Evening star., 1909-04-18

jutant general, District Of Co
IL lumbia Militia, was away from
this city Thursday, Friday and
yesterday on the horseback test ride OF
ninety miles required of officers OF the
army above the grade of captain. When
he resumes his duties at militia head
quarters tomorrow the concluding steps
will be taken in connection with plans
to reorganize the National Guard of the
District of Columbia under the provisions
of the act of February 1s last
Gen. Harries having practically decided
just what shall be done. 1t is among
the probabilities that the regulations to
be promulgated by the War Department
and a statement of just how the staff de-
partments are to be organized, as well
as nominations to staff positions. will be
announced by the end of this week.
X
The decision has been reached that
selves exclusively to the duties of their
respective positions. For instance, duty
with rifle teams will be performed by Of
ficers of the department Of small arms
practice only. A paymaster will be pay
master all the time, not performing duty
with a team competing in the national
match In Ohio at a time when his sery-
ices as a paymaster might be needed
here.
1t is explained at headquarters that
there is no intention of organizing for
several years to come the troop OF cayal-
ry authorized by the new law. When
an armory building. with stable facilities,
is a reality, then. but not until then. will
any thought be given to the formation OF
troop.
One point on which emphasis is laid is
that officers of the line to be commits
stoned in connection with the reorganiza-
tion must pass examinations that are
likely to be severe, the subjects discussed
including familiarity with the general or
ders issued during the life of their pres
ent commissions.
There is TO be no attempt to appoint to
the line any officer from the outside.
Although promotion by seniority may not
he compulsory until after the reorganiza-
ton is completed. the spirit of the law
will be recognized from the start and
seniority after examination, will count in
the making Of promotions.
Robert L. Faris chief OF division coast
and geodetie survey, has been nominated
for commission as lieutenant commander
and executive officer OF the Naval Bat
talon. Mr.. Farls is personally well
known TO Commander Stratton and to
the commanding general. and is regarded
as unusually well equipped to fulfill the
duties OF the Office for which selected,
much of his training having been on the
waters of rivers and along the coast, the
field the Naval Battalion covers.
or far more than ordinary Importance,
especially to the enlisted men of the
Guard, is a general order just issued.
Sufficient copies were printed to supply
every member of the command Organ
ization commanders are directed to fur
nish each of their men with copy, TAX
ing receipt therefor
The order sets forth that there exists
In this brigade a certain amount of lax
ness in the performance of military duty.
This is generally more the result of care
lessness. and possibly of misconception
of the obligations of members of the Ma
tional Guard. than deliberate and will
full disobedience of orders
Heretofore there has been a lack Of
authority on the part OF commanding
officers to enforce military discipline.
This has now been changed by law, and
as will be pointed out hereinafter. the
military courts have been given full
power to impose punishments within the
limits fixed by law.
This change in the law involves such
a radical departure from former methods
of enforcing discipline that II seems bu,
fair TO ALI who by their oath. have as
sumed obligations as members OF the Ma
tfonal Guard and are subject TO the pen
alties imposed by the statute for theiI
violation. that their duty should be clearly
pointed out and fair warning given o1
what may be the consequences or theil
failure to live up to their voluntarily as
sumed obligations. For this reason the
following is stated for the information ol
all concerned:
''Joinin gthe National Guard of the Dis
trict of Columbia is voluntary act. and
every man when he enlists takes an oath
TO bear true faith and allegiance to the
United States. To support the Constitu-
tlon thereof. to obey all laws and resula-
tions for the government Of the militia
of the District of Columbia and the orders
OF all officers appointed over him. After
he has OF his own free will taken this
oath. he should live up TO il to the bes
of his ability. Failure TO do so leaves
him liable TO the prescribed penalties.
The National Guard is organized fol