The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-02-06
MAJOR BURNS MAKES
A RECOMMENDATION
Which is Considered Worthy of Spe-
CiaI Attention.
TRAINING OF ARMY OFFICERS.
The Agricultural Colleges Would be
Good Places for This Work-Mai.
Burns Has Long Experience in
Guard Affairs.

The following is taken from the
Army and Navy Register and re-
fers to the annual report of Major
James NJ. Burns, U. S. Army, now
on duty with the National Guard
of West Virginia.
Major J. NJ. Burns, L. S. Army,
retired, on duty with the West
Virginia militia, has made an i'm
portant recommendation to the
effect that the agricultural col
leges, which are partly supported
by the proceeds of congressional
land grants, a course of study be
adopted with n view to the train
ing Of officers of the organized
militia. The suggestion is CON
sidered as one entitled to special
attention, but all that the War
Department can do in this matter
would be to present the advantages
OF such course in training to the
governors Of the various states.
Each state legislature must be
relied on to take such action as
would be of advantage to the
national guard. 1t has also been
suggested by Major Burns that
officers Of the organized militia of
any state or territory be allowed
to attend and pursue a course OF
study at any agricultural college
where all officer of the army is
stationed as professor of military
science; and that, during such at
tendance, they be authorized to
receive from the annual appropria-
tons for the support of the army
the same travelling allowance,
quarters, etc, to which an officer
OF the regular army is entitled I'M
der the same circumstances to-
gether with Communication of sub
slstence, etc. 1t is not probable,
however, that the existing law is
sufficiently broad to include a
course of study of this sort.
The Dick bill, which was APP
proved Jan. 81, 1908, provides
That whenever any officer of the
organized militia shall, upon the
recommendation of the governor of
any state, territory, or general
commanding the District of Colum-
bia, and when authorized by the
President, attend and pursue a
regular course of study at any
military school or college of the
United States such officer shall re-
ceive from the annual appropria-
ton for the support of the army
the same travel allowances and
quarters, or Communication of quar-
tiers, to which an officer of the
regular army would be entitled if
attending such school or college
under orders from proper military
authority, and shall also receive
communication of subsistence at the
rate of one dollar per day while in
actual attendance upon the course
Of instruction, (Those allow
ances would amount to about $50
per month for captains and lieu
tenants Major Burns holds that
as the agricultural colleges in The
different states are partly support
ed by the government and that
the law requires that military
science be taught i'll each of these
institutions an officer of the U. S.
army IS detailed as Professor OF
Military Science, they should be
considered as military schools or
colleges Of the United States, with
in the meaning of the Dick bill ,
and if the present law will not per
nit of such construction, then it
should be changed so as to include
these institutions and that the
officer detailed as Professor OF
Military Science be instructed to
offer free Of charge a six months
course, such as it usually given at
military posts, to all officers Of the
National Guard of the state in
which they are located and who
present themselves under proper
orders. Upon the completion OF
the courses and after passing q
satisfactory examination tho oAiCa,