Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-03-20
COATS g YEARS
OLD WORN BY GUARD
Senate Committee Says lnau-
gural Contingent Was Credit
to New Jersey.
From a san corrc.nondent.I

TRENTON, y. j., March 20.-Thai
some of the oyercoats used by the
Kew Jersey State troops are thirty
Two years old was stated yesterday in
the report made by the Senate com
m'ttee, which was appointed to in.
Nesugate the matter after the criti-
eism of the uniforms in the inaugu-
fa parade.
The committee recommends that ar
leem of Sl3 1000 be included in the APP
preparation fer the purchase of LOOK
evorcoats. and that each year there
after the Legislature make similar
appropriation until the required num-
eer will have been purchased. The
committee in its report states that
a would require at least 500 900 &c
equip the entire guard with suitable
garments
Report TO the Senate
The report made TO the Senate in
part follows:
Your committee, appointed in pur-
suanee of resolution adopted Mon
day, March 10. met in the office of
the State Military Board, on We'd
nesday afternoon, March IL.
The witnesses examined were the
adJutant general, quartermaster-g gem
eral. division commander, commander
of the provisional brigade, and the
colonies Of the three regiments COM
posing the brigade that attended the
Inauguration, together with an officer
of the quartermaster's department
who had charge of some of the de-
tails of the movement, and Major
Edward L. Chrisman, detailed by the
War Department TO this State as
nspector-instructor of the Guard,
After a full and thorough hearing,
we desire to submit the following
report:
I'VE found that the National Guard
of the State has about 1000 blue over
coats; that some of them We're pur-
chased in 1881 and the balance from
time to time until 1904; that While
they are serViceable and so reported
by the army inspectors from year to
year, they are of an obsolete pattern
and not all Of the same shade; that
when the troops went to Washington
they were equipped with these over
coats, which were the best and only
ones in possession of the National
Guard; that it would haye been moth
ing short of criminal to have sent
the troops to Washington without
them; that they We're necessary for
the comfort of the men, both going
10 and returning from Washington
in fact, were necessary except about
six hours during the middle of the
day of March 4; that the wea Their
bureau advises that the temperature
at IL a. m. was 81, at p. IN. 81, and
that the average for the day was
30 7-10; that it was distinctly under
stood by the commanding officer of
the provisional brigade and the
OF the regiments that COM
posed the brigade that the overcoats
would not be Worn unless absolutely
necessary: that the commander of
the provisional brigade had deter
mined that it would not be necessary
TO wear them and was about to issue
an order to this effect when Colonel
D. Stewart Craven, an officer of this
State, detailed to the staff of the
chief, division of militia affairs of the
War Departm was notified by the
War Department to require overcoats
to be worn; that, of course, the COM
mander of The provisional brigade
obeyed that order: that he protested
to the chief of the division of militia
affairs about wearing the overcoats
before he got his brigade into line
and was told by that officer that the
order to wear the overcoats had been
issued by the War Department.
Men Credit TO the State.
THAT the quartermaster-ge general
had taken up the question of pur-
chasing new overcoats with the vari-
Gus inspectors from the War Depart
ment, who annually inspect the guard,
and that he had been advised that
there was likely to be change in
the pattern of overcoat now used,
and that even though he had the
money TO spend upon this article of
uniform, it would be we'll for him
to wait until the question of change
in shape and length of overcoat had
been finally determined; that of the
nearly 5000 troops who formed the
provisional brigade all but three re-
ported for duty when the brigade was
ready TO take its position in line:
that the physical appearance, soldiery
bearing, discipline and strength of the
organizations reflected great credit
upon the State; that instead OF cen
sure the guard and the military au
thorities should be commended for
having overcoats purchased SO many
years ago in such good and service
al,le condition and sufficient for every
except parade, which is sell
dom had in the winter.
Respectfully submitted, William p.
Ramsay. George c. Lowe, Walter d.
Edge, committee