Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1910-06-03
RADICAL CHANGE OF
INFANTRY EQUIPMENT
Board Of Army Officers Recommend
Improved Equipment for
Mounted Soldiers.

A board of United States infantry
officers has been studying the ques-
tion OF improved equipment for dis
mounted soldiers. Should the recon-
mendations be approved this equip
ment will be adopted not only by the
infantry in the regular army but by
the national guard of the states. A
draft of the proposed changes has
been made and presented by Colonel
H. A. Greene, 10th U. s. Infantry,
who was president of the board which
studied conditions with view OF
ECONOMY and the reducing OF the
weight of the soldiers pack and add
ling to the facility of soldiers per-
|sonal movement. In the new equip
ment the board believes that 1t has
solved the problem.
The new pack save 10 pounds In
weight. 1t consists of a cylindrical
roll of canvas worn vertically on the
back and contains blanket, poncho,
Irations and other necessities. 1t is
so adjusted as to minimize the
weight and affixed to the body In
such fashion that by pulling a cord
all of the pack, except the food and
water, will drop to the ground. 1t
is left in a neat package, properly
numbered and easy to identify when
the soldier goes back for 1t.
There will be nothing dangling
from the soldiers sides as at present.
A new bayonet scabbard is provided
on the pack, new canteen set In a
cup, the intrenching tools will be on
the pack and the belt will not 60
around the waist as at present II
will be a webbing device and hang
down in front, sportsman style, CIV
ing the soldier easier access to the
ammunition and acting as counter
poise to the pack.
Instead of the saber for officers, II
Is recommended that only the revolv-
er be used
For the hat, one of better quality
than at present, with wider rim
lower crown worn with the Montana
peak, instead OF the present style AL
pine crease Is approved. Instead OF
leather or canvas leggings the board
recommends woolen strip legglngs.
The board would also do away
with the overcoat except for garri'
son purposes In Its place they de-
) sire to have adopted short coat oi
: pea Jacket similar to that now worn
by troops in Alaska. And instead oi
> wearing the present blouse, to equiI
a the soldier with a moderately heav,
= sweater. This equipment they claim
e would give the soldier better march
ing facilities.
Another new article recommended
t Is the adoption of a slipper or gym
; nasium shoe. The board would have
an extra kit carried In the escor
J. wagon. One for each squad OF cor
poral and seven men, This kit tt
a contain an extra blanket, pair o
shoes and slipper or gym shoe and
combination housewife.
The intrenching tool to still consis
of spade, pick matlock, bolo ant
wire cutter combined with pliers
but all fitted with insulated handles
The board wants an artificer's bo'
n made for each company, containing
a repair tools and oil, useful to repai
n minor damages to rifles.
q They would also change the pres
A ent field desk for smaller and light
er one; the one they recommend be
n ing about the size OF an ordinary suit
n case to be carried in the same way
a but so equipped that when opened
would stand on legs, have desk L
9 write on and place to carry papers
: reports. etc.
The board Is opposed TO the adop
"a ton of anything that has pockets o
/. pouches, claiming they collect dirt
;. They say that the most importan