Daily Kennebec journal., 1910-09-29
New Equipment for The
}. Use Of Infantry.
The Maine Guard May Have Il
4, Within Two Years.
Maine Corporation Increases Cap
itaI and Changes Name.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting of Governor and Coun.
Gil Friday, Sept. 80, at 10 A. M.

One of the matters in which the
members Of the National Guard of the
State of Maine are interested is that
of the proposed change of the euuip-
ment Of the infantry men which has
after careful study by the Infantry
Equipment Board been recommended
by that body and approved by the War
Department. The principal objects of
the proposed change in the equipment
are to reduce the load of the infantry
man and to make the remaining load
easier To carry. The new equipment
is already being made in limited
quantity at the Rock Island arsenal,
and it is considered probable that a
general issue will be forthcoming
within a year or two. Speaking on
the subject of the new equipment the
Army and Navy Journal of Sept. "a
says;
"All of the recommendations of the
Infantry Equipment Board have been
approved by the War Department.
with the exception of those that have
been referred to the Cavalry Board for
concurrence. 1t is earnestly desired to
bring about the adoption of as much
OF the same equipment for both
branches of the service as possible
Among the more important items
which have been sent to the Cavalry
Board, which is now in session at
Rock Island, are the service hat. the
short overcoat or pea jacket, the
sweater. tine shelter tent. the uoncho.
the dispatch case, the insignia to be
placed on the service shirt. This part
of the equipment. it is thought, can be
used by both arms of the service.
1T IS stated that the General Staff
is very favorably impressed with the
work of the Infantry Board 1t is
thought that the board has inaugu-
rated d number of reforms in the
equipment which will greatly increase
the efficiency Of the army The fact
that the blanket roll has been dis
penScd with in the new cuuipment
meets with the most hearty approval
from the old campaigners who have
looked over the report of the board
Tie entire load Of the full equipment
Is placed on he back. and the arms of
the soldier are left free to handle his
gun. This allows d full expansion of
the chest and, in the opinion of Off
much to the health Of the enlisted
personnel. Incidentally. the general
appearance" of the army will be i'm
proved. Even with the full equipment
The front view of the soldier does not
SNOW any of the lead which he is car
ry'hs on his back. so that he can sleep
without much discomfort in full equip
mcnt
The sweater, which is to take the
pace o' the blouse in field service. is
not fashioned after the athletic sweat
erd which are in common use now in
oNlI llf" 1t is more like the jerseys
winch were worn a few years ago,
ana Will button up the front. with
bright buttons to be selected. The
handkerchief which is to be worn
around III" neck is to be Of olive drab
coior, and tWcnty-four to tWent eight
inches square. This article is to be
ISSUED largely at the suggestion of en-
h'tcd men. For some reason Il great
majority of enlisted men have . weak
ness for handkcrchic"s and tn" board
decided to adopt it out OF consideration
OF their demand for such neckwcar.
About the last thing t. b" approved
ny the War Department VA" the short
"V"rr"at or pea jackrt. V hiri is to take
the place of til" present ! ag over
s%"r. s ns A"|A au,,n,T a,n,,TAa '1,' :, Ii, is 'p" r"-
ceiv" the fi,nsI a,ffotaas,r li' depart
ment. 1t is Understood tina: there is
considerable OPP osition to this change
IN tn" cavalry Eoard. and il it should
refuse tc adopt il it is ,Ntremely
doubtful whether tn" InfantrE Board
Woul insist upon it,"
Announcement W%S mad" at the OF
nee of the state superintendent OF
Lli.. .r fAl