Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07
PROUDOF HIS MARINES
Gen. Elliot SO Intimates in An.
nuaI Report.
ASKS FOR A LARGER FORCE
Expects Increase of Pay to Materi-
ally Benefit Service.
SUMMARY OF THE ESTIMATES
Asks Appropriation With Which to
Purchase Small Arms Of the
Army Type.
ASKS FOR A LARGER FORCE
SUMMARY OF THE ESTIMATES


United States Marine Corps. in his annual
report to the Secretary of the Navy refers
with evident pride to the efficient services
rendered by the corps during the past
years. and makes strong plea for about
500 additional enlisted men and the nee
essary quota of officers, In order to meet
the constantly growing demands of the
service. He says that the small increase
of force authorized last year relieved the
situation somewhat. but provided only
about half the number of officers and
enlisted men regarded as absolutely nee
essary. The present strength of the
corps is 26s officers and s,S26 enlisted men,
and of that number about "a per cent
are serving in the United States and 10
per cent are in the Philippines, Cuba,
Panama and elsewhere outside of the
United States.
The increase in pay of officers and men
authorized by the last Congress, Gen. Ell
liot says, will materially benefit the serv-
ice and place it on higher plane of dis
cipline and efficiency. He expresses the
qualification over the receipt during the
past year of numerous letters from the
department and from others commencing
in the highest terms the services of the
corps as a whole as we'll as certain indf-
viduals thereof The instances referred to
were not only in relation to the fine ap-
pearance of the marines upon the vart-
Gus parades in which they participated,
but have mostly been for actual services
Mass: individual cases of heroism, and
especially letters from the department to
officers and enlisted men of the corps for
services rendered at the guns.
Wants the Army Rife.
no c,,H cd Ind
item of $236, 500 with which to purchase
from the army 10000 rifles. complete. lat
est model. and 100000 rounds of ammu-
milton. This is deemed necessary in order
that the Marine Corps may be armed with
the same rifle as the army. Gen. Elliott
says the new arm is considered superior
to that now in use, and, as the marines
and army are frequently serving together,
in case of an emergency serious embar-
rassment would ensue, owing to the am
munition supply. AS the Secretary of the
Navy has directed that the enlisted men
of the navy be armed with this new rifle.
1t therefore seems only right and proper
that the enlisted men of the Marine Corps
should have the same arm.
In order to obtain line on material
for the Marine Corps rifle team, and to
further arouse interest in target prac-
tice. 1T Is the intention to have the Ma
rine Corps hold during the target years in
future series of post competitions in the
United States and company and reg1-
mental matches in the Philippine Islands.
These competitions would not only create
a rivalry between the several, posts en-
gagged therein, but would furnish some of
where ranges are not available an oppor-
tunity to fire at the longer ranges.
As to Naval Mail Clerks.
Gen. Elliott REFERS to the law authoriz-
ing the employment of enlisted men Of the
navy as naval mail clerks with additional
compensation as an unintentional dis
elimination against enlisted men Of the
Marine Corps.
/ He says it does not seem fair to the en-
listed men of the corps that they should
be deprived of the pecuniary benefits
which pertain to mail clerks and assistant
mail clerks. especially SO as they have al
ways performed duty In connection with
the mail in satisfactory manner and
without any increased remuneration. 1t
is, therefore, earnestly recommended that
the law be amended so as to permit en-
listed men of the Marine Corps to par
ticipate in the benefits of the mail serv-
ice.
Makes Request for Transport.
The commandant makes a strong rec
ommendatOn for the conversion of a ship
of the Dixie or Panther type into a trans
port for the sole and exclusive use of
the Marine Corps, said ship to be COM
manded and manned by officers and en-
listed men Of the navy, but fitted and
used solely as q transport. He represents
that the transportation of expeditionary
forces of marines on board battleships
and other ships of the navy Is a serious
drawback both to the ships and to the
marines. in view of the fact that most of
the ships have their full complement of
men on board and the surplus marines
placed thereon are In the way of the
regular complement: and, in addition to
this, the accommodations for the detach-
ment are inadequate and improper, and at
the same time the men are so widely
separated that the necessary organization
upon landing is difficult to make where
as if a ship of the Dixie type were set
aside for transport duty alone the men
could be moved at a moments notice;
they would be comfortable while on board
and the organization could be perfected;
all of which would tend materially to in
creased efficiency.
THE enlisted men Of the Marine Corps
says Gen. Elliott, ''have endured more
hardships during the last two years on
they would in an ordinary campaign on
shore of the same duration. This Is not
a complaint but statement of facts"
What Is the Marine Bandp
The question as to whether the Marine
Band is navy band, and therefore SUBJ
ject to the prohibition contained in the
| act making appropriations for the naval
| service for the fiscal year ending June
30. 1909, is now under consideration by
the Attorney General.
These headquarters" says Gen. Elliott,
''have strongly urged that the Marine
Band is a distinctive organization and
not a navy band, and it Is hoped that
the Attorney General will concur In this
view, because of the fact that said pro-
| hibition would work serious injustice to
the members of the Marine Band. whose
pay is now below what it should be- and
was not in any way increased by recent
legislation, as was the pay of army and
navy bands generally. In fact, every en-
listed man of the three branches of the
regular service received an Increase of
pay except the members of the Marine
Band.
Receives American Ambassador.