Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10
NEWS OF THE LOCAL
NATIONAL GUARDSMEN

EN-. HARRIES and Adjt Gen. Brett
were before the committee on
militia of the House Of Repre-
sentatives several days last week
In connection with q hearing on
the bill introduced by Representative Nor
rell to amend an act entitled IAN act to
! provide for the organization of the militia
of the District of Columbia and for other
purposes" approved March 1, 1889. The
committee at the conclusion Of the hearing
reported the bill favorably and unanimously
recommended its passage. The report of
the committee follows:
''This measure is made necessary by the
enactment of the law to promote the eff
cheney of the militia approved January Il.
1903.
1.-The statute in question requires that
within five years from the date of Its ap-
prevail there shall be such changes in the or
ganization, armament and discipline Of the
organized militia of the several states and
territories and the District Of Columbia as
viii bring them into substantial harmony
with the organization, armament and dis
cipline Of the regular and volunteer armies
Of the United States.
"To assist in the necessary reform the
War Department. under date OF October 8.
19O3 issued a circular in which were set
forth the fundamental principles essential
to compliance with the law. The principles
set forth in that circular. SO much Of the
field service regulations Of the United States
army as are applicable. and the regulations
promulgated in general orders No. 3, War
Department, January 7. 1907. have been
carefully regarded in the construction of
this bill.
"By direction of the President the mini
mum enlisted strength for each organiza-
ton of the organized militia is fixed as fol-
lows:
For a company of infantry. total en-
listed SO. This is based on apportionment
to grades, as follows, viz. One first sergeant.
1 quartermaster sergeant sergeants, 6
corporals, cooks, musicians and AZ pri-
Yates.
"For a troop Of cavalry, total enlisted. So.
This is based on apportionment to grades
as follows. viz: One first sergeant. quar-
termaster sergeant, sergeants, corpor-
ais, 2 cooks. 2 farriers and bIacksmiths, /
saddler. trumpeters and 80 privates:
"For company Of engineers, total en-
listed, SO. This Is based on apportionment
to grades as follows. viz: One first SER
geants, corporals, cooks. musicians,
Fl privates first, class and 81 privates sec
"For a company of coast artillery, total
enlisted. 63. This is based on apportion-
ment to grades as follows VIZ: One first
sergeant Quartermaster sergeant, SER
geants. @ corporals. 2 cooks, mechanics,
musicians and As privates.
''For a battery Of field artillery, total en-
listed. 183. This is based on apportionment
to grades as follows, viz: One first ser
geant. ! auartermaster sergeant. : stable
musicians, 1 artihcers, 2 cooks and 104 pri-
Yates.
''For a company Of signal corps, total
enlisted, 81. This V based on aPportion-
geants first class, s serEeants. 10 corporals.
2 cooks, Is priyatss first class ana ~ pri-
Yates second class.
For the hospital corps; !a9 Amprianee
based on apportionment to grades az fol-
lows, viz: Two sergeants first class. ser
geants and 81 priyates. first class ana pri-
Yates. tb) Field hospital; total enlisted: IS;
as follows. viz: Three sergeants nrst class.
8 serseants and ~ privates. first class
and privates.
MANY Of these sections used the precise
language of the department, and where
there Is necessary divergence from the let
ter there Is absolute accord with the spirit.
Section provides for the staff Of the
militia of the District Of Columbia and Diff
fers from the old law in that 1t provides
for a paymaster with the rank Of major.
reduces the number Of aids to two and
gives the surgeon general the rank Of lieu
tenant colonel.
Section II continues the organizations
as now established and authorizes the re-
cruiting and organizing the four COM
panies Of coast artillery and one troop
Of cavalry under restrictions and condi-
TONS Forts Washington, Hunt and Mon
roe AFFORD all necessary facilities for in
structing and training coast artillery
companies.
THE old law did not provide for troop
Of cavalry. and that defect Is remedied |
In this bill.
The company Of engineers, the COM
pany Of signal corps, the battery of field |
vided for in this bill replace like bodies |
whose organization has become obsolete.
Sections ~. 49, n, 14a, lab, IS. 49, II.