The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-26
MILITIA MAKES A
FINE SHOWING
Maj. GerIaCh Finds Companies
Throughout the State in
Excellent Shape.

At last the ordeal of inspection is
over, and local company commanders
are drawing a breath of relief. All
have reason to feel proud of the show
ing made by their companies. Mai.
William Gerlach, the inspecting officer,
has nearly finished his tour, and this
week will wind it up, SO far as the
companies are concerned. But his
main work will then commence in pre-
pairing his report for the war depart
ment. In referring to the work the
major said:
L had expected to find the compa-
MES throughout the state in excellent
shape, but was unprepared for such
general eXcellency. The assistance re-
ceiVed from the federal government
through the Dick law has done much
toward increasing the interest, and all
that is lacking now is the interest
and support of the companies at home
stations. Too little encouragement is
held out to the officers and men by
citizens in the smaller towns Many
OF the companies find it necessary to
use part Of their inspection money to
pay hall rent for drill purposes, while
the Mortified company finds it neces-
sary to use its entire inspection allow
ance for this purpose.
Discouraeins Treatment.
TT is remarkable, however, how these
companies, receiving so little attention,
keep themselves in condition. 1t is a
crime almost to have these officers and
men work so hard where their work is
so little appreciated and l will prob
ably recommend that these cities be
given an opportunity to provide better
for their companies or lose them in GER
tain cases.
The showing made by the st. Paul
companies, considering the lack of OPP
portunities, is marvellous. For the
past year they have been without an
armory to drill in, the company rooms
have been anything but pleasant to
while away the time in, and social
paStimes of a military nature have
been almost ignored But in spite of
all this the interest has kept up and
the personnel of the membership is eX-
cellent.
"Adjt. Gen. Libbey accompanied me
on several of my trips, and l only wish
he could have found time to go with
me to every station. Much good can
be done by the higher military authori-
ties visiting the smaller towns, and
trying to increase the enthusiasm"
Inspections Of Local Companies.
On Monday night Of last week
Company c established a record
for itself, and one seldom accom-
plished in this state, present.
ing 100 per cent membership for
muster-59 men. On Tuesday evening
Company E, First infantry, mustered
SO men, two being absent on leave.
Company E, Third infantry, presented
SIS on Wednesday evening. Company
d, First infantry, had IS out of SO
present on Thursday evening, and on
Friday evening Battery A presented
its entire membership, now 70. During
the afternoon each company had it's
books and property examined, and the
inspection in the evening was a sim
pie matter-the ceremony of inspection
and muster. The companies were then
dismissed. Maj. Gerlach, however,
promised the boys he would watch
them drill during the encampment.
There is no room for drill in the present
quarters.
Lieut.. Col. Frank T. CorristOn, COM
handing the First regiment, was pres
ent and witnessed the inspection of
each of his companies and was greatly
pleased at the interest shown.
The encampment dates have prac-
ticalIy been set as follows: Third i'll
and battalion of artillery, July to IA,
and the First infantry, July Is to "a.
Each regiment will remain for ten days.