The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-19
RETURN FROM WASHINGTON.
Gen. Mckee and Capt. Curtis Describe
the New Military Bill.

Gen. Mckee and Capt. Curtis Describe
the New Military Bill.
Brig. Gen. w. ]. Mckee and Capt. James
B. Curtis, of the Indiana National Guard,
returned at noon yesterday from Washing
ton, where they went to attend conference
of guardsmen with the House committee on
military affairs. Ten days ago bill for
the reorganization of the United States ar
my was defeated in the House of Repre-
sentatives. 1t provided for an increase of
the regular army to about three times it's
present strength. 1t is now made up of
twenty-five regiments of infantry, ten of
cavalry and twelve of artillery. There are
about 26, 100 men, including the officers. I'm
der the reorganization bill there would be
about 1900 men and an increase of ZOO COM
missioned officers. The bill made no pro-
vision for the reduction of the army after a
war, and it was opposed by guardsmen all
over the country for this and another rea-
son. Whatever increase there might be in
the regular army cut off that much from
the state troops when the call should be
made. The defeat of this bill came about
through the influence of national guards
men from Massachusetts. New York, Penn
sylvania, Ohio Indiana and Illinois. The
meeting attended by General Mckee and
Captain Curtis was also attended by repre-
sentative guardsmen of the States named.
1t was called by the House committee on
military affairs for the purpose of learning
what would be satisfactory to the guards
men. 1t is deemed advisable to strengthen
the regular army and to do so without in
curing the antagonism of so important a
part of the Nations defense as the National
Guard
The result of the conference will probably
be the passage of House bill No 9STS 1t
provides for the adoption of the three-bat-
TALON system of formation of regiments
This plan is in vogue i'll European countries
and has been used in the Indiana National
Guard for some time. The bill also pro-
vides for companies not to exceed 1913 men,
and probably not to exceed los, including Of
icers. The proposition in the defeated bill
was to increase the number of men in COM
panies to $50. This idea was intended to les
sen the number of officers. but it was shown
that company of this size would be UNI
wieldy and unit for service in modern war
fare. The new bill provides for three bat
TALON regiments, practically increasing the
number of army officers In peace by only
the addition of twenty-five majors, one for
each of the twenty-five regiments of in
fantry. At present the regiments are made
up of eight companies each and two skele-
ton companies. The latter are not compa-
MES at all. but there are unattached cap
tains and first and second lieutenants, who
are tationed at the military colleges and as
instructors for the National Guard al the
various state headquarters, and are subject
in time of war, to officer companies which
may then be made up. THIS gives four
actual companies and one skeleton company
TO each battalion. Under the proposed bill
there will be four skeleton companies and
they will form battalion for which ma
jor will have 70 be appointed. This will ne
cessitate the recruiting of no regulars ex.
cept in time of actual war The proposed