The Washington herald., 1916-01-04
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tees. which they insist will virtually Fed
eralize the National Guard The mem
bers Of the National Guard. who draw
Federal pay. will be required to enlist
in the service of the Federal government.
IT is also stated that the National Guard
will be willing to serve under regulations
prepared by the War Department and
thus will become the real body of trained
citizen soldiers. A heated controversy
over the merits of the two propositions
will take place in the House Committee
on Military Affairs in which the admin
istration will support the continental
army as against the militia pay bill
The abolition of the annual test ride and
the obstacle ride is recommended in the
annual report of the Inspector General
OF the army. The annual test ride has
often been referred to one OF Col.
Roosevelt's fads and according to num-
erous reports on file at the War De-
partment. has failed to accomplish the
purpose for which 1t was established.
1t was generally admitted in the ser
vice that at the time that Col. Roosevelt
inaugurated the annual test ride, officers
were not taking sufficient exercise. This
was especially true of officers who were
stationed at Washington and at depart
mental HEADQUARTERS on staff duty. But
the annual test ride is not improving the
physical condition of officers, as some
other system of daily exercises would.
At least this is the opinion of the In
spector General and a majority Of the
general officers of the army.
1T is believed" said the Inspector Gen.
eraL that several wears trial has shown
that the annual test ride for field officers
has failed to accomplish any good pur-
pose. and should be abandoned. The
caily exercise now required under the
direction of the post commander where
daily drills and routine work are not
sufficient will. without additional cost
and waste OF time. accomplish the pur-
Pose for oficers serving at posts. For
other officers a certain amount of eN-
ercise each month would be more bene-
ficisl. The monthly reports of such
officers should include a statement that
the required amount Of exercise has been
taken.
while the obstacle ride is not diff
ficult for an ordinary rider with
safe cross-country horse, still II SUB
jects officers more than IS years old
to unnecessary risk of permanent In
jury. Officers WIG have taken this
ride for a number of years and who
have arrived at the age of i5 should
be safeguarded against accident ana
excused from the ride. as they are from
other minor duties of youthful officers'
especially as the older officers would,
in case of war. be eliminated from
regimental duties.
1T Is Illogical to subject officers OF
many years service to the same physi-
cal tests as are applied to those pos
sessing the elasticity of youth. The
field officer Is now subject to the same
test as the Junior officers in the OBJ
stacle side, and. in addition, takes the
?0-mile test ride"
Army officers who reported at the
War Department yesterday were: Mai
Charles Young, Infantry; Capt. Ray
mond Sheldon, Eighteenth Infantry;
Lieut.. II. B. Lewis, Twentieth Infantry;
Second Lieut.. John W. Hyatt, Infantry;
Second Lieut.. c. N. Feamster, Infantry.
Ensign r. NJ. Fsrrsr, of the U. S. S.
Louisiana, reported at the Navy De-
partment yesterday.