Manchester Democrat., 1909-06-16
NATIONAL GUARD ADVANTAGES.
Volunteer Army Men Receive Many
Benefits.

Benefits.
The general public fail to realiz'
tie immeasurable benefits derived b!
the thc-sdnds of men enlisted in var
4 n..s companies of National guard
throughout the United States, ant
criticism often marks the ordinar.
course of conversation as 1t relate!
I to the men who have given certain
portion of their time to the service
of the government in preparing fol
war during the years of peace.
It is interesting to know that the
federal government includes i'll Its
beneficent appropriations the sum oi
nearly three thousand dollars fol-
Company d. The rental of the arm
ory means an annual expenditure OF
$3.50, while more than two hundred
dollars worth of ammunition is used
by the expert riflemen, sharpshootere
1narksmen and four under-classes oi
men who make up the membership OF
the local company. Besides these
two items are included the furnish
ing of uniforms, two suits being al
lowed each man., and the distribution
of equipment such as is used by reg
ulars and considered the most ap'
proved and latest designs in rifles
and side arms.
The indoor rifle practice of Com
pany D is most commendatory, and
has received complimentary notice
from Capt. E. S. Giest, assistant in
spector of small arms, who has been
inspecting and instructing the rifle
squads during the past week. Capt.
.Giest ranks as a commissioned Off
&C, in the 53rd regiment, and is a
veteran of the Spanish-American war.
His home is in Waterloo, and on stat
ed times make tour of the sta.e,
visiting the AS companies, suggest
ing and helping in the work of mark
fmanship, which is considered by the
government MS one of the most i'm
portant assets in army affairs. Com
pany d has esfal.lished a rifle range
just west of the liver, about a half
mile north of the 'Mattox brick kiln,
where the members are trained in
long range shooting and skirmish tao
tics. The guns used are fitted with
adjustable sights, and are powerful.
enough to send bullet more than
a thousand yards, and the accuracy
of the marksman oftentimes result in
the making of perfect scores. A
deep pit contains a movable target,
and in this pit is stationed a man
who marks each shot made, advising
the soldier of the result by means of
a range telephone, which has bean
Installed on the range. No small in.
terest is taken in this outdoor prac
tice. and the expert shots among the
members of the company have made
excellent records at state meets.
1t must be remembered !, that
through the earnest endeavors of the
National Guard of the United States,
the respect of the regular army has
been earned as well as the beet
wishes and in many cases financial
support from private citizens who
recognize the worth of the Guard
and the great benefit the country is
receiving from it. Professional men
in many instances are commissioned
,officers, who are elected by the COM
pany to their positions and given
commission by the war department.
Their salaries are the same as those
paid to regular army officers during
encampment and active service. They
appreciate the necessity of bettering
the conditions which have formerly
icording the statistics and inter-
existed in the Guard and today, ac-
views received from time to time
by those who are acquainted with
army matters, the Guard is recogniz-
ed as mighty power in the country.
Company D was organized five
years ago, and although the full quo
ia of 10S has not been realized, still
tile effective work of the company
enables the officers and men to feel
flattered and well satisfied with
their efforts. Army details are many,
and the science of war is not learn
ed in day or in a year. Constant
study only prepares a man for
such service, and it is fortunate that
a large proportion of the men in
Company d acknowledge this condi-
tion and are steadily striving for
that degree of perfection that dis
tinguishes soldier in the army of
the United States.