The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-05-24
MILITARY
MATTERS
REGULAR INSTRUCTION FOR MI
LITIA-GRAFT ON ARMY TRANS
PoRTs-NEw SIGHTS.

Formal notice has been given to all
the adjutants general of the National
Guard throughout the country that If
it is desired that there shall be a
sergeant detailed from the Regular
Army to duty with a state organiza-
ton applications for such a detail
must be made before June 1. 1t is
the intention to give the sergeants
who are to be thus detailed special
instruction in their new duties and to
fit them as far as practicable for the
work that will be required of them. |
Already a large number of non-com- |
mlssioned officers have applied to be
detailed to this special duty, and it is
clear that it will not be hard matter
to secure some of the very best tai
ent to be had in the establishment.
No single step that has been taken
for the betterment of the National
Guard surpasses this in Importance,
and it is a very reasonable expec-
tation to hope for splendid results from
! it. The experience will be valuable
one for the sergeants thus detailed,
and they have an unexamp!ed oppor-
tunity to achieve results, says the Ar
my and Navy Journal.
DIVISION OF MILITIA AFFAIRS.
The price of the telescope sight for
the 1903 rifle is $41.50, but they are
only sufficient in number TO furnish
the Regular Army. The sight is in an
experimental stage and is to be thor
oughly tested before issued or sold to
the militia.
Expenditure for office desks and
furniture is not a legitimate charge
against the states allotment.
Militia officers above the grade OF
captain and ordnance officers are ELI
gible to membership on state rifle
teams in the National Match at Camp
Perry.
Expenses incident to either storage
or transportation Of supplies for tar
get ranges are not chargeabe to the
states allotment after beng delivered
and taken up on the returns.
TRANSPORTS ROASTED.
Says the Army and Navy Journal:
We would suggest tn Stanleigh Me-
gargee, described as son of NJ w.
Megargee, and formerly known as one
of the best horsemen and steeplechas-
ers in the country, now a cayalryman
in Troop I, 18th Cavalry" that it
would have been well to have address,
ed the criticisms of proceedings of an
Army transport made by him in a
private letter quoted from Philadel-
phina to someone in authority on the
transport. We do not doubt from
what we learn from other sources that
there is gambling on the transports,
and that pies are sold at high prices.
Nor have we any greater doubt that
the officers in charge make every eff
fort to prevent the gambling and the
extortion and confiscate whiskey when
they can find it. We should require
something more, however, than the
unsupported testimony of this ex-
horseman and steeplechaser TO believe
the statement credited to him that on
the transport Thomas, carrying Troop
l. 18th Cavalry, from San Francisco
to Manila, "the deck was cleared each
night, and a modern Monte Carlo
sprung up. Any game could be play
ed, and all were backed by the petty
officers of the ship. The games ran
from twilight until morning, and S1O,-
600 would be a reasonable estimate OF
the amount drawn in by the hackers.
Few of the games were straight" Mr..
Megargee further says 1.-THE ship's
baker sold pies at 70 cents apiece, the
ingredients of which were charged
against the soldiers general mess and
did not cost him a penny. AS high
as $500 is paid for positions on the
transports-if it is known that the
men are to be paid while on board.
The salary is only SIS or 500 for the
entire trip. The premium is the same
as gambler pays for protection to
the police, but he does not get near
the protection on an average which
Is given the faro dealer and monte
man on United States transport. The
soldier addicted to the use of morphine
buys it at a fancy price from the
Hospital Corps sergeant" But these
charges are made and there should
be no difficulty about ascertaining the
facts and holding to proper accoun-
liability anyone who may be found at
fault.