The Holbrook news., 1911-07-21

is to be Iessened by almost one-half The regulation 56 ID. is cut to 46 lb with everything on, and stripped for real work in the field the foot soldier will carry but 30 ID. now, thus fitting him the better for march Ing and fighting. When soldier goes Into a fight there are certain things which he must carry if he is going to be of any use to his country. These are, first of all, his weapons-rifie or revolver-and the proper ammunition, the first-aid packet, one intrenching tool, water-a thirsty soldier cannot hit a flock of barns-a mess kit, and then more ammunition. Nowadays 210 rounds are not considered any too much for the first dole of ammunition. What he does not need in a fight is his shelter-the "dog tent" overcoat, blanket, and poncho.
 Today the intrenching tool is re- garded as next in importance to the weapon. Each man carries either pick mattock, a shovel, or an axe. Certain men also have wire-clippers- With shovels a whole regiment can hide itself in little holes in thirty sec onds. and dead soldiers are no use to a government. The old days of standing up in the face of the bullets are gone now. The only time a sol dier shows himself to the enemy, if he can help it, Is in the final rush. Advances are not permitted until su- periority of fire is assured.
 But there are a score of marches to every skirmish, and the tabulated list gives the essential things that each infantryman must carry with him, all of which are distributed more or less evenly about his person.
 Here Is the tabulated list of the United States infantryman's kit: One rifle One intrenching tool One gun sling One haVersacK One bayonet One bacon can One bayonet scab- One condnnent can
 hard One meat can One cartridge belt One knife
 One hundred rounds One fork
 of ammunition One spoon
 One first-aid pack Toilet a-ucies
 age one pair socks' One frst-aid pouch woolen
 One canteen One haversack ra- Ooa canteen cover ton
 One ,,e c,,n One emergency ra- One intrenching tool ton
 Ana the mack which consists of: One nack-carrier One shelter half One fianket Five shelter tent One poncho pins
 carrier fv
 Scores of further suggestions from officers have been received by the limited States war department, which Ia resnonsible for this new departure, to make the soldier more efnclent III time of war. An ambulant kitchen A range on wheels which can COOK meal on the march-is one of the newest wrinkles proposed. Automo- piles for a mobile army are demanded now. The blanket has been cut to weigh ID. It is proposed to abolish the coat in the field and substitute sweater in its place.
 Other recommendations are that the sergeants carry no rifle in the field but have revolvers and bolos in- stead. Likewise the cooks are to be relieved of the rife and have revolver and bolo, thus enabling them to carry sufficient utensile to cook for the company when other transportation has been abandoned.
 It is proposed to do away with the old campaign hat and to substitute the mounted police hat, which has lower crown and a wider brim and is more comfortable. With 1t goes the individual "housewife.' The com pany will carry at kit for mending for the entire outfit. A neckerchief is to be made part of the uniform. Officers will not carry their sabres in the field, and tobacco and soap will be