The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-11
ARTILLERY GETS
INCREASED FUND.
Appropriation for Year Is
Doubled by State Military,
Board.
OFFICERS ADVANCE PLEA
Money to Be Used for Hire OF
Horses for Drills and
Care of Ordnance.

=
Winning at last their long fight fol
an increased appropriation for the care
of the valuable military property con
signed 20 their care by the United
States government the three batteries
of field artillery In this State were
last night given the sum of $4,000 each
for the present fiscal year. This action
followed an urgent presentation of the
case OF the artillery branch of the
service by Major T. NJ wortham, com
mander of the battalion, and by Captain
William M. Myers. of the Richmond
Howitzers.
The disposition of this matter took
up so much of the time of the board
that the general apportionment of the
military fund for the year was not
reached. nor were amy of the other
important matters which were to have
been considered. The board adjourned
to meet on November %. when the dis
tribution of funds Will DO gone into.
Application of the proposed naval re-
serve corps for recognition, the State
rifle range. and all other important
affairs went over.
Wanted LAW.
The contention of the artillery for
an allowance of twice their former
appropriation has been prolonged. 1t
was carried last winter into the halls
of the state Legislature. where Edwin
p. Cox, member from Richmond. in
troduced bill requiring that $4,000
be given to each battery for the care
IL
of the personnel With this was a
companion DILL giving the artillery
branch of the Virginia service repre-
sentation on the State Military oBard.
Both of these measures met with a
great deal of opposition, Mr.. Cox being
compelled to take an unfavorable re-
port from the committee and losing in
his efforts to get vote on the floor of
the House.
At the time objection was made be-
cause the matter had not gone through
regular military channels, and 1t was
regarded by some of those appearing
before the committees as improper to
make such an effort unless fostered
by the higher military sources.
Last nights successful appeal was,
of course. entirely regular. Major
Wortham is the principal artillery DIN
Ger in the State, and he made his re-
quest TO his direct superiors. the mem
beers of the board. All these members
We're present: Governor Mann. Adju-
tant-General w. W. Sale, Brigadier-
General C. C.. Vaughan, Jr., Secretary
of the Commonwealth 3. o. James. and
Lieutenant-Colonel 10 Lane Stern, as
sistant inspector general.
Costs Money.
In their addresses Major WORKMAN
az ga as, NJ NYvo nfs ~
the proposition that the cost of main
tanning the equipment of an artillery
command is greatly in excess of that Of
company of infantry. The ordnance
furnished by the War Department is
worth approximately 100000 in each
battery, and it is absolutely necessary
to have the constant services of an ex-
pert mechanic to care for it. It was
stated that in New York the amount
allowed to a battery is ten times that
asked for in Virginia.
Proceeding with his argument, Cap
tain Myers said that he wanted the ad-
ditonal amount largely for the hire OF
horses for field drills. The pointed out
that the battery is hampered because
1t can drill satisfactorily nowhere save
in the armory, and it has no money
whcrewth to have its equipment haul
men might have real experience. He did
not want 1t, he said, for dress parade
purposes, but to make his men more
expert in their duties and to fit them
for real service when the occasion de-
hands.
Praises Command.
Captain Myers, who is always proud
of his men, spoke of the high standard
maintained by the Richmond Howitzers.
and so far as he knew, of the Norfolk
Light Artillery Blues and Grimes Bat
terry of Portsmouth. He denominated
1T a higher branch of the military SER
vice.
AS to the money. he thought the
State could we'll afford it. The new
realty assessment the new corpora
ton assessment, with general increase
of taxable values, would all contribute
to swell the military fund. Further, he
said, that as the resources Increased
with the coming years, he expects to
ask for still more money, to maintain
the artillery in the standing which it
should rightfully occupy in the mill
tary service of the Commonwealth.
Evidently the disposition of the
military board was to accede to the re-
quest, for, after considerable discussion
In executive session, they did it, and
the artillery officers went to their
homes rejoicing.
Get National Funds.
The resolution which was adopted
sets forth that the sum of $4,000 is
appropriated for one year to saih OF
the three batteries of field artillery in
the State. for the purpose OF promoting
field drills, for the hire of expert me-
chanics, for the care Of ordnance, and
for the preservation of other property.
This money Is to be paid out Of the
funds furnished by the United States.
IL possible, and is to be expended at
the discretion of the Adjut&nt- General
IT Is hoped that this is one Of the pur.
poses for which the War Departments
quota can be spent
One year was all that Captain Myers
asked. He said that unless he could
demonstrate the good use he would
make of the money in that time he
would not ask for its continuance.
!, 1t is presumed that portion of the
fund will be used for the pay of bat
terry quRrtermaster- sergeant. These
officers are paid salaries in the infan-
try service, but heretofore the Howit-
zers have been meeting this expense
from their own funds.
Outside Of the allowance or accounts,
4 he only other businesS tropsa ctad Ia at