The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-27
RIFLE CONTESTS
FOR FORT RILEY
BIG RANGE TO BE BUILT.
so RELIEVED AT THE NATIONAL
GUARD CONVENTION.

Convention Mt ST. Augustine Adj
IourDed Unexpectedly - Delegates
win Not stop Over mt Savannah
mn Their Way HOme-PrOspect for
nm Increase in the Government
Appropriation for the National
Guard.
St. Augustine, Fla, Jan. 26.-The In
.erstate National Guard Association
Convention adjourned to-day at the
rlose of the morning session, to meet
pgain next June at St. Paul, Mimi.
Few persons expected that the bust
ness of the convention would be so
promptly concluded. and some of the
delegates, whose coming had been de-
Javed. were just in time to witness the
closing proceedings. Notably was. this
the case with the Georgia delegation.
Col. G. A. Gordon. Maj. Walter l..
Coney and Capt. A. CT. Cassells of Sa-
vannah being late arrivals. The re-
naming member of the Georgia delega-
ton, Commander H. S. Colding, with
Mrs. Colding, had been present since
the opening, and had ably represented
Georgia on two important committees.
The Savannah delegation was very
anxious that large number of the
delegates should stop over in that city,
and be entertained as its guests. but
upon investigation, found that great
many had already purchased return
tickets by other routes, and that owing
ha aoYlNr a1i
already taking their departure.
Increased Appropriation.
Maj. Guilfoyle and the army officers
who were entertained Informally on
their way here were loud in their
praises of the citys hospitality.
As a result of the convention, it is
probable that the National Guard will
have its annual appropriation increased
TO $2,0OO,OOO, as against 81, OO0, OOO as at
present This will give Georgia $685.
600 for equipping the troops and for
encampments
The resolution to pay the enlisted
men for attending drills was unsuc-
cessfu
The plan presented by Maj. Weaver
has set some of the officers to think
ing. Briefly, it is that each company
of the United States Coast Artillery
should have reserve company of state
troops in training nearby for that
branch of the service, so that in time
OF war it would be able to step right
into the works, and relieve the regular
'hinks this would attract men who
want to serve in time of need for the
defense Of their own firesdes and would
not separate them very far from their
homes and business interests.
Resolutions Reported.
AT noon, the Committee on Resolu-
tons reported the following recon-
mendations:
That Congress be urged to provide for
the establishment of proper camps for
holding maneuvers,
That the appropriation for the or
gained militia be increased from ST.
VOooOO to $2,000.000 annually in order
10 enable the several states to con-
form to the organization of the reg
ular army
70 extend to the officers of the or
canned militia the use of penalty en-
Velopes for the transmission of official
mail
To authorize state authorities to buy
OF make clothing and quartermaster's
supplies under inspection of the War
Department.
TO authorize the Secretary of War
issue forage to the cavalry of state
Usanlzations under such regulations
as may be deemed proper.
10 prohibit the wearing of the uni
Urn OF the army or navy by persons
"Ut IN the military service.
congress is asked to take favorable
"oton on the Proctor bill to regulate
pne employment of officers of the army
on the retired list.
Oh the Maynard bill to grant the
ee use Of the mails. to officers OF the
ssduOnal guard, when writing on Of
HcIal business;
On the Wiley bill, to create a COM
MISSION to investigate the eXpediency
vi establishing public rife ranges.
Inc committee proposed that a num-
t Ver OF resolutions be laid over until
i ie next meeting and that others pc
Huehnltely postponed. Among the
%tter was a resolution that Congress
snail establish the maximum number
VI militia that each state shall be all
S%,Weu' This gave rise to an animated
discussion, which resulted in sustain
Ing the recommendation of the COM
"lttee for indefinite postponement.
4, Inc election of officers resulted In
tne reelection of Gen. Charles DICK
as president.
Rife Contests at Fort Riley.
The drift of events seems to be that
me next national rifle contest will be
"eld at Fort Riley, where an i'm
"ense range will be built.
MAJ. Guilfoyle, who represents the
war Department. thinks that there
VIII be only two maneuver camps con-
uucted this spring or summer. Each
Will contain about 10000 troops. and
one will be on the Atlantic and the
O'ner on the Pacific coast. Congress