Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-03

slider and report upon plan for the
Ganization of an officers club, the object
OF which shall be to promote the interests
of the I'd Regiment in every way. A plan
has been formulated to increase the eff
cheney of the 1st Regiment, and it will be
put in operation by the middle of this
month.
The steps taken in the two regiments,
as mentioned. were in pursuance of the
suggestions that recently emanated from
District militia headquarters, which were
published in full in The Star.
Secretary Taft on the Militia.
In his annual report. just made public,
Secretary of War Taft. referring to the
militia. says that it is gratifying to be
able to report that very satisfactory
progress has been made toward bringing
the organized militia of the several states
and territories to condition equal to
that OF the regular army, respecting arm
ament and equipment. Officers of both
services have cheerfulIy and effectively
co-operated in meeting the requirements
OF the new law, both in letter and in
spirit and their combined efforts to bring
the militia up to the high standard of the
army in discipline and instruction are
meeting with excellent results.
Other extracts from Secretary Taft's
report follow:
One of the most useful nroy-;cions of
the new militia act is contained in section
ii, which makes it the duty of the Sec
rotary OF War to have inspections made
by regular army officers at least once a
year to determine whether the organized
militia is sufficiently armed uniformed
and equipped for active duty in the fold
as 70 entltle 1T to the use of it's allotment
under section 1861, Revised Statutes for
pay subsistence and transportation while
ehcamped in actual field or camp service
for instruction 49,
"A special inspection of the entire or
ganized militia of the country was
promptly made after the passage of tha
law. among the immediate results of the
special inspection were the disbandment
ana muster out OF many companies. the
recruitment of others, and the entire re-
organization of the organized militia of
several states and territories These
changes were made mainly with view
s 20 ume oet.erment of the service and to
secure a larger attendance at drills Re
the extended territory over which some
companies were scattered in the mast bav
ing preeluded the assembling of a work
ING ING percentage OF the normal strength of
the organizations"
Great Advance in Efficiency.
The general results of the inspections
"hich nave been made under this order show
great advance in zeal, efficiency. care of
arms uniforms. etc; also that both officers
ana men nave acquired a clearer compre-
hehsion OF their duty to the state and ma
tionai governments. They also show that
NV ilAl4Nit IL being brought tn
conform 10 the system of the United States
army with regard to military instruction
and discipline ii
or the S.4i9 officers and 1O6. 1877 men COM
posing the organized militia of the several
states and territories at the dates Of H.
inspections, 6.915 officers (S2 per cent? and
$3.50 men as per cent? were present al
those inspections.
The strength of the organized militia 20
the United States on October / 1904 iuclud-
ing ofhcers of every rank and grade was
il3,93I. consisting of S,S05 officers and 1O7, :
1872 enlisted men. 40
The military secretary reports that dur
ing the past year the organization and ner-
sonnet of the militia force have been greatly
improved. and that individual members of
the National Guard have manifested an
increased interest in its advancement Dis
cipllne has been more rigidly insisted unon
ana the more uniform enforcement of local
laws requiring examinations as to physicaI
and mental fitness for warrant or commits
sion has resulted in the elimination Of the
undesirable and incompetent and the suh
stttunon IN their stead of officers and men
whose fitness and enthusiasm have had n
Sood erect on the organization
ME IL is true that there appears tn
nave peen retrogression in some of the
states. careful analysis of reports received
dlscloses conditions promising future. "a :
vancement in efficiency and a general dis.
position TO abandon such customs as have
cheney. Pioi'-
The military secretary estimates that
about 20 ger cent of the total strength Of
the organized militia would respond to
can Tor service under the federal govern
ment eo'Nt u
In addition to improving the personnel
of the organized militia raising the stan5
ard of its discipline and increasing its eff
cheney the new militia law has aroused ~
interest OF the young men of the country in
military affairs and has increased their In
ciination for military service, az
Notes.
Private Richard ]. Downey signal corns
has been honorably discharged. ~
Samuel W. Stratton has received his com.