The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-04-21

manner. However. l was very high
ly pleased with Capt Foley's method
of laying out the blanket roll drill and
the uniform manner in which it was
done. I think the Houghton company
has it over any Of the others in this
feature.
Although I gave the Houghton
company the highest rank in the con-
dition of the arms, there were two
other companies in lower Michigan
which I acknowledge had a shade the
better of the Houghton company in
this respect. But I have many times
inspected companies in other states
and in none Of the others have found
any to compare with Michigan"
The percentage OF attendance of
the company was very good. The CAL
umet Engineers and the Houghton In
fantry are about alike in enrolment
and are the two largest companies
have inspected on this tour. Another
thing that pleased me very much was
the good morale Of the members of the
company They all seemed eager to
please in and out Of drill. their be-
havior in the armory was excellent
and the general intelligence Of the men
and their strict attention 20 duty is
praisewOrthy. I would like very
much to drill with such a company"
1T is a pity continued Major Dur
fee, that the men are not given more
pay for the work they do. 1t is evil
dent TO everyone familiar with the reg
ulations of the militia that the men
have in the past sacrificed a great deal
for very little and highly inadequate
pay. But this condition is changing
and the men viii soon be better paid. |
i do not know how soon IL will come
but ! think that the militia will be re- |
ceiving higher pay within twelve !
months. The government is beginning
to realize what the militia means to |
the country and are doing all that is
possible to give the men the best |
treatment possible"
Major Durfee was asked about the |
Mexican situation. II really know /
nothing more about this matter than
the general public" he said What /
and all other army officers know we
earn from the Associated Press dis
patches and It is only those officers
who are farthest on the inside who
know the meaning Of the gathering Of
The army on the Mexican border. But
c is evident 10 anyone at all familiar
With military procedure that President
Taft had some good reason for send
ng an armed force TO the border. II
7as not simply TO train the soldiers
r army discipline or anything of the
ind. IL means that there Is some
rave danger 20 the United states
hat caused the mobilization Of the ar
ny. but what this danger is is known
y only select few and must be kept
ecret for diplomatic purposes. How
yer, the situation on the Mexican
rontier at present is very grave and
here Is a growing probability that the
'nited states will intervene TO stop
he strife
There is one thing would wish 10
ave you impress on the people OF the
Upper country" concluded Major Dur
be-, "and that Is that the militia COM
anies need the backing Of the com
lunities IN which they are located.
his support need not necessarily be
the form Of money. More good will
O. done n the people In the commune
take an interest in the men OF the
ompany as soldiers. 10 is all very well
b have relatives and friends who take
ersonal interest in one particular
iember In the company but the thing
hat is needed is 10 have the commun-
" respect the mon and take n live
lterest In them as soldiers. As soon
the members OF the company un-
erstand that an added interest is
iken in them because Of the fact that
1ey are soldiers. they will improve
nd the company will steadily grow
irger and better in every way"
Major Durfee left last night for his
'mpany az Fort Brady, having com
eted his tour Of inspection.