Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-13
ARMY GOSSIP IN WASHINGTON.
Current Events Cleaned from tho
Army and Navy Register.

The total amount allotted for reports of
target ranges in the Department OF the
Missouri during the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1904, was S3,l3l. May, June and
July were designated as the regular sea
son and October as the supplementary
season fer target practice in this depart
ment in the current year. the season be
ing extended however, Tor the garrison
at Fort Crock to include part of Au-
gust and formthe garrison at Jefferson
Barracks to include all the month of Au-
gust. The troops from Fort Crook, Neb.
pra ctice on rented land at the Omaha
Indian reservation, the target range at
Fort Crook having been abandoned. The
commanding officer, Fort Crook. has been
directed to submit a report as to the
practicability of securing this as 4 n,.
manent range for the practice of Fort
Crook troops. The troops at Jefferson
Barracks, Mo, practice on the target
range at Arcadia, Mo-, ninety miles dis
tant. The troops of the other posts are
rractcing on ranges located at or near
the posts
There will be considerable interest in
the new order relative to the army uni
form when it finally appears to see which
style of pocket belonging to the blouse
is retained by the general staff in its
draft of the order. There has been some
talk of abandoning the choke-belows
type of pocket and adopting the plea ted
style. This woulG not be a popular ac-
ton and in fact seems to have very little
to commend it, inaSmuch as the quarter
master general of the army. has recon-
mended strongly in favor of the choke
bellows pocket The pleated variety af-
fords more room. but provides no PRO-
lection for the contents. and it Is found
that while a great deal more may be car
ried in such pocket. there is nothing to
prevent the loss of articles. In the
chOke-belIOws pocket there is provision
for expansion. but the narrowness of the
opening furnishes means ofprotection.
Considerable interest attaches to the
probable action of Lieutenant General
Chaffee in relation to the wearing of uni
forms by army officers who are on duty
in the War department and its branches.
It will he recalled that Secretary Taft
permitted the officers to wear civilian
garb if they chose until further orders
1t is very well known that General
Chaffee believes thai every officer on
duty in Washington should. while in their
offices. appear in uniform, and it is ex-
pected he will present the SUBJECT to the
head of the War department with the
reasons which the chief of staff enter
tainS in that connection.
The practice of opening army schools
to militia officers does not meet with the
favor which was expected and to which 1t
is entitled So far fifteen officers have
been designated to attend the various
schools. Two from MASSACHUSETTS,. two
from the state of washington and one
from Tennessee will attend the infantry
and cavalry school at Fort Leavenworth
ti,Ior,. ,,t, ,u'' ~ NTonroe o. 80;
col "a, so.''sni a. ns,s IVA ora -, ~
state nf ur ai and two frnr, 't one t
Will attend the army medical school in
Iu;no, I'll .t;,, lin ,ttora ~, " .ne
risnn sch6 6oi''a at Fort sheridan and an
oT,onr 500, ~ - HI;iit;o ' ,'i, 'nu at
the garrison on at Fort Des Moimes '''e Ar
cfficar ar ~ NJ;nrosoto ro;,;t;n ,,, Z.
tand !, VI me M."ni ohooI ,", liz WI, at
ana anothar ,n;i;tia officar of ro nnen,.,la
VIII attend ne garrison schno, ~ Eort
Mcpherson Nothing has been heard
from the ', governors Of other states "t and