The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-02
Proposed Bill Add S
Cavalry and Artillery
Training.
COST is LITTLE
TO GOVERNMENT
Equipment to Be Issued Class A
Military Schools, With Allow
ance for Keep of Horses.
Instructors Get Army
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Work for Bill.

Bills will soon be introduced in Con-
gress vitality affecting the future OF
the virginia Military institute and the
half-dozen other military schools OF
the first rank in the country Ihey
have for their purpose nothing less
than TO provide an inexpensive way
for the government 10 secure men as
the output OF these institutions who
win be fit for the cavalry ana nelo
artillery. as well as for the infantry
service.
1t IS said to be probable that the
bill will be presented in the House OF
Representatives by Congressman James
Hay, of the Seventh Virginia District
In view OF his position as chairman
of the Committee on Military Affairs,
his parentage of such a measure would
seem to assure its enactment Tine
intention is to push the matter IN the
next Congress. the present session
being too short and crowded to permit
the accomplishment of the plans
The bill provides for the issuance.
on application. of three-inch field artlI-
lerv material not TO exceed the full
equipment for a firing battery with
the appropriate forge and store wag-
ons. and cavalry equipment not to eX-
coed that necessary for a troop OF not
more than fifty members. In addition
il is proposed to make an allowance
Of sI5 a month for each horse, not to
exceed fifty, actually maintained for
use in connection with the cavalry ana
artillery instruction. Ammunition and
and supplies for one battery and a
troop of fifty men are also TO be issued
on requisition-
This distribution is TO be made by
the Secretary of War. under reguIa-
tons u be prescribed by him, and Is
to be limited to such military schoois
at which officers of the regular army
are detailed as professors OF lniiitary
science and tactics and whose students
have exhibited such proficiency in mil
itary training and knowledge as 10
have obtained the War Department
rating Of Glass A, distinguished The
virginia Military Institute and perhaps
seven other schools in the United
States would be eligible. but it is said
that in practice probably only one
other besides the Virginia school would
be in position to comply with the re-
ouirements or would desire to do So
Add CayaIry and Artillery.
The result of such a measure would
be that cadets of the Virginia Military
Institute would receive military train
ing in the cavalry and artillery service.
in addition to the infantry. making
more II them useful to the country In
the event of war. The number of
mounted organizations would nave 10
be greatly increased at the outbreak
Of hostilities and a sufficlent NUMBER
OF trained men for this work Is Sadly
lacking. since very few are available
for the very branches requiring the
longest and most costly training. II
e the policy Of the War Department TO
encourage the cavalry and field artii-
lerv organizations In the organized
militia. but there are so few COM
mands that the men trained as ofneers
are limited.
II is contemplated by the bill that
the schools will furnish their own drill
grounds. drill halls. stables, gun sneds
and other facilities and provide at
least thfrty-six horses for mounted IN
struction. This cost being large. there
is a provision Of SIS month Tor each
horse IL is estimated that FROM
thirty-six to fifty horses together can
be maintained for an average OF Wv
and the additional allowance would go
toward employing hos:lers ana grooms'
paving shoeing and veterinary charges
and for the purchase OF horses TO re-
place losses.
Army Instructors
The bill further provides that the
rfGf ~
sergeant OF field artillery and one me-
rhauic as extra strength. to be de-
tailed for the care o. the material ana
FOR purposes or instruction under
command OF the army officers on duty.
--he sergeant. selected from the ar
tsilerv because ne knows mounted
work as well. would act as stable ser
,-eant ana have charge OF the hostlers.
Mechanics would keep the material
in repair. The professor OF military
tactics and science. from the army.
: TO be allowed mounted pay. as he
must be mounted under the new sys-
TEN.
shouid the standard % instruction
<an below the requirements the sec
,-etarv OF War may Withdraw the ma
terial ana equipment. and stop ;he al
I,wancc for maintenance OF horses
Friends Of military schools are ear
ncst;v behind the measure. Letters
rave been written by Mayor George
.inslie OF Richmond. President VII
lam n white. % the Richmond. Fred
.ricksburr and Potomac Railroad ana
others. 70 mcm,ers u conzress- Cap
a., rosoph r. willard has been TO-
svssbi,vscn and has seen Senator
Martin regarding the measure, enlist
- his consideration In its behalf.
n - realized that tho addition OF such
features TO the Virginia Miiitary In
stitu,e would vastly incrcas. its Scoop.
IS usefulness 20 The people 81 the
state and is value % the country IN
tim OF WAT.
Local rpcsrbcrs u the Board 81
Visitors. General Chasls ,. anderson
General W. W sale and colonel Joseph
Patton. are heartily behind the propo-
stion