Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-20
A Report of Progress.


There has been issued from Wash.
ington a report of progress on the paf'
of those to whom has been assigned the
duty of bringing the National GUARDS
of the several states up to the require
ments of the so called Dick Bill of 1913
The Dick Bill originally provided a GER
tain standard at which the citizen sol
diery of the state was to receive fed
eral appropriations and prescribed
period Of five years in which to bring
about the changes necessary to con-
form with these requirements. AS the
Dick Bill was dated 1903 the five year
time limit expired in 1908. but it was
found that so few of the states could
meet the requirements in the period
first decided upon, that it was neces-
sary to grant an extension of time to
January q, 1910. The close of this pc
Rod approaches and the officers of the
War Department have been casting up
their accounts to see where the guard
will stand.
A thorough system of inspection of
militia by officers of the regular army
has enabled the War Department to
get accurate data as to the qualifica-
tions of the organizations. The system
has been in vogue several years. With
this information at hand the organi-
cations which are to continue to re-
ceive aid will be selected.
The statement recently issued is that
the War Department is pleased with
the progress made and with the
apparent success of the workings
of the bill. The year 1910 will find the
militia organizations. which remain
part of the National Guard, armed with
the latest pattern of military rifle,
clothed and equipped according to reg
uar army standards, and with ranks
filled according to the requirements of
the law.
The Improvement in conditions has
been general throughout the country,
but remarkably so in the South where
the military companies have heretofore
given a great deal of prominence to the
social and the club features at the eX-
pense of military training. The I'M
provement has been noticeable through
out the Northern states also, though
zaton did not exist. The State of Ne
vada is named as a notable weak spot,
which meets the requirements, but in
general the West is doing well.
These gratifying results have not
)een attained without a great deal Of
york, much of which has devolved upon
Col. e. NJ Weaver chief of the divi-
sion of military affairs. The task has
been one of great magnitude; has re-
luired not only great executive ability
)ut also a great deal of tact and dis
,retion for in some states the Guard
had a strong political side and in 9TH
ers there was great prejudice against
regular army supervision. In addition
here was the prejudice of the regulars
against the militia to be overcome.
Hard work along the several lines has
oornc fruit. The increase in the in
crest in the use of the rifle, brought
about through the activities of the Ma
-icnal Rifle Association; the procuring
Of new equipment; the holding of ma
in conjunction with the regular
army and the careful wedding out OF
Objectionable members has given the
country National Guard which is a
vast improvement over that of other
years. The Dick Law has enabled the
United States to provide itself with
efficient citizen soldiery.