The San Francisco call., 1908-08-23
INSPECTOR SCORES
OFFICERS OF GUARD
Major Wilhelm Declares Meth
ods of Furnishing Transporta-
ton Were Objectionable
Order Limiting Decorations to
Men in Full Dress Causes
Dissatisfaction

That some of those who are in con-
troll of the national guard of the state
have much to learn is apparent from
the following excerpt from the report
of the inspector for the state and the
war department. Major Wilhelm, U. S A.,
retired. In dwelling upon the camp
of 1907 he says:
"All arrangements connected with the
reception OF the national guard organ
izations, their assignment TO duty, the
sanitary arrangement of camp grounds
and matters pertaining to administra-
tive routine, discipline and sanitation
were in charge of the post commanders
IN the artillery district of San Fran
cisco and San Diego. respectively, and
We're well carried out.
The methods pursued of furnishing
transportation direct to company com
manders developed some Objectionable
features and was attended with some
confusion in a number of instances, as
transportation in excess of what was
required was furnished some organiza-
tions, while none whatever was sup
piled to others. 1t is suggested that
simpler and more satisfactory method
would be that adopted and successfully
carried out in connection with the joint
maneuvers at Atascadero in 1904, when
the regimental quartermasters were
furnished with transportation requests
sufficient for the use of their respective
regiments. These officers could be
held responsible for this transportation
as they are under bonds to the state"
It is probable that in view of this
criticism the regimental quartermaster
will be instructed to become cognizant
of the needs for their respective regi-
ments and secure only the transport
tation that is required.
MEDALS CANNOT BE WORN
recent order of the upper Office
on the lines of a regulation of the
United States army is affecting the
members of the guard who are proud
of medals they have received. but have
not an opportunity TO display them.
The order provides that decoration
shall be worn on full dress uniform
coats only. AS the file of the guard is
not provided with full dress uniform,
they will not be allowed to display
their medals. and thereat there is much
disappointment. They however, are
permitted to wear on such uniforms as
they have a piece of ribbon to which
the decoration is attached.
Major Francis V. Keesling, inpector,
Second brigade, visited Bakersfield last
week and inspected Company L of the
Second regiment. infantry, TO discover
In what shape it was to go to Atlas
cadero next October. The inspection
lasted two hours and at the close the
major, in addressing the company, said:
The personnel of this company is as
good rs that of any company in the
state and I feel confident that you will
not have any trouble in holding your
own under command of Captain Dun
can, when you take part In the maneu-
vers.'
After the inspection by Major Will
helm this year, for the war department
and state, the company was not UP to
standard, so there had to be a second
inspection The major in his report of
this company said: This company is
available for emergency and is made up
of a good class of men, but on ac-
count of having fallen below reason
able efficiency the company is recon-
mended TO be again inspected at an
early day.
PLANS FOR MANEUyERS
The Fifth infantry. when ready to
start for the camp of joint maneuvers
at Atascadero, will leave by train on
the afternoon preceding the assembly
at camp. Companies A and T of Oak
land and G of Alameda will assemble
in Oakland: C of Petaluma, D of San
Rafael. e of Santa Rosa, II, K, l. and
NJ of San Francisco at the Oakland
mole; / at Livermore and at San Jose.
A special train will start with mobilized
companies at the MOLE take on the
three companies at Oakland, the one
at Livermore and the one at San Jose
and then proceed for San Luis Obispo
county.
C. A. Folrath, elected first lieutenant
of Company G. Fifth infantry, located
at Alameda, has passed a satisfactory
examination before the regimental
board and will be recommended for
commission.
George W. Keene, who was elected
second lieutenant of Company K, Fifth