Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-22
Plans for a Volunteer Army.

The general staff of the army has pre-
pared a bill ito provide for raising a
volunteer army of the United States in
time of actual or threatened war;" which
will be introduced at the coming session
Of Congress. 1t provides that in time
of war the army shall consist Of three
parts, the regular army, the National
| Guard and the volunteer army. The vol
| unteer army Is to be maintained only
| during war, or when war is imminent,
and shall be raised only when Congress
shall authorize 1T and shall be discharged
as soon as possible after the emergency
| is passed When the President calls for
| the volunteers the Secretary of War
shall prescribe rules and regulations
for their examination. organization and
enlistment. they to be taken from the
states and the District of Columbia. as
| far as practicable, in proportion to popu-
| lation.
| The volunteers shall be governed by
| the same rules and be organized in the
same method as the regular army-into
| brigadeS. divisions. army corps and sep
aratc armies. the President to vary the
composition of the several units accord
| ing to his discretion. Each regiment
shall have four surgeons and a hospital
corps of twelve: each battalion of engi-
neers and of field artillery two surgeons
and a hospital corps of eight. Every
twelve companies of field artillery shall
be counted as a regiment in this dis
tribution and each four companies as a
battalion
A chaplain shall be appointed for each
volunteer regiment and each twelve
companies of coast artillery. a sufficient
number of men for the hospital and
signal corps the Quartermas ter's depart
ment and the subsistence department,
and trained nurses. male and female, at
the discretion of the President.
Khaki Helmet Advocated.
The adoption of khaki helmet of a
military pattern for garrison wear in the
tropics is recommended by Gen. A. L.
Mills. commanding the Department of
Luzon, as step conducive to the health
and comfort of the troops. The present
cap affords protection from the sun
and the campaign hat, in the opinion of
many officers. is unSuited for garrison
wear. being unduly hot and lacking proper
ventilation. That hat would be greatly
improved for wear in these islands. 1t
Is declared. if ventilatory band one
quarter of an inch thick was placed inside
a the brow band to admit the circulation
of air around the head According to the
plan the crown of the hat which should
be worn in peak form to shed water, should
be one inch higher, with good ventilators
on the sides. The adoption of a helmet
and the change suggested in the cam
paign hat would, it is commended. prevent
headaches and slight attacks of heat
strokes now common, especially in the
hot season.
Another Chance for Civilians.
The President has approved regulations
to govern special examination of ap-
plicants from civil life for appointment
as second lieutenants in the Coast Artil-
lery Corps. Existing vacancies In that
corps will be filled from civil life after
competitive examination. preliminary
examination will be held February :
next at posts near the homes of the
candidates and a competitive mental ex-
animation will be held at later date.
Appointments will be based on the results
merit.
Disadvantage of Being on Leave.
The War Department has decided that
the widow or designated beneficiary of
an officer or enlisted man of the active
list of the army who dies Of disability
incurred while on leave of absence or on
furlough is not entitled to the six months
approved May II. 1908, the deceased not
having been lin line of duty" within the
meaning of the act specified, at the time
the disability was incurred.
Requirements of Military Mounts.
According to decision made by Gen.
Bell, chief of staff. officers required to be
mounted and who are furnishing their
| own mounts for In the government
| service are authorized to draw the addi-
| tional pay and have their mounts main
tanned at government expense only in
cases where the officer has provided him