxious to go to the front
to make up the full 49, and there will
doubtless be ample opportunity for those not
wanted in the battery to get away If their
ardor does not cool.
Sixteen men were taken into the battery
last night, and Surgeon Garstang expects
to complete his examination Of the last man
needed to make up the additional fifty to-
night. The boys at the armory were drilled
last night in war" movements, flank and
piece maneuvers. The recruits showed a
remarkable aptitude in the work. 1t is the
impression that the battery, after being sent
away, VIII be united with several other bat
teries to make an artillery battalion the
whole to be stationed at one of the seaports
When the battery is remustered into the
federal service there will be no individual
as whole, only the officers taking the oath
of allegiance.
Guilty in securing blacksmiths and horse
shoers. He has three machinists as re-
qured by the order of enlistment but so far
has been unable to find single horseshoer
who is willing to go to war. The order is for
three men who are horseshoers and black
smiths They are required to enlist the same
as other men and must give their services
at the same price.
GEN. MKEE'S REPORT,
General Mckee made his report to Gov.
Mount yesterday on his trip to Washington
as the representative of the Indiana Ma
tional Guard in the conference with the
House committee on military affairs. The
report detailed the proceedings as given in
yesterdays Journal General McKee's report
strengthened the belief that the entire In
diana National Guard would be called This
has been Governor Mounts idea all along
Tor week, as has been noted through in
terviews with him published i'm the Jour
nai. The Governor said yesterday evening
aItef MS conversation with General Me-
kee, that he felt almost positive now that
there would be no occasion for disssension
among members of the Indiana National
Regiment 1T looks now as if all who wish
10 VIII get chance to co. he said. Gen
Mckee has confirmed my opinion that the
entire brigade would be necessary tn fin. the
requistion for troops made upon the State.
or course the militia will be given the first
chance to so if the eall is for enough troops
to take the entire brigade"
The Indiana National Guard at present
contains four regiments, no one of which is
I'LL. Inc First regiment is short one COM
pany In the third battalion the Second
regiment is short one company in the third
battalion, the Third Regiment is short one
company in each of the three battalons and
the Fourth Regiment lacks the entire third
battalion, making a shortage of nine com,
panies in the infantry. There are two de-
tached colored companies and three comna-
MES of artillery. Battery b, OF Rockville.
Whlch was recently mustered out by limita-
ton or service, is anxious to muster in again
IN case of war, and there are thirty-fiye
or forty companies of infantry asking to be
admitted to the vacancies in the guard. The
department will have no difficulty filling
out the guard to the full quota Of four
regiments of three battaions each the lat
Ter Ter, containing four full companies each
lhis VIII give the Indiana National Guard
a Total of something over 4.500 men, pro-
Wong the fourth company of artillery is
mustered in and Battery A is the only one
allowed six guns. 1t is believed now that
ladiana's first call will be for this number
OF troops. The belief is that an army of
zOuOUO VIII be needed at first and as the
regular army is only $4,000 strong and the
National Guard of all States only l15 600.
there IS little doubt that this State will GET
10 send her entire militia
me nag was unfurled on the dome of the
Statenouse yesterday by order of Governor
Mount The one on the courthouse was also
allowed 10 float in the breeze in recognition
OF the action OF Congress. All over the CITY
nags were seen on residences and DIaces
OF business. The American and Cuban flags
are usually placed together as i'm the win
DOW OF the Office of the secretary of state.
In some Instances the British flag is added
uniting the allies.