The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-12-23

Since there is a strong disposition |
on the part of congress and of the |
war department to increase the eff |
cheney of the militia of the several
states" says Adjutant General r. Lee
McCulloch, of the National guard of
Montana, in his report to Governor
Toole, land since schools of instruc-
ton for the purpose have been estab-
lished, L would earnestly recommend
that every effort be used to place the
national guard of this state on such
a footing as will enable it to take adj
vantage of every opportunity offered
by the United States government.
Lack of necessary funds has at
all times been the obstacle in the
way of the military department, and
| buC little progress can be ade during
| the next two years unless a suffij-
cient amount is available to carry out
the work that has been begun.
| The national guard of Montana
has now reached the point where,
without funds at its disposal, it must
| begin to retrograde; and on the other
hand, if these funds be available, it
will in a short time become as eff
Gent as the national guard of any
other state in the union, taking into
consideration, of course, the number
Of troops authorized by the state.
THE young men of the state have
manifested a lively interest in the
guard, and the full number authorized
| by the statute could be easily organ
lied were it only possible to assure
organization would be properly
EQUIPPED and that the military affairs
OF the state could be conducted in
the manner provided for by statute
by all means an encampment
should be provided for next year.
The looking forward to an annual en-
campment is the most potent infiu-
ence in the matter of keeping up an
interest among officers and men.
Thus far the several companies have
had no inducements whatever, but
ON the contrary have maintained
their organizations despite numerous
obstacles and inconvenience.
''At this time | wish to express my
thanks to General Charles F. English,
my predecessor; to Captain w A.
Moore of Battery A, and Sergeant
J. L. Rucker of Battery A. These men
j have rendered invaluable assistance,
particularly in the way of straighten-
ing out accounts with the war depart
: ment. Had it not been for the assist
ance of these two men practically no
: progress could have been made during
: the past two years, and to them is
largely due whatever, if any, credit
/ there may be for such progress as has
Z been maze in the reorganization OF
the national guard"
LAS to the need of the national
guard for the next two years: The
: regiments should be formed and ap
!. plication made to the war department
Army officer for the purposes of in
struction. An encampment shoulC
by all means be held, and the build
t ings at old Fort Ellis sufficiently re
!. paired to meet the requirements O
4 the troops during encampment.
e "A regimental band should be or
c ganized, as should also be sigma
e corps.
], There should be at least two more
J, companies of infantry before the or
S ganization OF the regiment
S CAS- to the amount necessary t.
e carry out the requirements OF tn
d guard for the next two years. B
a rigid economy $4,000 per yea
would cover the absolutely necessar
d expenses, since during the next tw
l. years the state of Montana will b
l. entitled to obtain from the war dc
IS partment about $4,000 worth of SUI
plies and equipments.
"The several companies that wer
n inspected last May and have not II
t. ceived the amounts provided for b
d. the military code should be paid tn
amounts due them, since each con
pany has been put to the expense {
: renting a hall for drill purposes an
each one has furnished it's own I'm
IS forms, either in whole or in part"
E No effort has yet been made towar
q the formation of regiment. the r
port says, owing to the fact that
was considered advisable to wait II
til such time as necessary funds wei
available and until several more cor
q panies could be organized.
The total number of enrolled mi
tia at this time is 472. The amour
due the several companies aggregate
$3.50.