The San Francisco call., 1908-11-15
GOVERNOR PRAISES
STATE MIL|TIAMEN
GiIIett Compliments Officers and
Men on CreditabIe Showing
at Camp Atascadero
National Guardsnien Complain
of SIowness of Authorities in
Supplying Equipment

Z
izations, writing of the camp at Atas-
cadero; says. among other nice things:
mo specific breach OF discipline
worth consideration was observed or
reported, end the reputation of the
members of the guard for good con-
duct and other soidierlx attributes,
While under military restraint, was
maintained throughout the encampnaent
period.
I'm fact. the very ereditabIe showing
made by officers and enlisted men OF
the national guard OF California is
worthy the praise of every citizen OF
the state. and 1t is hoped that this
very important branch Of the state
government Will receive from our peo-
PIE the attention and encouragement
it so much deserves
There is complaint in the guard
throughout the state about the slowness
of the authorities in providing the
means by which the men of the several
organizations may become proficient in
the use of the arms furnished them for
target practice. They are furnished
with arms that they know but little
about are given so many rounds Of am
munition, but are not provided with
targets properly equipped and dis
tanced. Many of the companies, wish
ing TO discover the good shots in their
respective membership, arc forced. at
their own expense for the benefit Of
the state, to travel many miles to find
an indifrerentIy equipped range at
which to practice.
Major Thomas Wilhelm. u. s. \. Gre
tired, the Inspector for the guard, re-
Gently said on the subject of target
practice:
The scope of instruction as to target
practice, particularly in the initial
firing. is by no means sufficient. The
position at aiming exercises. as we'll
as gallery practice, is. to "a great eX-
tent, neglected. The stale appropria-
tion for target practice is insufficient
for present needs (the amount is for
target practice, the purchase of medals,
used also in part for purchase of am
munition and decoration, for small
arms practice and for 10. Is and 20
wears active service--s1o, 600 a year,.
IT is. therefore, recommended that more
liberal appropriations be made for this
purpose in order that all ranges may
issues of ammunition can be made for
this most important duty.
NEW POWER FOR GOVERNOR
1t is the purpose and intention to
include in the proposed revision of the
state military laws a provision vesting
the governor with authority to change
the organization of the national guard
| in any and all respects to correspond
with whatever changes may be neces-
sary to conform TO the organization
of the army, and also to make such
changes from time to time as may be
required by the war department This
WILL of course. include target practice.
Orders from the war department
show that in the recent past 13 off,
GERS of the national guard of various
states have been authorized to attend
and pursue a course of instruction at
various garrison schools in order that
they may perfect themselves for serv-
ice in case of necessity The orders
do not contain the names of any one
from California. The places repre-
sented are: District of Columbia Ne
braska. Maine. West Virginia. Georgia.
Michigan and Minnesota. Possibly the
officers of the guard of this state are
so far advanced that they do not need
any instruction.
correspondent asks the amount of
the state appropriation in California
for the national guard. The answer is
that such appropriation is made every
two years by the legislature. Phe
amount for the two years ending June
so, 1909. was s375.100. out OF which is
paid the salary of the adjutant general.
$4,000, assistant adjutant general
$4,000; chief clerk. $4,000: three clerks,
$4,000: stenogra pher. s2,400; armorer
and porter, o.. 400; postage, expressage.
telegraphing. adjutant generals Office.
care of state armory, cleaning and
transportation Of arms. travelling and
contingent expenses OF the adjutant
general, $4,000, making a total of ex-
penses in the adjutants office out OF
the appropriation of $4,000 for the
two years.
COLONEL SMITH A CANDIDATE
1t is reported that Colonel d A.
Smith, commanding the Fifth infantry.
who has rendered efficient service in
the past as assistant to the inspecting
officer on his tour of annual muster and
inspection. is a candidate for detail for
that position during the next muster
and inspection. The pay to one of the
rank of colonel when detailed for such
duty is $333.S3 a month for about four
months while that of the chief in
specting officer. retired major of the
regular army. is $3.50 month.
Major Josiah r. Howell has passed
successful examination before the
examining board as to qualifications
for the position of colonel and assist
ant adjutant general for the Second
brigade and will soon enter upon the
discharge OF his duties--that is, as soon
as he receives his commission from
the upper office.
Lieutenant Fl. G. McKanny has also
passed perfect examination before
the DOdTO LOT the pOSlLlOn OF d0JQIdnL
of the third battalion of the Fifth in
fantry Major Fl. G. Mathewson COM
mandine. Lieutenant Mckanny never
having .'thrun down any one in the
regiment was accepted for the posi-
tion he is to fill when he fully qualities.
Company ] of the Fifth infantry,
Captain Earl j. InInan commanding, is
to give a grand ball in Livermore on
the night of November o5. All the on
GERS of the regiment have been in
..t.d to attend.
The arrangements that have been
made for the grand ball to be given by
Company A Captain Leon G.. Francis,
in Maple hall, Oakland, on Thanks
giving eve. Indicate that 1t will be the
SWEETEST affair. in military way, that
has ever been given in the city of the
oa ks.
The officers of the Third battalion
of the Fifth infantry have been noti-
fled 10 attend meeting to be held
November 20. on which occasion Major
Mathewson will deliver q lecture on
Military Law.
FRESNO COMPANY DRILLS
Company c. located at Fresno, Sec
ond infantry. at its last meeting had