Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-02
ARMY RESERVE CORPS
CONGRESS TO BE ASKED TO Sane
TON IT'S FORMATION.

Information was received here last even
! ing to the effect that Maj. Charles X. Miller
of Cleveland, Ohio, commander-in-chief OF
the United Spanish War Veterans, has pre-
pared his views on the proposition OF FORM
ing second army reserve corps to be COM
posed Of former soldiers OF the war with
Spain. and that in pursuance with his agree
ment with Gen. Fred c. Ainsworth, military
secretary of the army, he will transmit
them in writing in a few days in order
that the matter may be presented to Con-
gress. While Maj. Miller was in WASH
ington several days ago he held consul
| tation with Gen. Ainsworth, who was, 1t is
said, much impressed with the matter.
Other military men with whom Maj. Miller
talked admitted the necessity of having
such a reserve force for quick use in case
of war, and agreed with him that such re-
serve should be formed of the Spanish War
Veterans.
It was said that with the regular army,
the national guard and the second reserve
comprised of seasoned and trained soldiers,
this country would in a large measure be
prepared for the first brunt of any war that
may come.
Mai. Miller informed Gen. Ainsworth and
other officials of the War Department that
there are now approximately 400 organized
camps Of the United Spanish War Veterans
in this country. Each camp could, he ex-
planned, be expanded into a company, and
the companies formed into battalions and
| regiments. He added that the camps could
be arranged to have membership equal
to the minimum or me-of-peace strength
of q company Of the regular army.
Congress Invited to Act.
It Is proposed that the government be
authorized by act o. Congress to issue to
the Spanish War Veterans enough modern
rifles and ammunition, without cost to the
| camps, in order that the soldiers may per-
feet themselves in target practice and keep
up their proficiency in drill SO that they
| can be ready to respond to their country 8
call at short notice for service in the field.
| Thus it is Maj Mller's idea that in ad-
dition to having seasoned troops, the men
will also be trained marksmen and sharp
| shooters.
The plan Is also said to contemplate the
! arrangement of rosters of general officers,
| field and staff officers and all the enlisted
men in the proposed second reserve corps
according to their geographical location
One of the tentative propositions contem-
plates the making of the department COM
manders of the states and Of the District
| Of Columbia colonies and majors in the
! army reserve, the commanders of camps to
be commissioned as captains OF companies.
The Department of the District OF Column
| bia was cited as an illustration with its
nine camps to be formed into as many com
| panies. Col. E. ]. Dimmick, who is much
| interested in rifle target practice, and VINO
| Is commander of Lawton Camp, U. S. w.
| ", Of this city, will take an active part
| in the formation of the proposed second
army reserve, and at the proper time Will
appear before the military committees OF
| the Senate and House with Capt. ]. Walter
| Mitchell, chairman of the national legisla-
tive committee, and department commander
| of the District of Columbia, In behalf Of
the proposition of strengthening the arms
| of the military branch of the national de-
Tense.