Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-27

past, but the years work along these
lines has made it possible to meet the
new requirements"
The adjutant general in the section
of his report relating to pay for ar
mory drills declares that with the
funds available under present appro-
priations it is impossible to pay either
officers or enlisted men amounts COM
mensurate with the duty performed,
but under the new regulations the
compensation allowed is placed abso-
lutely at the disposition of the compa-
ny. This leaves each company To d.
vide its money as it sees fit on pro
rata basis with its own system of fines
for attendance or non performance
of duty, doing away with the system
OF arbitrary fines, which has admitted
ly proven a detriment to many com
panies.
Rifle Range Construction.
Much has been accomplished in rifle
range construction by the use of funds
allotted for that purpose by the Federal
government. New ranges have been
constructed for the infantry companies
at Pittsfield and Bangor and the Coast
artillery company at Biddeferd A first
class range within easy access of the
city of Portland is greatly needed but
suitable site within the limits of the
funds available has not been found.
During the past year, one new infantry
company has been organized at Pittsfield
and assigned to the I'd Infantry as Co.
A, taking the place of the Gardiner
company dIsbanded in 1910 Under
General Orders No. %, dated Nov.
Il, 1911. the 10th Co, Coast Artil-
lery Corps. at Brunswick was dis
banded. The company's armory was
destroyed by fire in January 1911,
and though special efforts were made to
bring the organization up to required
standard of efficiency DISARMAMENT final
~ became necessary.
Inspector Generals Report.
inspector General James l.. Moriarty
states that the guard is excellently
equipped and uniformed. with the excep-
ton of the I'd Infantry, which is still
supplied with the old style blue overcoat
He says that the discipline observed
at the eneampment was of the highest
Several complaints in regard TO the mis-
conduct of the men out of camp were
received but on investigation these
proved to be of little Importance
The inspector general attributes much
of the success of the encampment to the
efforts of Lieut.. Edwin Butcher of the
10Th Infantry, U. $. A, detailed as per-
manent Instructor to the % Infantry
and Lieut.. Thomas Crystal of the 5th
Infantry, u. 5. A., detailed to the en-
campment as instructor.
The inspector general says that the
performance of SrIIard 6l1tv tho ~
campment. generally speaking was an
Improvement upon that shown before.
He believes that the emitting of the
ceremony of guard mount on all other
days except SUNDAY was a mistake.
Ceremonies such as guard mount and
evening parade have a healthy effect on
the spirit of the body, varying the rou-
tine and enlivening the interest" he
continues. ITO omit these ceremonies
is but to throw aside valuable opportun-
tiles for the increase of the morals of
the organization
Report of Chief Commissary.
The report of Blaine Owen, lieutenant
colonel subsistence department, chief
commssary. is in part as follows:
This year for the first time in the
history of the guard commissary stores
We're purchased and issued according
to regular army regulations and / am
pleased to say that in every particular
the results were eminently satisfactory
More interest was displayed by all the
officers company quartermaster SER
geants and cooks than ever before for
the simple reason that they understood
they were learning something of value
which could be applied when they at
tended maneuyers with the regular
troops.
Beside the general benefit to the regi-
ment by tins system the men were bet
ter fed and the cost of supplies much
lower than in former years 1t was
clearly demonstrated that the arbitrary
Issue of stores by the commissary Is
neither practical economical nor salts
factory.
1.-The encampments in this State should
be conducted along the same lines as
the regular army encampments in or
der that when our troops attend joint
maneuvers they will have received in
struction in the rudmentary principals
at least and be able to take advantage
of the great opportunities offered by
| association with the regulars and not
ne embarrassed Dy having 10 learn nrSt
principals which should have been
taught them at home.
1.-THE only difference in the system
used this year and that in use by the
regular army was in the matter of cash
savings. Our troops We're not allowed
them and ] would respectfully recon-
mend that hereafter cash savings be al
lowed.
1.-THE net expense was s2495.s9 Num-
Der of rations issued 6257. Average cost
per man per day, s0.33174"
Chief Surgeons Recommendations.
Chief Surgeon Edwin M. Fuller makes
the following recommendations:
That two schools for medical and san
itary instruction be held each year for
the benefit of the Medical Corps; one to
be held at Waterville, previous to the
annual encampment. in the early sam
mer months, and one at Norway, subse-
quent to the eneampment, during the
fail months.
That the cooks of the various compan-
les of the Guard be selected with great
care for their efficiency and general in
telligenee.
IL.