Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-07-12


the Army ana Havy nsgiseeF
The War department will soon detail
army officers TO compose the board for
the revision OF the small-arms firing regu-
lauons. IL IL expected the board will
meet about the first Of September. In the
meantime, officers who have an opportun-
lily to observe the results Of the present
regulations have been asked to submit
criticisms and suggestions which may be
used In the preparation of the new edition
II IL expected that the information from
those quarters will cover every possible
phase of the situation. Some experts be-
lieve that the requirements are excessive
especially in the qualification of expert
marksman. but IL Il can be shown that the
regulations have improved the skill Of
marksmen 1t Is believed that it would be
unwise to make any material modifica-
tons.
Many army officers, especially those who
from the personnel Of the quartermaster's
department s?e DESTROYS that In the event
OF the creation of the supply corps fof
the army formed by the legislative con-
solidation of the ouartermaster's subslst-
ence and pay departments, the title Of
the staff branch shall retain the historic
designation OF "quartermasters corps In
stead OF supply corps, and ''quartermas-
teTs bureau instead Of supply bureau
as the designation OF the departmental
bureau. AS has been stated In these col
umns, the title has historical significance.
having been in use during the revelation
airy war. In addition to that fact, It is
regarded as more descriptive OF the func-
tons Of the proposed corps that It should
retain the allusion TO the quartermaster
branch. The word supply Is associated
with, and has q definite meaning in, COM
mercial usage and II Is also pointed out
that in the consolidation, proposed by Mr..
Hay bill, only two of the seven supply
departments Of the military establishment
are embraced in the consolidation.
The instructions Of President Taft to the
War department respecting the military
force In Texas contemplate the gradual
withdrawal OF troops Of the maneuver d.
vision. until the division is reduced TO the
extent described in these columns last
week. When the movement Of the Ninth
cavalry, Fourth field artillery and Thir-
teenth infantry has beeu completed, the
following organizations viii proceed to
their stations in the order named, as trans
portation becomes available: Fifteenth in
fantry to Fort Douglas, Utah; Eigh-
teenth infantry to Fort Mackenzie. wyo.
and Whipple Barracks, Ariz.: Companies
i, X and M of the engineer corps. to Fort
Leavenworth. Kan; Company Of the
signal corps to Fort Omaha, and Company
d OF the signal corps to Fort Leaven-
worth; Eleventh infantry to Fort d. A.
Russell, Wyo.: two battalons Of the Third
Al arNlI IL.
get practice. to Fort Myer. Va. Major
The board Of officers appointed some
time ago to meet at Fort Leavenworth,
Kan, for the purpose Of carrying out the
recommendations of committee Of the
general staff that its proposed revision OF
the infantry drill regulations be further
revised in connection with practical trials
before the final revision is published, has
completed its work. The board consisted
OF Lieutenant Colonel John F. Morrison.
general staff; Captain Merch B. Stewart,
Eighth infantry (major Porto RICO regi-
menU. and Captain Alfred w Bjornstad,
general staff. Instead OF revising the res
ulations prepared by the committee OF the
general staff, however, the board has prac-
tically rewritten them. The chief aim OF
the board in producing new drill regula-
tons for the foot soldier was to provide
for bringing infantry units into battle for
nation and for their control on the firing
line, and all that was possible that does
not pertain to this is eliminated. Accord
ingly, the parts which treat OF close order
formations are materially reduced and cor
respondingly more attention given to ex-
tended order. The edition of the regula-
lions now in use was gotten out IN 1904,
and II contains 1z pages which relate to
close order The new regulations require
only fifty pages for this subject. The
parts which relate to ceremonies are re-
duced from thirty pages to twelve. The
parts OF the new regulations which treat
Of extended order and combat have been
added to. so that the regulations will re-
quire a book OF 100 pages, but this is less
than the present 3O5-page book. One OF. the
important changes contemplated by the
new regulations Is an increase in the au-
thorized size of an infantry company from
los men to $50 enlisted men. It being an OBJ
ject to provide company OF this size.
which can be readily controlled on the fir
ing line by a captain. The company will
be divided into four platoons the two outer
ones to be commanded by the lieutenants
and the two inner ones by the first and
heCOnu SeNBeduls. Inc TeBuihuOn5 arc ol-
vided into five parts. Part one treats of
drill. including the mechanism of extended
order; part two OF combat part three OF
marches and camps; part four Of ceremo-
MES and Inspections. and part five Of man
uals including saber. tent pitching, bugle.
etc. Part one has been in use by the Sew
enteenth and Eighteenth regiments Of in
fantry for about two months. II the chief
OF staff approves the new regulations al
once Il is expected to have a supply OF
them ready for issue by August IS, in order
that they may be available for study by
officers OF the army and militia prepare
tory to commencement of work In the fall