The Washington times., 1907-08-11
MURRAY APPROVES
WORK OF MILITIA
Artillery Chief Desires
Opinions of State
Governors.

Reports Of officers In charge of the
recent joint maneuvers between State
miliuas and the Coast Artillery, which
were conducted this summer for the
first time as an experiment. are begin
ming to be received at the War De
partment and show to the officials the
advantages OF such maneuvers. After
having carefully examined a number Of
these reports, Brig. Gen. Arthur Muir
ray, chief of artillery, is convinced that
the maneuvers were even more sue
cessful than had been expected, and
he is ready TO recommend TO Congress
at the next session that such exercises
be provided for annually.
General Murray, having received the
reports of the officers IN command Of
the different artillery districts, is now
awaiting expressions from governors OF
the different States. after they have re-
ceived the reports OF the officers COM
manding their militias.
Army officials are particularly well
pleased with the work done by the
militia OF the District OF Columbia IN
connection with the coast batteries at
Fort Hunt, Va, and Folt Washington,
Md, which, located opposite each other
on the Potomac. afford the last coast
defense OF the harbor Of the National
Capital.
The District boys evinced lively in
terest IN the work and the general de-
sire seemed TO be that they be per-
mitted TO continue II each year, in line
with the decision OF General Murray.
The Maryland militia. which operated
In conjunction with Forts McHenry and
Howard. also made a most creditable
showing. Like reports come from all
along the coast up 10 Maine. some State
military organization working In con-
necton with each fort. Extensive op-
erations were conducted with marked
success at the New York and Massa-
chusetts forts. with detachments Of the
militia Of the respective States.
Many States have fled artillery, but
Massachusetts is the Orly one having
coast artillery Need Of coast artillery
in the different militias has been pro-
nOunced in the minds Of army officers,
and for some time General Murray has
been working along the line Of induc-
ing States 10 build up such orga- iza-
tiOus, or else assign certain attachments
Of the infantry or cavalry 10 work regu-
larry with the coast artillery of the
regular army once each year. He Op-
loses the assignment Of different de-
taChmeuts each year. for the business
learned IN OpeT aung the big guns this
year would prove OF no lasting benent
u not continued. In other words the
first years work will only form a basis
for future operations
General Murray is particularly anx-
be assigned regularly 10 such maneuvers
annually, and the remainder may be
assigned to the mobile army-tO the an
nual Infantry and cavalry maneuvers.
as heretofore These maneuveTs were
rot carried out this summer because Of
a considerable portion Of the army being
stationed In Cuba and different COM
mands having been sent 10 the James
town Exposition.
Under the Dick bill. the Congressional
appropriation for the annual maneu-
vers OF State militias with the regular
forces is I.Oo0000. General Murray viii
recommend that about $500. .00O Of this
sum be allotted 70 joint operations OF
a portion Of eacn state militia with the
coast artillery.