Evening star., 1915-06-06

the plans for the reorsaniza-
tion of the command. Those
familiar with the workings of the
local citizen soldiery are awaiting
the outcome of the instructions
which have been issued by the
War Department to make the organi-
cation a model for the states to copy.
To carry out their theories. those at
the War Department who direct such
matters propose to use the District or
ganization because 1t is the only one
over which they have any direct con-
troll. it being practically federal
force.
The reorganization board" held its
second meeting this week. with every
member present. The board consists
of Maj. Joseph c. Castner, L. s. A,
adjutant general, District of Columbia
Militia: Col. Charles H. Ourand and
Lieut.. Col. Glendie B. Young, 1st In
fantry, and Col. William E. Harvey
and Lieut. Col Anton stephan. I'd In
fantry.
The board carefully considered the
question of officers for the new regi-
ment to be formed, scrutinizfng the
efficiency records. 1t was decided to
proceed along the lines of survival of
the fittest."
Employees at headquarters have been
kept busy going through the files In
quest of inspection reports and the
efficiency records of all officers affect
ed. They are preparing schedule to
be submitted to the members of the
board.
Further than deciding to examine
the efficiency records of the officers,
the board has done little in the way of
reorganization, so far as can be
la. of
TWO existing regiments of infantry into
one. and the organizing of a battalion
of coast artillery, so far as is known,
has not yet been touched upon by those
charged with the work of reorganiZa-
ton.
Line officers of the guard express the
opinion that the War Department may
be surprised when the time arrives to
merge the enlisted personnel of the
two infantry regiments. 1t will be
found. they say. that service in the
guard does not approximate that in
the regulars where man enlists
and is assigned to any company where
he may be needed
large percentage of the men of the
National Guard, not only in the Dis
out enlist in certain company be-
cause of a special interest in that
company. 1t may be because a GER
tain Individual is captain or that the
recruit has friends in the company.
When it comes to separating these
friends. and assigning them to duty
under strange officers, those of the line
contend, the War Department will
learn that the National Guard cannot
be merged as easily in practice as can
be done on paper.
Should the proposed reorganization
be completed by the time set for the
snnuI encampment of the guard, 1t
probably will be necessary to have two
encampments, it is said at militia head
quarters. If the coast artillery is to
carry out the objects for which it is
formed il would be useless for it to
camp with the infantry, it is pointed
out.
In view of this consideration, it is
probable that the coast artillery viii
or Fort Washington, Md, while the in
fantrv will see field service at camp
site yet to be selected.
r
The delay in actually appointing a
commanding general of the District of
Columbia militia continues to hold up
action on d number of important mat
ters affecting the District National
Guard One is the annual encampment,
site for which has not yet been Sc
lected.
Another. and a very important mat
=
facilities The Center Market armory
quarters may have to be vacated by
July ! because the guard is with
out sufficient funds to pay the rental
demanded. which is $4,000. anincrease
of $4,000 over the current rental.
There is no one authorized to sign a
lease for the next fiscal year. II new
building is to be obtained, it probably
VIII take soAe time to remodel it to
suit the nseds of the guard.
xlf fNf
trict of Columbia militia" is the only
one. under the law. authorized to make
leases and contracts and to disburse
funds provided for the militia by the
District of Columbia appropriation act.
The question of property shortage,
with which the local National Guard
officers have been wrestling for sew
eral years is about to be settled. When
this is done it Will be known Just how
much in the way of federal funds the
guard will have to spend in connection
with the proposed encampment.
Capt Horace = Hobbs. U. s A., in
spector -instrUcto~ assigned to the Ma
tional Guard d ne District of Colum-
bia left WASH gton Thursday for
Mount Gretna "a where an instruc-
tion camp for the officers of the Ma
tional Guard of Pennsylvania has been
opened. After remaining there for
about ten Gays, capt. HOODS Will pro-
ceed to Seagirt. y. j., where a similar
camp for the officers of the New Jersey
National Guard is to be conducted
A number Of committees were selected
81 the special meeting of the Non Com
,nissioned Officers Association of the LIST
Infantry, y. q. D. e. held Thursday
night in the Oyster building. They fol
low:
Executive commttee-Sergt O'MaIley.
Company +. Sergr. Mai Mead, I'd Bat
TALON Sergt. Davis. Company L.: Sergt.
Schriver. Company X. and Drum Major
knmerling. band
Auditing counittee-Sergt Smith.
Company x: Corp Kelly, Company +.
aud Corp Mcknight. Company L.
Entertainment committee-Sergt Rev
Iolds, LIST Infantry Sergt Simmons, u.
s A: Sergt Smith. Company X: Sergt.
C'Malley. Company f. and Drum Major
Eitumerling. band
The following were admitted TO mem
fership: Sergt. Hargett, Company T..
Corp. Gross. Company l.: Corp Naneer.
Company ]; Sergt. Quade, Company X
Sergt. Schriver. Company X Corp Nc
Knight Company j.: Sergt Fox Com
Jsuy L. and Drum Major kimrnerlIng.
u; ph.
The next meeting Will be held in the
Oyster building at O'Clock pm Thurs
Gay. June 10.
L