Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-08-07
Iowa National Guard to Be
Brought Up to High Stan
dard of Efficiency
MAJ. oLMsrED FOR INSTRUCTOR
Probable That He Will Be Appointed
as Representative of the War De.
partment to Instruct the National
Guard of Iowa in Military Tactics,
Capital News.
peclal to Times-Republican.

SPeclal 10 IlineS-RepuDllCdn.
Des Moines, Aug. 7.-Major Jerauld
A. Olmsted, retired. U. S. A. the pres
state normal school at Cedar Falls, will
in all probability be designated as the
representative of the war department
for the instruction and inspection Of the
Iowa National guard on behalf of the
war department under the new military
law. The Dick bill contained a pro-
vision that where the guard of state
is of certain strength the war depart
ment shall designate some army officer,
or retired army officer to give his per-
sonal attention to the guard of the
state and to instruct and assist the
members of the guard. The purpose
Of the new law Is to make soldiers out
of the militiamen, practically as good
as the regulars. They are now being
equipped as are the regulars. Already
the effect Of this is being felt in the
Iowa National guard, and 1t Is reported
that there is renewed interest in the
guard work in almost every part Of the
members of the companies would be
reluctant to remain in the companies
if they were to be converted practically
into reserve force of regulars. But
no such effect has been noted. Before
the close OF the year an officer is to be
designated to give instruction in the
guard and make regular inspections.
Governor Cummins has, on request Of
the war department, made a request,
and his request is that Major Olmsted
be designated as the man. He was in
spector general Of the guard two years
ago. He is retired as major of the
regular army, and at present the in
structor at Cedar Falls and he has been
planning to go back in the fall and re-
sumo his classes, In which he Is deeply
interested. But there has been some
doubt as to whether he could continue
there unless the military instruction is
made to conform to war department
regulations. Governor Cummins de-
isires that Major Olmsted be designated
to look after the Iowa guard and in
this he is seconded by Congressman
Hull, by Adjutant General Byers, and
others of influence, and there is little
man for the place. He is at present
visiting at a small town in Illinois.
One of the newspapers of the state
that is rabid in its hatred of Governor
Cummins undertook in an editorial a
few days ago to quote from the address
delivered by Governor Cummins at the
meeting of the state bankers associa-
ton, and 20 tangle him up with the
Fowler bill. The governor in that
speech made it very plain that he was
not there to indorse or approve or
discuss the Fowler bill. 1t Is a bill
regarded by many bankers as only a
small matter and is opposed by large
proportion Of them. Governor Cum
minis did not undertake to give the
Fowler bill a boost. But the governor
is quoted as having declared In the
speech: THAT If it had not been for
the spirit Of let well enough alone,
which is the expression of the con-
servation Conservatism of prosper
ity.' which is one of the greatest bar
riers to progress, the Fowler bill would
have passed by the last congress- All
of which is what Governor Cummins
did not say. His words as quoted IN
the newspapers at that time were: If
YOU will examine profoundly your own
hearts. your will agree with me that
the reason the Fowler bill or some
other bill OF like scope and having a
like general purpose was not adoptea
nv the last session Of congress was be-
cause there We're too many members
who wanted to stand pat ana were
determined to let we'll enough alone.
Governor Cummins did not undertake
to say that 1t was good Legislation OF
what would be good legislation In re-
gard to currency matters, put ne
nointed out how the conservatism or
prosperity affects legislation in general
and tends to prevent any progress.
Ex-senator Funk, of Spirit Lake, is
we'll pleased with the results or the
equalization and assessment by the
state executive council. "The work OF
the legislature that had in hand the
nrenaration of the code of 1897" said
Mr.. Funk. "is being abundantly vind1-
Gated. The state is getting revenue
from many sources other than olreSt
taxation The fees business Is growing
to enormous extent and the collatefal
inheritance tax is producing revenue.
All this helps to place the business
of the state on broader basis. The
executive council reduced the state tax
levy from 31s to mills this year.
is we'll that we are now in a position
to move the levy up or down as the
needs of the state are known and that
we can do this without friction or Ill
feeling. The present system is much
better than the old one. We used to
have a fight every session of the legis-
lature over fixing the state tax levy.
Men would try to make record on
saving a half mill on the levy, and 1t
was always a hard thing to get levy
that would furnish the money appro-
priated Now we adopt the levy to the
appropriations. whatever they may be.
and in accordance with the assessment.
We raise what money is necessary for
the business of the state. On the whole
the plan is found to work well, AMI
the affairs of the state are better ad-
ministered under the system.
There Is fear that the improvements