Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07
So Says Colonel Olmstead
His Last Annual Repor
CONDITION OF GUAs-
Inspector General Says 1t Can Also Do
Without Y. M. C. A. and Suffers
Makes Some Important Recommend
ations-High Companies.


Colonel J.. A. Olmstead, inspector
general of the Iowa National guard,
who has just resigned to accept posi-
tion as commandant of the military ba-
tallion at Iowa Falls, leaves the SER
vice with a blaze of indignation follow
ing from certain quarters. Col Ohm
stead has just presented his annual re-
port and in it he makes some caustic
recommendations. He says the guard
would be better off without the Y NJ.
G. A. adjunct; that women are nui-
sance in camp, and that the sutler is
worse. All of this will make interest
ing reading not only to the guardsmen
themselves but to those interested in
Y. M. G. A. work, and to the large army
of women throughout the state who ap-
pear at each camp.
Leaving out the Y. NJ. C. A. and the
sutler question, well known military
man in this city suggests that the
heads of the guard put their ideas into
practice before they make the recon-
mendations. For several years he
says it has been the custom of the
head officers of the guard to be accom-
panied to camp by several women,
relatives and friends, and this is strik
ingly illustrated by the appearance of
the assistant inspector general and the
adJutant general in camp in this city
two years ago, when these depart
ments brought nearly half dozen wo-
men with them.
( Going through Colonel Olmstead's
report he makes several very excel
lent recomme endations, and ones that
are badly needed for the maintenance
of the high standard of the guard. The
inspector general favors the erection
OF state arsenal and adjutant gener-
ais building in Des Moines, the mus
tering in of two troops of cavalry in
some of the smaller towns of the state
and various changes in the military
code of the state.
Y, M. C. A. Women and Suffers.
Colonel Olmstead does not beat
about the bush in the least in hand
ling the subject of reform needed in
the encampments. There are three
things" he says, "our camps can dis
pense with to the good of the service
viz: suffers, Y. M. C. A. and women
There is nothing the sutler sells
the men would not be bette without.
The ration is sufficient for the author
lied enlisted force in camp and does
not need to be eked out with poor
Ices, ice cream and so-called soft
drinks that are worse than slopsf and
ruinous to the stomach
THE Y. M. C. A. is not required in
camp to either handle mail or adver-
tfse themselves on elaborate letter
heads enormously printed. 1t should
be a part of camp instruction for a
command to care of its own mail. In
the short week Of camp it is not really
necessary to write many letters, and
the men should be taught to look out
for themselves in regard to writing
material, stamps, etc.
"A to women living in camp, it is a
difficult subject to properly treat. But
II they do not know or care that they
are a nuisance, underfoot and detri-
ment to the good work and benefit ex-
pected Of camp. they have so far uu-
sexed themselves as to be for once on
an equality with man and should lie
plainly ordered to stay out of camp.
They become a nuisance as soon as
they leave home with command,
crowding the cars to the discomfort
of the men, and in camp they not only
crowd the grounds, but eat to the det-
Nriment Of the company messes, and |
have never heard of their Chipping in
to help out the mess.
Slam at Disorderly Companies.
j The inspector general strikes at
Ethose companies that are disorderly
sand presents his reasons for the estab-
llshment OF permanent camping
EgTound.
Changes in Law Urged.
The report urges number of
changes in the military code this win
ter. One of these recommendation is
that the tenure of office of officers
should be for life, or during good be-
llhayiour, with an old age limit.
\ The authorizing of full company in
Ethe signal department is recommend
led.
1t is recommended that law be
passed making provision for compensa
ltion and indemnity to guardsmen who
Emay be disabled or killed while. in the
performance of military duty. Several
Estates have such laws.
Weakness of State Services.
Colonel Olmstead indorses the move
lment for the reorganization Of the
guard so as to make it subsidiary
force of the regular army. He says tne
Inational guardsmen themselves know
ibest the weaknesses Of the state SER,
lvice, and best to put strength in the
lplace OF weakness.
! Among other recommendations are
1.-The following:
That mounted officers be required at
tcamps to drill one hour each day.
For greater preparation and study