The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-23
WISCONSIN
STATUS OF NATIONAL GUARD
Points from the Biennial Report of Ad
iutant General Boardnan

Points from the Biennial Report Of Ad-
Jutant General Roardman. :.
MADISON, WIS.-In his biennial report
to the governor. on the state militia, just
submitted, Adjutant General Roardlnan
says: o..
"The strength Of the Wisconsin Ma
tidnal Guard remains practically the same
as 1t was when reGrganized in 1899 after
the Spanish American war. The form of
organization is also practically, the same;
only a few minor changes having been
made to conform to the changes in tho
United States army by reason Of legisla-
ton by congress. At present Wisconsins
organization is In all respect the same as
that Of similar forces in the United States
army. Should it therefore again be called
into the service Of the national govern
ment. no confusion, such as was incident
to the muster of state troops during the
Spanlsh-American war, would arise"
The aggregate strength of the state
militia is 2.974. On the subject of equip
ment the report says:
Since the last biennial report BY this
department the equipment of the state
force has been increased by the issue to
the enlisted men Of the entire command Of
forage caps. ponchos and khaki trousers,
so that the command Is we'll supplied for
any Of the necessities of state service,
except in the matter Of shoes These
should be purchased by the state or drawn
from the national government and issued.
All Of the equipment above named was
drawn from the United States. The
quartermaster's department should also be
prepared to issue gloves and WOODEN socks
In case of a call for service in the winter.
1.-THE Springfield B. T.. rifles, calibre As,
with which the infantry is armed, are in
very poor condition. They were reftted
arms when issued, and their use on the
range has demonstrated that they are
largely unserviceable. Out of sixty guns
as high as twenty have been disabled in
firing forty rounds or less of service anu
milton. -. .>.s. r. -.
LAS entire change of uniforms has
just been adopted for the United States
army. to take effect July /. 1909, re-
uniforn1ing Of the entire state force Will
become necessary. Numerous amend
| ments as to the order putting this into
effect are being made and more are being
suggested and predicted, SO that the state
| should move slowly in making any change.
The uniform now in use should be worn
out and gradually replaced first with ser
vice uniforms. The issue of this uniform
should be made complete before any at
tempt is made to adopt the new full dress
or the dress. The service uniform IL
more conductive to the health and com
e.
One Of the. recommendations made BY
the adjutant general Is for an increase OF
IS. 000 from $125,000 to $4,000, in the
| limit Of expenditures. Other recommends
ations are:
The purchase by the state Of the Broad
| way armory now owned by the Light
Horse Squadron association The build
| ing to be devoted to the use of the state
military organizations stationed at MIL
| waukee.
| The purchase and issue to officers OF
| the textbooks covering the subjects on
which officers are examined.
| The adoption, ct and authority to issue
| a service medal for not less than fifteen
years continuous service
The enlargement OF all range facilitie:
ON the Wisconsin military reservation.
An increase Of 5000 a year in the armory
rental allowance to each of the infantry
companies stationed at Milwaukee
! The publication in book form of all the
laws and revisins Of the regulations gov.
erning the Wisconsin National Guard.
! The issue to mounted officers to become
| their personal property Of all saddles ant
horse equipment required, and the issue
property Of a service revolver.
The purchase by the state Of at leas
| twelve saddle horses, condemned United
! States cavalry horses II obta Unable, to b.
kept for the use of mounted officers Will,
l in camp.
/ Purchase of additional land for the Wis
consin military reservation.
The expenditures for the financial periot
! ending June 80 last. were Oct. l., 1900
to Sept. 80 1901, s104,56a.40; Oct 1, 1901
4 to June 80. 1902, s64,461.
a SHORTAGE AL AROUND
l =
Goal Supplies at West Superior the loves