Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-24

1t is part of the curriculum of the
soldier. 1t has been put into actual
practice, and we now have the rifles
of the militia in better condition than
ever before. OF course there may be
here and there an exception to the
general good condition of the rifles, but
these exceptions are so rare as to
cause surprise.
Naval Militia.
THE first and second divisions Of
the Naval Reserve are in better con-
dition than at any time in it's history.
The third division of the Naval Re-
serve. never a healthy or enthusiastic
organization, has shown some i'm
provement during the past year, There
remains, however, abundant room for
improvement along the lines of en-
thusiasm and interest such as will
manifest increased attendance at drills
and a higher standard of efficiency.
General Remarks.
STEADY improvement in the care of
books, papers and records has been
disclosed at the inspections. Attempts
at uniformity in the system of keep
ing records are bearing good results,
and with here and there an excep-
ton, the results are very satisfac-
tory.
More or less stress has been laid
upon the appearance of organiza tons
at inspections in past reports. The
criticisms seem to be productive of
good. A very marked Improvement
has resulted. There is still room for
many of the organizations to improve
upon their attendance at inspections.
Full attendance is to be desired. It
is absolutely impossible to determine
the efficiency of an organization where
the attendance is lacking. Experience
has shown that many of the company
commanders make special efforts to
gather their full strength. whites 9TH
ers are not, or at least seem not to
be, fired with much enthusiasm along
these lines. 1T has been the experience
of the inspector general to receive the
greatest courtesy from the different
company commanders. These cour-
tesies have tended to make his work
of inspection much easier by having
the various company properties so ar
ranged as to take the least time in
their examination. Their time has
been freely given and this without
recompence of any kind.
The personnel of the officers in the
Coast Artillery branch of the service
includes a larger percentage of quail
fed officers than any other like or
in the country. The War
Department has prescribed the courses
of study for these officers. Examina-
tons upon these courses are held
semi-annually. Faithful application to
study produces good examinations,
Hence the excellent rating of the
Coast Artillery officers.
Complimentary notices have appear
ed from time to time in the reports
from this Office regarding the condi-
ton of the militia. These notices
have been honestly made and have
been founded upon thorough obser-
walton. Perfection in military organ
izations is to be hoped for; to de-
mand 1t would be unreasonable. Suf-
flee it to say that with the systems
under which the militia is now work
ing, the results are about all that can
be desired. The different branches
will compare fayorably with like
branches in other states. A marked
is shown in the standard
of the officers and men: valuab BILE work
is being seriously accomplished; and
interest and enthusiasm are markedly