Evening star., 1909-05-30
Tightening the Soldiers Load.

For years infantry officers have been
carrying on much discussion concerning
the weight which should be carried In the
personal equipment of the foot soldiers in
the field. That weight has gradually in
creased until it Is now about ~ per cent
of the weight of the man who carries 1t,
and OF this weight nearly fifty pounds Is
represented by arms and accouterments,
with twelve or thirteen pounds additional
i'll the way Of clothing. Ali sorts or sug-
gestions have been made in the hope that
some way of reducing the burden might
be found. The experts agree that the
soldiers load should be reduced TO the
! rifle, ammunition. canteen, one light
weight blanket, rations for three days,
and perhaps a light rain-proof shelter. 1t
Is maintained that the remainder of the
kit should be carried in the wagons and
distributed to the men as they need 1t.
If that can be accomplished the soldier
will be in a position to cover more
ground. 1t is the mobility of infantry
which makes for it's fighting efficiency.
The War Department has arranged for
some elaborate experiments and a thor
ough investigation of the subject. to be
conducted at the Rock Island Ull) ar
senal. where the plant will be placed at
the disposal of special board of infantry
officers of various grades. If the board
should desire some equipment manufac-
tured for its examination the plant at
posal. In addition. the War Department
has arranged to send to Rock Island a
battalion of infantry so that various sam
pies of equipment may be practically test
ed under war conditions. The board VIII
probably be In session several months, as
the subject cannot be easily disposed of.
II is probable that similar board will
he detailed later with a view to estaE-
fishing the personal equipment of the
cavalrymen and the enlisted men of the
field artillery.
Removal of Deck Structures.
Protests have been made by several
naval officers attached to the Atlantic
feet against he orders Issued some weeks
ago reducing the top hamper. which in
cludes various bridges, structures, ap-
paratus. etc. which have occupied posi-
tions on the upper deck and added ma
| terially to the weight carried by the YES
| sci. The decision to reduce the TOP
| hamper was reached only after much dis
cussion and pursuant to recommendations
made by officers who lave been insisting
that their advice should be taken on the
equipment of the ships which they were
to use.
Some OF the objections filed are against
the removal of the after bridges. and
others are against lessening the height
of the ventilators. on the ground that II
will Interfere with the circulation OF air
in the living spaces Of the ships Some
officers believe the emergency cabins
should be on deck. to be removed In time
of action. The department., however. will
adhere strictly 10 its decision and allow
nothing of a temporary character TO be
placed on the deck. The idea of the
fighting personnel has been to get rid OF
everything which in any way resembles
a target or would add to the opportunity
of an enemy to hit something. The OBJ
jections which have been made will be
filed for future action. No change will
be made In the present plans until the
ships have been tried out under their new
conditions. The removal of the top ham,
pers will cause great change in the ap-
pearance of the ships.