Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1903-03-20
MILITIA MATTERS.

The Recent Legislature Has Put the North
Dakota National Guard in Good Shape
Some Prospective Changes.
Bismarck, N. D., March 11.-Ad-
jutant General Miller feels good over
the legislation just passed in behalf
of tie state militia. The annual ap-
preparation assured a yearly en-
campment at Devils Lake, the COM
pliance of the state with all the pro-
visions Of the "Dick'' bill passed by
congress, by which the states appor-
tionment of the national militia
fund has been increased from about
81, 900 to about $50, 900 per year, the
armory rent raised from $500 to $500,
and provision made for state armories.
In reply to i~nterrogaries from the
war department. General Miller has
signifed his desire that regulars go
into camp with the state militia here
after, SO from one to three companies
of regulars will show the boys how
to 'do things" at the next camp in
June OF July. In addition to having
the regulars with the boys in practice
lcamp, the state has the option of send
ing her guard. at government expense,
to participate in the annual fall prac-
tice marches and manoevers of the
regular army at some point designated
bv the war department. but as these
events are held in October it is not
thought this state will be able to par
ticipate, at this time, anyway.
Requisition has been made for the
new Krag rifles and General Miller
daily expects notification of their ship
ment. He will have enough arms on
hand to supply each company with
sixty rifles, it being hoped to increase
the companies to the minimum of the
regular army, which is sixty-fve en-
listed men, including two musicians,
two cooks and an a%rtifcer. This
will probably be done before the next
camp.
It is quite likely a regular army Off
Ger will shortly be detailed by the
government to inspect the state guard,
80 hard work is in order by the sew
eral companies. It is quite likely a
regular army officer will be able to
supply the guard with the new SER
vice uniform this year, so in lieu
thereof the supply of khaki uniforms
now on hand by the companies will
be augmented where necessary and
will be worn at camp in addition to
blue flannel shirts and tan shoes
which will Dol be issued for the
present, the blue uniform being used
only for dress occasions.
An effort was made in the legisla-
ture to increase the appropriation
from $500 to 5000 for the leader of the
regimental band at Lisbon, and a bill
to that effect passed the legislature,
but a later bill amended the same law
inadvertently wipes out the first bill,
and intsead.. of the band getting 5000,
as under the old law, or 5000 under
the new bill, it will now receive but
$4O0 per year for armory rem in lieu
Of any other appropriation. This last
bill also cuts off the 800 per year
formerly allowed cavalry troops and
the battery for horse hire for drills,
making a straight appropriation of
800 per year for each militia organ.
ization for armory rent.
A pleasing feature of the "Dick"
bill is the provision for a medal for
craftsmanship and state and national
competitions. State competitions, if
practicable, will be held annually.
The national competition, which will
be held each year, will be at such
place as shall be designated by the sec
rotary Of war. The state teams visit
ing the national competition, will un-
der the provisions of the bill. re-
ceive pay, subsistence and transporta-
tion from the general government ap-
preparation for the support Of the mi
litia. The results Of the competition
will be published by the war depart
ment. The medals for the state will
be fixed by the state authorities. The
medals for the national competitions
are by the secretary of war as follows:
Gold medal to the best shot, silver
medale to the next three, bronze med
ais to the next best six shots.
1t is the intention of the state
authorities to'insist on regular rife
practice, reports of which are to be
made with regular company reports