The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-01-31
AERO TRAINING
STATION LIKELY
FOR BRIDGEPORT
CONTINUED from Page one.l

a. member of the general board.
Tho convention received and accept
ed an offer of the Grinnell Aeroplane
Co. to train one militia officer in every
selected by ballot among the officers,
and he must be between 81 and II
years old.
Secretary Daniels, Admiral Victor
Blue, Captain Bassett of the Navy De-
partment and Congressman Padgett
and Britton. members of the naval
committee. were at the conference.
It was learned that plans are being
made to establish stations for wire
less all over the country, so that mil
itia departments will be able to cover
every town and city in the United
States with their sound waves. It was
explained at the meeting that Bridge
port already has four wireless stations
under the control of the militia, a
large one on top OF the armory and
three others conducted by the three
operators On the local service. The
equipment here belongs to the men
themselves, as they installed it Of their
own initiative and out of their own
funds.
Matters of great interest to militia
men all over the country were talked
over at the convention and the COM
illusions arrived at are exciting great
comment
One of the first matters was how
to obtain better attendance at drills
This was disposed of because govern
ment officials there declared there is
| little doubt that a bill to pay militia
men will pass Congress, It will go a
little further, it is thought that Mich
igan's state provision. Michigan pays
naval naflitiarnen from 25 cents ito
$1.85 per drill and infantrymen from
20 cents to about 81. New York state
Is considering a plan to pay SO cents
I n Y~a1 nef JiGT1 a fina af n re
for mons attendance. Congress will
also make provision, it is thought, for
| night workers drills.
General methods for improving in
struction and drill were discussed
next. It is expected more automatic
rifles will be added to local equip
ment, more guns will he provided
and equipment in general will be i'm
proved.
On target practice it is expected the
compulsory clause relating to the en-
gineers' division will be dropped. Tar
get practice for them will be option
al.
Using Federal funds without author
| ity was talked over and it was decided
ito make it clear that only in mat
tiers of preserving life and property
may this be done.
Delay by militia officers in making
reports to the national government
has caused trouble. Circulars will
be sent out, especially for the benefit
of the newer organizati Ions, instructing
them concerning reports. The de-
lays have been caused principally be-
cause the reports require a tremendous
amount Of work, but it Is expected
Congress will provide funds for paid
yeonen to assist the officers
| Failure of naval militia officers to
! take examinations after all the pre-
| Iininary steps have been taken, was
under consideration. Ninety days will
be allowed hereafter.
Department commanders will COM
nunicate with officials of banking in
situations and corporations relative to
granting the regular annual leave to
members of the militia There has
been trouble over this frequently.
Plans are being made to link the
country by wireless. All militia or
ganiEations will be supplied with keys
and headpieces. A large number of
qualified radio operators will be
sought.
Connecticut had five representatives
at the convention, as did Massachu-
sets. New York had 18.