Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-21

ing times of peace. the bureau of militia
affairs stated: ut was not the intention
of the department to prescribe the min
tmum number for organizations of the
militia while under state control. but
to require such minimum when called
into service OF the United States 1t is
understood, however, that in order to be
considered as conforming to the organiza-
ton of the regular army all of the units
must have the organization prescribed
for like units of the regular service, so
, far as regards the grades of rank, but
the fact that vacancies exist in any or
all of the grades temporarily does not
constitute a condition of non-conf ormity
in organization.
The following questions have been pre-
sented ny the adjutant general ,f a state
to the bureau of militia affairs;
In case the organized militia were to
be used in the federal service. would the
enlisted men thereof receive the benefits
of previous long and continuous service
as the enlisted men of the regular army,
sald previous service having been per-
formed in the organized militia?
III such previous service is to be of
benefit to the enlisted men of the organ
lied militia, must the regulations of the
state correspond to the regulations of the
United States as to the length of the term
of enlistment or re-enlistment and as to
the length of time elapsing between the
date OF discharge and date of re-enlist-
ment ,"
The adjutant general was informed as
follows:
The federal law providing for continu-
Gus service pay has reference only to such
service in the army. The militia, there
fore, II called into the service of the
United States would not receive continue
OTIS service pay for the period of their
previous service as organized militia
The negative answer to the above in
curry makes a categorical answer to- this
one unnecessary. 1t may be added. how
ever. that II is entirely competent for the
state militia regulations to provide for
continuous service pay under such condi-
lions as may be deemed proper, but the
pay status SO fixed would not govern or
apply in any way to the militia mustered
into the service Of the United States, or
when paid from federal funds for' service
at state or joint encampments."
X
1t is evident from communications re-
ceived by the division of militia affairs
that many of the adjutants general of the
states and territories are in doubt as to
tho status of company artiflcers of infan-
try, and that some have the idea that be-
cause such grade is not included in
those specified in the minimum require
ments for reception of militia OrganiZa-
tions into the United States service on
call of the President the grade OF
artificer has been abolished This Is an
erroneous conclusion. This grade is speci-
fed for each company Of infantry, but it
is optional with the states and territories
whether the grade shall be included in the
composition of companies of the organized
militia, and the absence of an artificer
from the organization prescribed for the
militia company of infantry will not con-
10 in, ir1a r,f
non-confOrmity to the organiza ton of a
like unit of the regular army.
In response to communication re-
ceived by the bureau of militia affairs
from the adjutant general of q state MAX
ing inquiry as to whether it would be
necessary to provide for each enlist ed
man the articles OF the field kit, the am
muntiOn and the field rations and emer-
gency rationS prescribed in order that the
organized militia OF the. state might be
considered as sufficiently armed, Uniform
ed and equipped for field service, he was
advised as follows:
The toilet articles enumerated in the
paragraph cited are necessary for the
comfort and cleanliness of the men and
should be carried by all who participate
In field service, but it is thought that they
should be provided either by the enlisted
men themselves or, If issued by the state
that they should be procured as a pur-
chase for cash under the provisions of
section Il of the militia law. these articles
not being considered as ones which should
be procured as charge against the fed
era funds.
In regard to the ammunition, the state
should see that each company has a Srffi-
cient quantity on hand to provide each
enlisted man OF the organization with
ninety rounds OF ball cartridges IN case
OF emergency but it is not essential that
the state should carry on hand the two
field rations and the one iron ration
while the War Department Is of the
| ,t,,t0 hot oil nf In fsNl1~ -
field kit. with the exception of the ra-
tions should be available for issue in
case an organization is called into active
service failure on the part of a state
to provide the articles will not constitute
such deficiency will operate to de-
prive the state OF it's share in apportion-
ment of the federal appropriations for the
support of the organized militia.
| "In regard to your request for informa-
ton as TO the model revolver, revolver
| holster and revolver cartridge belt which
| should be drawn for issue to non-com-
mssioned officers. l beg leave to advise
! YOU that the Colts revolver, caliber is
| model OF 1903. is the arm prescribed for
! issue TO the regular service. and this
arm with the holster and cartridge belt
provided therefor, should be procured for
issue to your troops.
| The contract for building the new bridge