The San Francisco call., 1908-12-06
GUARDSMEN MUST
CARE FOR PROPERTY
War Department Demands That
Muddy Boots Be Kept
Off Tentage.
Major Wilhelm Will Make {
Thorough Inspection of
State Troops

The subject of interior economy will
occupy the attention OF Major Thomas
Wilhelm, U. S. A., retired, inspector
for the war department and for the
state, during the inspections to be made
dnring the first three months of next
year. Now that the war department
is furnishing much of the equipment
for the guard in the several states it
wants a strict account of how the pub
lie property is being cared for.
Major Wilhelm in discussing this
matter said: There has been much
carelessness IN many instances in re-
lation to property. Tents are thrown
in any old corner and in any old way
In the armory, and the tentage is used
as foot rests for muddy boots and fire.
quently it is used In place of spittoons.
There is no excuse for this and here
after those who are responsible for
public property will be held to strict
accountability, not only for the mate
rial on hand. but for its care"
Major Wilhelm will commence the
annual inspection early next month,
and on his tour will be accompanied
mater. aide de camp. Second brigade.
MUST KEEP UP ATTENDANCE
In view of the Inquiries from the
war department as to the attendance
at inspection and muster, instruction
relative to that matter is that any or
ganization having less than rs per cent
of the membership present at the ap-
preaching inspection will be recon-
mended by the adjutant general to the
governor for muster out of service.
Any organization whose general aver
I,o1 y 41ar,
75 per cent will either be mustered out
or reinspected to determine whether or
not it shall be retained. This means
that the future existence of every or
ganization Will depend upon the show
ing made next year and the inspection
will be nearer the regular army method
than ever before in this state.
There Will be a new rating as to tar
get practice based first on the number
of officers and men who have qualified
as experts on the gallery range, and
second upon the scores made over the
outdoor ranges during the current year.
RECRUITS LACK INSTRUCTION
The attention of the adjutant gem
eral has been called by the war depart
ment to reports made by army officers
that many of the enlisted men of the
national guard who were in attend
ance in the recent field maneuvers were
H1lHONb adequate lISLTuc-
tion in elementary parts for the re-
cruit, and the secretary of war says:
1T is considered profitless and an un-
necessary expense to the state and the
United States to have men participate
in coast defense exercises or other field
maneuyers who have not received some
previous instruction in the home ar
mories in the school Of the soldier,
small arms firing regulations and
manual of guard duty"
1t was the rule that recruits were
accepted in companies up to within
80 days previous to. an encampment
such as have been held in recent years
with the regular army. A recent order
from the war Office makes a marked
change in this matter The officers of
the regular army who make the muster
of national guard companies are to
report for pay only such as have been
bona fide members of an organization
six months previous to an encamp-
ment.
NEW RULE FOR DRILLS
new rule with reference to drill
Ing companies in the Third battalion of
the Fifth infantry, located in this city,
Will go into effect with the first meet