New-York tribune., 1909-05-22
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.
To Tighten Equipment Of Troops IN
Field.
From The Tribune Bureau

washington. May "a.
THE FOOT SOLDIERS BURDEN.-For years
infantry officers have beer carrying on much dis
Cussion concerning the weight which should be car
ried in the personal equipment Of the foot soldier
in the field. That weight has gradually increased
until IL is about % per cent of the weight Of
the man who carries it, and of this weight nearly
hfty pounds is represented by and accoutre-
rnants. with twelve thirteen pounds additional In
the way of clothing. All sorts of suggestions have
been made in the hope that soma way of reducing
the burden might be found. The experts agree that
the soldiers load should he reduced to the rifle.
ammunition, canteen. lightweight blanket,
retious three 4ays and perhaps light rain
proof shelter 1t is maintained that the remainder
Of the kit should he carried in the wagons and dis
frihued to the men as they need a. II this he
accomplished the soldier will he in position to
ground and IL Is the mobility OF in
fantry which makes for its hshting efficiency The
War Department has arranged fer some elaborate
experiments and thorough investigation OF the
subject ~ be conducted at the Rock Island arsenal
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 manu-
factured for its examination, the plant at Rock
Island will he placed at its disposal. In addition
the War Department has arranged to send 70 Rock
Island battalion OF infantry that various sam
pies of equipment may be practically tested under
conditions. The board will probably he In
session several months. the subject cannot be
easily disposed of. II is probable that similar
board will be detailed later with view 70 estso-
fishing the personal equipment CT the cavalrymen
and the enlisted men OF the field artillery.
ORDERS IssCED.-The following orders have
been issued:
Mater PHANTOM wINSHIP, tuds advocate % Govern
Captain CARL = HARTMANN. signal corPss. 10 army
sp sga 6 sGoos F9E TEs s Hggo'' 4 y, ~
paratory 20 retirement
Waer Reed General HdspiiSi wa:hinsson 10 Fort
a3 sing cspaa SPAIN HAFRT TFSS9 L3 EYAaH ca
sc'ing aaarterrnaster. r.e1u. deoot Fort Logan.
Partmen' from Office chief ordnance Fert
captain HARRY LA 7 cAvENAUGH 10Th cavslrr rs-
cruiting officer. from Cleveland 10 Fort sloeum:
F4r-, Lieutenant MATHEW A REAsoNER. medical
Second % ssdat 5a 1SF' TM iiGi Y eIFk gS4pn.
1saTsr of absence Major EUGENE Q FEcEEr s,sn.l
e;,,L9 s2res Two months from July ;. Captain OTTO !
tenant JULIEN Z. GAUJoT. 1lth cavalry.
month; Captain WILLIAM P PLATT. ordnan:s d.
4 REAsoNER nnedIcal corps tTsnty-soar days
Heu,enant Commando J x. Robson to bureau Of
Lieutenant W v SMITH astaebsa saa Alabama; to the
Ensign ! P, GLIDING detached the Perfume to tha
EE3:iE5 FAEL H;E5ss 70 - the - ssssms sa,.2
EnsisH Z, SHIP, dstaehed the Rowan: TO 'he West
Mia.hipnasn ". a LEE. Jr,. detached the Idaho: to
ths severn
Mids6ipnen, J l. nKAuFFMAY sRd : 2; SMITH, Jr
Midshipmen = r. LEONARD, detached the Rowan: to
Miashirn,an T, z THOMSON Jr.. detached the Mont
mid!aipIssa plS.a i SoE49 asaehsa Vermont
Miashirnaan W. SMITH. detached the idaho; to the
PASSED. Assistant Surgeon ! H. PAYNE Jr, detached
Pa...S 4gsistan surgeon W J. zALEsKI detached
Passed nsva gsaa :s23 on Ex g = TO 9bR S3f the
Vermont; to Massaehuses,s nautical training ship
Chaplain 81 c GLEEsoN, detached the Connecticut to
CHAPLAIN 5nf Z 2 MpoNALD detached tbs Hancock; to
MARINE CORPS.
Major J. T MYERS. detached the West vr=ina' report
10 Commander chief Pacific feet as fleet marine
Captain 4 /. LEARY, 70 command marine detachment
,tair 'g tIFs BIsaoP Jr detached navy yard Ports
mouth 70 Philippines vic Army transport sailing from
m s&H 4iansSf TFanssso Jgas M Arsox TO recruiting duty st
Louis vice Captain I, z, BASKSfFo9 to naog Ny
ths New Hampshire OWEN, rr.naratory ors.r, 70 t,s
sa,oD9 Heuenan F. A. osTERMANN detached head
Leaves Of absence: captain J. G BRECKENRIpGE and
First Lieutepants 7 D. BARGER and II. T. NULTE.
month
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPs.-The following
movements Of vessels have been reported 10 the
Navy Department:
Nav 2o-The Bruus, At Bradford r the Mississippt
SAILED.
Nav fg--The Mavfower, Havana for Washington
MAY 2o-Ths Des Moines. from Guantanamo for Hamp-
Nav 2i-The tennessee, the Washington and the Cali
fornia from Townsend for Taeonis
collier Ajax ordered in reserve navy yard. Nor
Portsmouth, .