The San Francisco call., 1904-03-27
DESIRE TO SEE
THE BILL FIRST
Militia Officers Say the Pro-
posed New Law Should
Be Submitted to Them
INFANTRY INSPECTION
Batteries Intend to Drill
in Open Field-Lecture
by Erwin on Honolulu

The announcement In this column last
week that the board specially detailed
for the purpose of preparing new
military bill for the National Guard of
the State, TO conform as near as posi-
BILE TO the provisions of the Dick bill
that was passed by Congress. had sent
out n request for suggestions from the
officers Of the guard, has struck many
OF these as a most singular procedure
They are of the opinion that it would
have been wiser for the board to have
prepared a bill according to its own
ideas and then sent copy Of the same
to each officer and invite criticism and
Suggestions. They claim that II such a
method is adopted a much better bill
can be framed, for then the officers VIII
have an opportunity to suggest that
which ought to be omitted and declare
that which ought to be added.
The inspections in the First Infantry
commenced In the regimental armory,
at Page and Cough streets, last Mon
day and were continued during the
week. They will conclude this week.
The company that made the best show
ing was B, captain Kelly. Every man
of the company responded present at
muster and the inspection was a most
satisfactory one, the inspecting officers,
Major Wilhelm, L. S. A, and Colonel
Roster, State inspector, finding but lit
tie to enter on the page Of adverse crit
icism IN the note books. Some OF the
companies that were inspected last
week did not come up to the standard
Of Company B, being shy as to num-
bers and somewhat behind in move !
ments and in the execution of orders. /
At the inspection of Company T on +
Friday night some of the formations I
were crooked and there was much de- !
lay in the execution of such movements
as "fours right into line" and in rally !
by fours," some of the men running
from one point OF rally to the other I
without apparently knowing at which /
point they should rally. In the setting
up exercises the instructor frequently !
had to call out, Don't you know your
right from your left?' Keep those
heels together" and so on, which
proved that the men had not paid the
attention that they should have to the
simple movements Of the exercise.
ARE WITHOUT BELTS.
Both inspectors closely watched the
maneuvers, and the expression on the
face of Major Wilhelm. though he said
not a word, was clearly expressive of
what opinion he was forming when
the company executed movements.
Each inspector will present his indi- |
vidual report to the department he
guessing as to whether the two will
agree. One of these reports will go TO
the War Department at Washington,
D. c., and the other to the commander
in chief Of the State of California's
guard.
One thing that initiated against the
appearance of the men at inspection
was the lack of belts and the absence
of bayonets in the drill. The men have
not yet been furnished with the regu-
lation belts, consequently did not make
the good showing from the point or
military appearance they would nave
made, and by reason of the absence
Of such could not have bayonets. That
being the case, they were obliged to
go through the very important ma
neuver known as the bayonet drilp'
without what in the guard is generally
denominated "toad-stickers, making
that part of the drill quite tame, as
thrust" without bayonets on the
pieces IN the hands of the men is about
as satisfactory as washing the hands
with invisible soap in imaginary water.
J. w Erwin will deliver an illustrat-
ed lecture on the evening of April
in the Ellis-street armory before the
First Battalion of Artillery. The sub
ject will be Honolulu" Invitations
may be had from members of the bat
TALON.
TO DRILL IN FIELD.
At the election in Company F, Fifth
Infantry, located in Oakland, Major G.
II. wethern Of the Second Brigade staff
was elected captain, position he has
held before, and G. c. COvalt was elect
ed second lieutenant. Captain Wethern
entered the National Guard by enlist
ment as a private in Company F of the
Fifth, was promoted corporal, sergeant
and second lieutenant and was then
elected captain, and after being in that
position for several terms retired and
was appointed on the Second Brigade
staff with the rank Of major. The
members Of his old company were so
anxious to have him as their comman-
DER once more that they prevailed upon
him to again lead them. Covalt has
been a lieutenant of the company
since 1899.
If the weather to-day permits bat
teries c and d of the First Artillery
battalion will proceed to the tree COW
cred ground in the vicinity of 1ngle-
side for a practice march and for field
maneuvers. 1t is proposed to give the
men of this organization practical ex-
perience instead Of confining them to
"fours right and fours left" in the
armory This and the practice with the
guns at the Preside will give them
better idea of what is expected of the
soldier than all the theoretical instruc-
tions that can be impaired TO them
within the four walls Of the drill hall.
Company B, First Infantry, will give
an entertainment and dance in the reg
mental armory on April is.
Elections have been ordered as fol-
lows: Company c, First Infantry, for
captain, March 2S; Troop A, cavalry,
for captain, vice Jensen, term expired,
April IL: Company II, First Infantry,
for captain. April 13.
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PARLIAMENT's NEW RULES