The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-08
INSPECTION WORK IS NOW COMPLETED Graves Rifles and Cavalry Were
 Last Local Command PROPOSE COAST ARTILLERY Change From Heavy Field Artillery Meets With General Favor-Ala-
 bama National Guard Is
 In Good Condition.
PROPOSE COAST ARTILLERY

The work of inspecting the local or ganizations attached to the Alabama Ma tional Guard by Adjutant General VIII liam w. Brandon and Capt J. C. Good fellow of the United States Coast Ar tillery, stationed at Fort BaTancas, was completed last night. The Graves Rif1es' Company B, Second regiment of infantry and Troop D of the First cavalry squad ron, were inspected by the officers. Both made good appearances. The onlcers will inspect the woodlawn Rifles, which Is designated as Company A of the Third regiment, tonight. Monday the company at Talladega will be inspected, and the or ficers will go to Anniston Tuesday, ox- ford Wednesday and Gadsden Thursday This will complete their work
 A large number of local officers were present at the inspection last night. Ihe Graves Rifles, with forty-one men in line' was the first to go through the inspection. Although this company is one or the youngest in the Alabama National Guard in point of service, it made a spienoid appearance last night and the oHicers and men were highly complimented. The men wore the blue uniform and were fully equipped with haversacks, canteens' shelter tents, blankets and rifles. They went through the manual of arms almost perfectly. Capt. c. II. Seals commands the company and his lieutenants are Chase Perkins and M. D. Smith.
 Next came Troop D, under command of Capt C. s. Price. The cavalry organlz- ation has fifty-five men on it's muster ros's and that many were present last night. The cavalrymen wore the blue uniform but did not carry haversacks, nor any other equipment except their carbines The troops went through the cavalry tac- tics well and was applauded The other officers are Fierst Lieut.. Walter Metealfe, Second Lieut. Malcomb B. Stewart and Junior Second Lieut.. E. R. Withers
 Every member of the troop was present, one member, who was ill., coming from Hillman hospital to answer present. The troop was given a mark of 100 per cent which Is the highest mark given any troop in the squadron.
 Captain Goodfellow Pleased.
 ''The Birmingham militia made splendid showing" said Captain Goodfel- lew, after the inspection. last night T am agreeably surprised, and your city should be congratulated on having such fine lot of military men,"
 Birmingham, without doubt, has splendid military organizations.s said General Brandon All or the commands are up to a high standard and this is a source of great pride to me. In fact, the entire Alabama national guard is in better condition today than it has ever been before Almost every command has been equipped, and we will continue to exert our best efforts to secure all the equipment we can for them"
 Captain Goodfellow, General Brandon and Capt. Edward D. Smith and the other officers of the Brandon light ar tillery heartily endorse the plan to have the artillery forces of Alabama changed from a field or heavy artillery to coast artillery. The plan is to have the pres ent four batteries in Alabama equipped with rifles. During the winter they will be drilled as infantrymen, but will con stitute a battalion of coast artillery. Models of heavy guns are to be secured in each city where artillery is stationed, and these are to be studied closely The plan is to place the officers on a salary of $100 per year, and the enlisted men on a salary of $50 per year For ten days every summer the artillerymen will be sent either to Fort Diorgan, near Mobile, or Fort Barrancas, near Pensacola, to drill with the regulars.
 In Other States.
 The old field pieces now in use will probably be called in, and in their stead gatling guns will probably be issued to