Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-09-05
Charge That the Companies
Were Not Allowed Sufficient
Ammunition Is Explained
HOW REouIslTloNs ARE MADE
This Years Work on the Range to be
Credited to Next Years Supply and
Ammunition Issued Accordingly
Iowa's Showing In the National Com
petition Not Bad.
Special to Times-Republican.

not entire accord on all matters in the
ranks of the Iowa national guard is
evident from some of the things re-
Gently published in the newspapers, but
about the worst case of deliberate mis-
representation which has appeared is
something credited to Major Chantland
of the seth regiment in relation to the
craftsmanship of the rifle team sent to
the national competition at Fort Riley.
Major Chantland is quoted as indicat-
ing that the comparatively low score
made by the Iowa team was due to the
fact that the Iowa guards do not nave
the ammunition necessary for prac-
tice. He also laid the whole blame
for this on the adjutant general, anu
declared his company could not secure
the ammunition to which it is entitled
under the regulations. The compan-
les are issued 5000 rounds each, and II
during the season they have had GER
tain per cent of their membership on
the range they get 1000 rounds add1t-
ional. Major Chantland intimates that
his company has had the necessary
work on the range, but cannot yet get
the ammunition. But as a matter OF
fact there 1s no report showing that
fact ar16 can be none until the close
Of the season 1t will be next year
his company will get the extra ammu-
r1ition, and at no time has it ever been
issued before the Office of adjutant
general receives an official report on
the same.
In general, the friction in the guard,
now as In the past, has arisen from
the mistaken notis j 81 Which prevails
that there is an inexhaustible fund to
be drawn on by the guard. The res
QUESTIONS which are made indicate.
much ignorance. For instance, this
year there came a requisition to the
state house for equipment for Major
Chantland's company amounting to
about $4,000. This would have to come
from the fund for equipment, armory
rent, ammunition, travel and all en-
campment expenses Now, there are
4s companies in the state. If all should
draw equipment like Major Chant
lands company desired, anyone with a
pencil can easily figure up how much
would be left Of the 100000 available
to be used for the annual encamp
ments. 1t is needless to say that the
majors company did not get all that
it had asked for this year.
ship in the Iowa national guard is not
bad, and it is improving. The forma-
ton of the Iowa Rifle Association has
given an impetus to craftsmanship
quite noticeable in the guard. The
team was sent to Fort Riley, not so
much to make a big score or to win
prizes as to learn something about the
way the expert riflemen in the regular
army do things. 1t was a school for the
Iowa guardsmen, and is regarded by
the guard officials as decidedly valu-
able. While Iowa was fifteenth in the
list, the score was fairly good.
Governor Cummins has given the or
der for the Fifty-fourth regiment to
go to st. Louis, provided it goes as
an organization in charge of a field Of
fcer, and all expenses of every kind are
paid, without q cent Of cost to the ma
tional guard fund. In all other re-
spects the members can regulate the
trip to suit themselves.
The stories Of disagreement at the
recent guard camp over the drill regu-
lations to be used, were exaggerated.
Colonel Lincoln had been making un-
authorized use of certain new drill tao
tics, which are being tried out" at
the national military school at Fort
Leavenworth. Now it is well known
that Colonel Lincoln is one of the kind
of men much given to making expert
ments and trying the new things. No
body censured him, but when the GUS
tonaary orders were given for the gov
ernor's review, they included an order
for the strict use of the authorized reg
ulations. That was all that happened.
Nearly all the officers of the guard
who attended the two brigade encamp-
ments this year expressed pleasure at
the fact that the state bar purchased
permanent camp grounds, and few
there were to indicate regret that the
had been secured near the reg
ular army post. BY another season the
camp ground will be in fine condition.
GATHER AT 'ERJScO