The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-23
MILITARY FUND
DISTRIBUTION
Board Considers. Change
in Present Plan.
NATTER STILL OPEN
Proposition to Abolish the Per Capita
Apportionment.
REIMBURSE THE COMPANIES
Rcauircments TO Have Reports Made
to the State Headquarters OF Ex-
pcnses Incurred During the
Year. Such Bills 10. BE Paid
After ApprovaI-Can-
mons Eligibility.

The state Military Board has under
consideration the matter Of distribution
of that portion OF the military fund re-
naming after payment OF expenses Of
the adjutant- generals office and other
general expenses. The Board is not
agreed. though no final decision has been
reached.
The alternative plans presented are the
old one Of apportionment among the COM
panies on the basis Of number Of men
reported at annual inspection. or one
proposed. which would provide for pay
ment from headquarters annually Of such
bills submitted by the various companies.
covering the legitimate expenses incurred
during the year as might be approved by
the Board.
Two meetings OF the Board have been
held recently No decision has been
reached. II Is understood that two Of
the members favor one plan and Two
the other The nth member was alb
sent ON the occasion OF each meeting.
Tho Board is composed OF the Governor
the Secretary OF the Commonwealth. the
Adiutant General. the Inspector Generai
and the senior officer of the volunteer
militia who Is Commander II. L. Can
non. Of the Naval Reserves.
MILITARY FUND.
The military fund is one-half Of one
per cent. Of the State revenue. excluding
schools and amounted for the year end
ing October 3Ist go about sl2.@o. There
Is also a balance remaining over from the
previous year.
The system Of distribution to individ-
ual commands observed for number
of years. is based on the number OF men
who are reported at each annual inspec-
ton The amount varies from year TO
ear
An average Of about s. OF $3.50 per man
is approximately correct For COM
pany Of say sixty men. the total would
be from $3.50 60 S2lo per annum. This
mt is supposed 10 be expended for
necessary expenses such AS armory rent.
light. fuel. etc. etc. but the custom has
been for the companies 10 eNpend the
money about as they pleased. The prac-
tice has been justified on the ground
that the amount Is ptifully small, and
that enjoyment by the men Of an occs-
sional little banquet or trip encourages
them 10 rem ain in the service and tends
TO attract new recruits.
AN ITEMlZED ACCOUNT
on the other hand a strict construction
of the law. II Is urged. requires an Item
ized account of expenditures 10 be sub
miited by the company 0fiiceis as
condition precedent 20 participation III
the fund Such q construction. II en-
forced would require the various COM
panies to pay their bills through me
year and look TO the State headquarters
for reimbursement.
Before the Board undertook consider
alton of the matter, the eligibility OF
Commander T. l.. Cannon TO a place on
the Board was. at the suggestion Of the
Board referred TO the Atiorney-General
for decision.
This step was taken out Of abundant
precaution. for the members OF he
Board We're convinced that there could
be no question IN regard to the matter
The Attorney General sustained this be-
lief Commander Cannon an officer or
the Naval Reserves. attained position on
the Board by virtue of his position AZ
ranking officer OF the volunteer militia
The next meeting Of the Board viii
be held early in the new year.