The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-23
New Adjutant- General W..
ing for Efficiency of N. D.
National Guard.
HAS SECURED EQUIPMENT
FOR BATTERY At LISBON
Such as Canaons, Caissons, Harness,
Etc.-Expense Cared for Outside the
Regular Appropriation of S11,98S9s
for Purpose of Purchasing Firearms
and General Camp Equipment.
(By George Davis,

(By George Davis,
Bismarck, Feb. 23.-The Office of the
adjutant general is rapidly acquiring
a reputation for doing things in a busi-
ness like way that is resulting in
thousands of dollars worth of good to
the National Guard Of the state. Two
results secured since the present ad-
jutant general assumed the duties of
his Office are especially noteworthy.
One of these is the securing from the
national government of an equipment
for battery A. of the guard of Lisbon.
1t will be remembered that some time
since the equipment of this arm of the
North Dakota National Guard was de-
prived of Its equipment and as re-
suit there has been little interest TAX
en- in the organization by the members
and the battery was likely to be must
cred out as result. General Poole in
assuming the duties of his Office at
once interested himself in the matter
and took the question of equipping the
battery up with the war department at
Washington. So strong was the argu-
ments that the department at once be-
come interested and the adjutant gen.
erals Office is in receipt of a communi-
cation stating that two breech-loading
rife cannon, 3.2 caliber and of the
latest design and construction, with
all the necessary equipment of caissons,
harness and other equipage has been
shipped by the war department to the
ordnance department of the state for
the use of the Lisbon battery. The
equipment is what is termed battery
section and is just half the size furn-
ished the full batteries of the regular
army. 1t is the same pattern as that
now in use by the army.
The best feature of the matter is,
that the equipment was secured with.
out cost to the national guard. 1t will
be remembered that the government
furnishes to this state under the pro-
visions of the Dick law, $11 ,968.62 an
nually fer the purpose of arms, equip
ment and camp purposes. It was
thought by some of the officials of the
guard that the equipment of the Lis
bon battery would be charged up to
this fund and the allowance reduced
accordingly. AS the equipment which
has been sent to the ordnance depart
ment as indicated is valued by the
government at SIS, $50, this would have
been a serious matter, but the adjutant
general was informed by the war de-
partment before the ordinance was is
sued that it would not be, and as
consequence the state receives this
valuable property without cost.
Rifle Practice Team.
The other matter in which the pres
ent adjutant general has done himself
and the state distinguished credit, is
in securing ruling from the war de-
partment which permits the sending of
an expert rifle team to the national
rifle practice at Sea Grth, New Jersey
the coming summer without any cost
to the state. The Dick law provides
that the national government shall ap-
propriate to the several states GER
tain amount of money annually for the
express purpose of promoting rifle prac-
tice. Under the conditions of the law,
North Dakota receives annually from
this fund $3,989.54. The money If not
used for the specific purpose for which
it is set apart is credited to the state
at the beginning of the fiscal year
July land accumulates until it is
used in accordance with the require
ments of the law. Last year this state
did not use this apportionnlent and on
July / next, similar amount will be
due, making nearly $4,000 available for
the purposes specified.
It has always been held by military
men that this fund could not be util-
lied for the purpose of paying trans
portation of men, their per diem and
subsistence while attending the ma
tional rifle practice. This view is held
even by men in the regular army. The
adjutant general took the matter up
some time since and prepared an ex-
haustive brief on the matter which
was submitted to the department
but the contention of the
adjutant general has been sus-
tanned and the department holds that
the funds can be used for the purpose
of transportation, subsistence and per
diem of the members of the rifle team
sent to the national meeting at Sea
Girth.
Now that the matter has been set
tied so far as sending team Is con-
cerned the adjutant general Is giving
his time and attention to the selection
and development of such a team as
will give the North Dakota National
Guard q prominent place In the rec
(Oentinusa sn Pags ~