Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-03-01
Militia THE STATE
OCCUPIES IMPORTANT
POSITION IN DEFENSE

ayss
that the majority party in the house
are en6eavonng to make an economy
record before the nation, and 1t is
thought that they may endeavor to
call a caucus upon this bill and if this
is done 1t is not sure that the caucus
would indorse IT. at this session. but
might endea7or 10 put it over and pass
It during the December session, after
the elections are over. The prospect
for the passage Of the bill in the SEN
ate is very bright, and I, as president
of this association, have a letter from
Senator McChmber from this state
assuring me that his opinion is that
the bill will pass the senate. ~.
The good work that has been done
in favor Of: this bill illustrates the
important results that may be at
tanned by united action, and almost
every officer in the organized militia
OF this stata has been active in cir.
culating petitions and creating senti.
ment in favor Of this legislation
Interest Of the War =.
49,
Witch reference to the supervision
which the division of militia affairs
Of the war department is exercising
over the organized militia. I desire
to call your attention to the fact
that when at Washington l was amaz.
ed at the activity and interest shown
by the division Of militia affairs. The
Office occupies the entire second story
in one Of the government buildings
and is given over to militia matters,
and as you know. It is under the sup.
ervision Of General Evans, than whom
I do not believe there is any better
qualified or more able officer in the
army, and who is q loyal and interes-
ted friend of the organized militia.
He is ably assisted by a competent
staff, one Of whom is Captain Kerth,
we'll known TO the members of this
organization, who served in the island
during the Philippine insurrectiom
Both OF these officers particularly
are continually looking upon matters
OF proposed legislation from the stand.
point Of the militia, and not from the
standpoint Of the regular establish
ment; and 1t should be known that
we have loyal and firm friends in
this department at Washington. r.,
4 l discovered that there on the wall
OF the department exists large map
OF the United States, in which are
placed pins representing the home
stations Of every militia company in
the United States. q These pins in
turn are eaclosed Id red twi1e, rep
resenting the organization of the com
panies into regiments. also found
that the department keeps accurate
and complete lists Of all the officers
and companies Of the different regi-
ments, and that On Ale are reports
OF the different inspecting officers
with reference to the individual off,
GERS OF the militia and the different
organizations of the same. So that in
case of need the department at any
time has on hand for immediate use
the necessary information showing
the efficiency of the different organ
izations and the ability and standing
Of the Individual officers; and this
fact particularly impressed me and
caused me to realize that the organ
ICED militia indeed occupies a new
and important place II the defensive
scheme Of this government and to
realize that these facts are but an
other and additional reason why we
should devote our utmost efforts to
promote the efficiency Of the organ
ization of which we are members.
x Maneuvd.s.
At one time early In the fall it look.
ed as though the war department in
an endeavor to reduce expense would
not recommend maneuvers for the
ensuing year; but thfS matter was
taken up by the different National
Guard organizations, and in con. ,
junction with the presidents Of other
associations, wrote the war depart.
ment calling attention to the great
benefit that the maneuvers give to the
organized militia. The makter was
also taken up by the different adju- !
tant generals, and az 9 result of the |
agitation that occurred the war de- !
partment included in III estimate for !:
the coming year an appropriation for
the maneuvers. This estimate was
Incorporated in the appropriation bill
which passed the house Of represen.
tatiyes during the present week. |!
This means that our regiment will, :
Il 1t 70 desires, participate in one
81 the maneuvers camps during the
coming summer. !
The importance Of these camps
cam not be over-estimated, both from
the stand point of the benefit derived 4
BY the members attending and from
the standpoint Of arousing interest
IN the regiment !:
Representation At the Il
5s, National Convention
At the last annual convention, held
~ Bismarck, 1t was voted a. the sense
n the meeting that the ad5utant gen