The Washington herald., 1916-10-14
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Best Service Column IN CITY.

Horses are to be issued to mounted
militia organizations provided the organ
lzations are prepared to maintain the ami
mals' according to an order issued by the
Secretary Of War upon the recommends
ton OF the late Gen. A. L Mills, former
chief Of the division of militia affairs.
At the time the National Guard was
called into service of the United States
the quartermaster corps purchased ap-
proxlmately 1000 horses to equip COM
pletely all organizations. These horses
VIII constitute surplus when the organ
tzations are mustered out, and 1t was
thought good opportunity presented IT.
self for the issuance to the National
Guard of an allotment of animals-thir-
ty-two to an organization and four to a
battalion or a regimental headCHarters-
as the units return from the border, pro-
Vided the States have proper facilities for
caring for the horses
The militia funds are not sufficient at
present for forage for the animals, and
1t probably will be necessary to obtain
additional funds from Congress early in
the next session. Should horses be issued
to all of the units, approximately 1000
would be required. but, Of course, many
of the organizations will be unable to
care for their allotment of animals
Preliminary reports have been made
concerning the work of the cavalry
equipment board In session at the Rock
Island Arsenal. The board Is giving par
ticular attention to the cavalry saddle
with view to reporting upon the rela-
tive merits Of various military saddles
for the cavalry service. 1t also has con-
sidered reports from organization COM
manders with reference to the model 1872
cavalry equipment, which has been in
use for about two years in an experiment
tai way in some twelve squadrons OF
cavalry. and OF which 1900 sets were
manufactured.
Adverse reports on some of the articles
Of the 1912 equipment, particularly the
saddle, led to the suspension of further
manufacture and to the appointment Of
the Army Board to conduct an investiga-
ton. The board has decided upon a sad
die for officers modelled after the French
officers saddle. The hinged side-bars
and other features OF the 1912 saddle are
discarded. The saddle for enlisted men
will resemble the officers saddle in design.
but will be Of cheaper material.
The first step in the development Of the
naval reserve authorized by the naval act
of August q will be the orgspization Of
the fleet naval reserve. The next class
of reservists to be started will be the
auxiliary naval reserve (class 81, which
will be organized about December L This
class will be composed of those actually
serving on board merchant ships, the in
tention being that these vessels with their
officers and crews shall be transferred
bodily to the navy in the event OF war.
1t is hoped to begin enrolment in class
2 OF the naval reserve, in class Of the
naval coast defense reserve, and in class
OF the flying corps reserve soon after
January l. Some misconception prevails
concerning the so-called volunteer naval
reserve" which properly speaking has not
the same relation to the navy in all re-
spects as have the other five classee. The
volunteer naval reserve will be composed
OF those who are eligible for any Of the
five classes and who enroll in one OF those
classes, but who elect to serve without
pay or uniform gratuity.
Tho Bureau Of Supplies and Accounts
OF the Navy Department has awarded
contracts for powder tanks Of various
sizes, costing an aggregate of sos, 900
The prices named were considered ex-
tremely reasonable. The order has been
placed with F. H. Lowell & Co. and the
National Marine Lamp Company.
Bids received for $4,000 brass cartridge
cases are regared as excessive. the price
mentioned in the proposals being 1.lS7,-
900 for the entire lot. II has been sscer-
tanned by the chief Of ordnance Of the
navy that these same cartridge cases
could be produced at the Washington
Navy Yard for about 100000.