The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-25
INSPECTOR WAS
QUITE SAVAGE
RoastS Oklahoma Militia to a
Brown Finish.
THINGS DIDN'T SUIT HIM
Major Starr Sends in a Harsh
Report.
THINGS DIDN'T SUIT HIM

Guthrie. o. T., Aug. Ex-Governor T.
B. Ferguson has received copy Of the
report of Major C. G. Starr, of the
18th infantry designated to inspect the
various companies Of the Oklahoma Ma
tional Guard. The report is a roast on
the Oklahoma organization from start to
finish. Major Starr Is a regular army
man and he did not hesitate to critize
alleged defects in the national guard
from the standpoint OF an army officer
The inspecting officer visited the various
companies and his report is yolumnous-
No one in Oklahoma knew OF the numer
Gus criticisms made by Major Starr until
the Governor wrote for a copy of the
same.
Major Starr says there was no inspec-
ton of the General Staff for the reason
that thhe few individuals who com
pose it live in four different places in
the territory. There was no inspector Cf
the Field Staff of the 1st Infantry for
the same reason. No Information was
wathered concerning the Signal Service
corps" and concerning the Engineer
Corps. Major Starr says he was told
that 1t was organizing" OF the Hos
pital Corps, the inspecting officer says:
when / was informed that the Hos
pitaI Corps had been organized at Wood
ward with strength or two officers and
eighteen men, the property returns Of
the same furnished me showed me an
equipment. outside of the usual old uni
ridge boxes and two hand letters, only
Tt was not considered necessary to make
the trip to Woodward To inspect this
organization - The report says that the
uniforms Of the guard are worn and
old and has been passed from one to
another for four years or more. In many
instances there was not enough to go
around and civilian hats. trousers and
even coats had to be used to fill ont. IN
two instances privates had been put into
the uniform of nOn-commissioned ofIi-
GERS as they had none of their own. \
few of the companies had canteens but
was not the rule Beyond this the com
panies had nothing in the way of equip
ment. No mess outfits, either company
or individual. no haversacks. no blankets,
no OKercOatS Or shelter tents.
OF the armories. Major Starr says:
"There is no building occupied by the
militia of Oklahoma which Is worthy OF
the name of 'Armory' or place where
arms are deposited for safe-keeping. The
safety of the present equipment is due
60 its utter worthlessness.' 1t is ex-
planned that this situation is probably
caused 10y the small appropriation for
armory rent and inabi.ity 20 secure pro-
per rooms for less than $50 TO 500 per
month.
Concerning Troop A. the following
IS said This organization, stationed at
Guthrie consists Of a paper of three Off
cers<and 81 enlisted men. The claim of
this organization to the designation
troop" seems based on the possession of
40 cavalry hat cords, which are the ocly
things pertaining to cavalry service 1t
has musical instruments enough for 20
men but no arms or equipments of any
kind. 1t is a detached band. not even
belonging to the 1st Infantry"
Major Starr says that the 1st Battery
is made up of three olscers and g. men
on paper with an average turnout Of
is men for drills and men and two
officers actually present for inspection.
The fact that the equipment of this bat
terry consists only of nine artillery sabres
may account FOR the lack of inte.eEt
displayed by its members"
In concluding the report, the major
SAYS that the Officers and men are Of
just IS good material as Is found else
where and all seem anxious to learn Their
duties and to improve their organizations
Most OF them with whom I have talked
realize thhe absolute inoficiency Of their
militia at present. That IS IS OF any
value IS due TO tho interest and energy
OF its members and uot to any support
or encouragement 1t has received from
the territory"
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