The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-23
SOLDIERS WANTED
Kansas Needs Five Hundred
Men Now.
General Hughes VIII Strengthen
National Guard.
ENLISTMENT is LOW.
He win Try to Bring 1t Up to
1900.
Are Now Equipped Like the
Regulars.
ENLISTMENT is Low.

General J. w i. Hughes is planning
to recruit the guard up to the full
strength Of 60 men to each company.
or a total Of about 500 enlisted men
for the two regiments of the guard.
In a good many Of the companies
of the state the enlistment has been
allowed to fall off to 40 men, or even
less. Very few of the companies
have over so men. 1t is likely that
in the q companies of the guard,
there could not be mustered over
1000 enlisted men. By recruiting to
the fun strength allowed by the regu-
Iations. the companies will have so
men each, and the total enlisted
strength of the guard viii be IN
creased about one-half.
In case a town is unable to fill up
the ranks of its company. it is posi-
bic that the company will be dis
banded, and a new company organ
lied in some other town. Half a
dozen good towns have their applica-
tons in for the organization Of COM
panies, but they can not be satisfied
unless some of the companies already
in existence are mustered out.
The law makes provision for two
extra companies of the guard; pro
visiOnal companies they are called;
which may be organized in addition to
the "a regular companies, and held in
readiness to replace any companies
which may not make the right kind
of q showing It is likely that two OF
these provisional companies VIII De
organized. If this is done. it will add
about $50 men TO the available
strength of the guard.
With all this increase in its fighting
strength. it looks as though Kansas
was preparing to 90 to war
General Hughes says. THE gov
eminent viii allow US the equipment
for a full enlisted strength, and I don't
see why we shouldn't take all that is
coming to US. / propose to push this
enlistment to the limit, and get this
guard uD to fun strength"
Big posters are being gotten up for
the use of the recruiting officers. They
viii be similar to the posters used by
the regular army. and Will call Tor
volunteers to serve in the national
guard. On the poster Will be a large
picture of the Kansas team which
represented the state at the national
rifle contest at Sea Girt. Prospective
candidates for enlistment viii also be
informed OF the provisions for drill
pay equipment. Target practice and
encampments which are now offered
90 members Of the guard under the
provisions Of the Dick bill. and the
new militia act passed by the last
state legislature.
The Dick bill. and the liberal appro-
priadons by the government, make
the national guard organization to a
certain extent a branch of the regular
army. They constitute the reserve
force of about 100, 600 men which
would be called out first in case of
war Young men who like soldering
can get a very good taste of the real
thing in the Kansas national guard.
under the present method of organ
izatiOn.
One of the most attractive features
is the ample opportunity for target
practice with the Krag rifles. The
-fcF1r mi
ton needed, and each year there is a
competitive shoot to select the fifteen
best marksmen to represent the state
at Sea Grit, n j. Members of the
guard are not only given free ammuni-
ton for all the target shooting they
can ind time to do, but the govern
ment pays them 3 cents for each shot
they ire every year, up TO a total of
$50 shots If a member makes the
score required TO qualify as a marks
man. under government regulations.
he is allowed a 10 per cent increase in
his encampment pay so long as he con-
tiUues as maFksman.
Whenever attending encampnents.
or called into active duty by the state.
the privates receive 81 per day. Off
GERS, musicians, etc, receive higher pay
In proportion TO their rank. They are
or course given free railroad Transport
tation and provisions while on duty
The state also pays the rent on an
armory tOr each company. and also
pays members for attending drills.
There must be not less than two on.
more than four drills month. and a
private receives % cents for attending
drill Officers receive higher pay. the
pay OF captain being 81. If a member
is absent he forfeits 25 cents for each
absence out Of what he has already
earned
The money which is being expended
on the national guard organizations of
the various states is bringing up the
q To = rTn re
cheney In former years. the guard has
been sort of laughing stock. because
il was poorly equipped with old
Springfield rifles, poorly clothed and
poorly drilled The members knew
nothing about any kind of shooting.
except blanks on Decoration day You
could tell a company of X. y G. men
as lar as you could see them by their
generally unsoldierly appearance.
Now it is all changed. The national
guardsman is dressed and armed ex-
actly like a regular. he stands UP
sLralgnU- and marches we'll He is
learning rapidly how to handle the
new krag rifle, as is shown bv the
rank which the Kansas team made IT
Sea Glrt In September. A number of
fine rifle ranges have been constructed
by the members of the guard at vari-
Gus towns i'm the state and there is
great rivalry between individuals. be-
tween companies and between regi-
menus 10 see which can turn out the
IllEu scores
General Hughes is now planning to
secure a number of new 2-caliber army
target rifles. made like the Krag rides
except IN caltber. and intended for the
use of the soldiers for indoor target
work during the winter. BY placing
one or two OF these rifles with each
company, it win be possible for the
Euardsmen to continue their practice
all winter at a very slight expense Tor
ammunition i'm comparison with the
heavy cost of Arag ammunition