Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-17
UNIFORM RANK.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

If you will compare the 1909 roster of
| the brigade with that of 1908. you will
| readily see that a general reorganiza-
| ton has taken place in nearly every
| department. notwithstanding the fact
| that it was necessary to practically
| reorganiZe every department in a very
short space of time. the organization of
these departments is more complete
| than ever before. as our 1909 roster will
| show. The work of reorganiZing was
| accomplished through the efforts of
regimental and battalion commanders
| who were in charge of these depart
| ments. 1t is true that there are some
| weak spots in our organization at the
present time, but the weak spots will
he materially strengthened during tho
| next year.
In addition to the large gain in the
| membership of the old companies, five
| new companies have been mustered in
| during the year, three of which were
| organized before June I, 1908, and have
| been mustered in since that date. This
| work was made possible through the
efforts of loyal Pythians. Several Pc
titions for new companies are in cir
culation and 1 believe the formation of,
at least. two more companies during
| the next six months is assured.
The roster of the list Regiment will
show that IA companies have been as
| signed to this regiment, while the ros-
| ter of the Sd Regiment will show that
II companies have been assigned to
| this regiment and, as our bylaws
provide that II companies shall con-
stitute a regiment. it would seem to
| me that it is necessary to take up the
| matter of reorganizing the I'd Regi-
| ment before there are more com
| pancs in the eastern section of the
State. but we should, at least, take
| the matter of forming battalion east
of Bangor under consideration at thi:;
time.
Matters pertaining to attending the
| biennial encampment, which is to be
| held at Milwaukee in 1910, should be
discussed
| l have been asked as to whether o.,
not the income of the Maine brigad"
| would warrant the continuance of the
| active work started. and my answer
| is this l believe that it will not be
necessary to raise the brigade tax in
order that the work started may be
continued during the next year.
| During the past year there have been
issued from brigade headquarters IA
General orders, II Special Orders and
three circulars. also 1000 Rosters, ne
cessitating quite a large expense for
printing and postage. There have al
so been an unusually large number of
letters sent out. Two brigade schools
have been held during the past year,
which necessitated the hiring of halls,
| etc. Much benefit was derived from
| these schools and l believe the money
was we'll expended. Notwithstanding
the extra expenses. we have kept with
in our income. The assistant adjutant
generals salary has been reduced from
5000 to $3.50 per year and rent of head
quarters from s36 to $12.
| I have stated that ! should be brief
and will not suggest further recon-
mepdations. leaving the entire legisla-
ton to the better judgment of those
present. who represent the companies
interested in the good and welfare of
the brigade. You have come direct
from the rank and file of the Sir
knights and you ought to know best
l
the general good. 1 will refer you to
the report of the assistant adjutant
adjutant general. Col. Brown. for the
financial standing and condition of the
brigade.
When Thursdays exercises shall have
ended, let us return to our homes
with renewed efforts to build up the
Organization of which we are justly
proud.
| I tender you and through you every
Sir Knight of the brigade my CRATE
full appreciation of the honor you have
conferred. the assistance you have
given me as your commander for the
past year, and hold myself in readiness
to do your bidding and to personally
cooperate with you in the future as
in the past for the general good and
welfare of the brigade.
Respectfully submitted.
| WALTER E. REID.