Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-13
STATE HOUSE
War Department Preparing to
Inspect National Guard.
No Reports at Capitol Of Maine Troops
in Spanish War.
New Trust Company at CaIais-Cor
porations Organized.

spection of the National Guard of the
State by army officers appointed for
the purpose by the Secretary of War,
has been received at the Adjutant-Gen-
erals office from the office of the Ad-
jutant-General at Washington Under
section IA of an act approved by Con-
gress, June 21st, 1903, it is made the
duty of the Secretary of War to cause
to be made, at least once every year.
by officers detailed by him for
the purpose of determining whether
the organized militia of a state.
territory or District of Columbia
lis sufficiently armed, uniformed
and equipped for active duty in the
field" and by section is of the same
act, to cause an inspection of each
company, troop and battery in the Or
ganized militia for the purpose of de-
termining whether the said state, terri
tory or District of Columbia shall be
furnished with materials of war under
the provisions of this or former acts of
Congress during the year next preced-
ing each annual allotment of funds in
accordance with section 1861 of the Re-
Vised Statutes as amended" 1t is,
therefore, evident that no militia which
fails to come up to the standard re-
CURED by the War Department will be
supplied with funds or war material
by the National Government. This is
one of the many ways in which the
War Department is bracing up the
militia in all the states and endeavor-
ing to raise the standard of the Nation
al Guard until it becomes a perfectly
trained and equipped fighting force
which would be effective whenever
called into the field. The militia SER
vice is no longer joke, but serious
business, and in order to obtain recog-
milton and supplies from the National
Government, all State militia must see
to it that it's own condition is up to the
standard. Our Maine boys understand
this, and are doing some faithful work
in their companies.
In consideration of the limited time
between the pr ssage of this act and
the end OF the fiscal year 1923, it was
necessary that the inspection for the
rast year should be somewhat hurried
and at a time announcement to the
membership of the great number of
organizations in the states and terri
tories. And although care was taken in
arranging dates, hours and places of
inspection to accommodate the usual
avocations of the personnel of the militia
to save time and expense, the depart
ment is not unappreciative of the fact
that many organizations did not appear
at their best. In order to avoid similar
conditions in 1904 and that there may
be timely notice to all concerned, the
Secretary of War has requested the
Adjutant- General to communicate with
the War Departments of all the states
and territories on this subject, asking
that the office at Washington be adj
vised as to the dates and places at
which it will be most convenient for
the army officers to meet each organiZa-
ton. Adjutant- General Farnham of
this State has replied'that the National
Guard of Maine will be ready for the
inspection to begin on Monday, Feb.
LIST, 1904, and that. a schedule giving
the dates for inspection and the loca-
ton of the organizations is being pre-
pared and will be issued within a few
days. The Maine boys are not afraid
of being seen, and propose to show it
by getting ready for the inspection
early.