Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-11
RECRUITING TO STOP = IN. NATIONAL GUARD.
If Companies Are Up to the MaxImum
 --others to Build Up.

Company commanders of the Con- necticut National Guard are prohibited by general orders, recently. issued, to recruit any more soldiers if the strength of their company is in ex- cess of the minimum strength author ized, which is 65 enlisted men and three officers. When the strength of their companies is reduced by dis cants in excess of that number are to be carried on waiting list. Com panies below the minimum strength, however, are instructed to recruit up to that number.
 jutant generals office has been ex- peeted for some time The renewed interest in military affairs, the forrna- ton of five new batteries of field ar tillery, as well as many extra organ nations attached to the two infantry regiments has brought the strength of the guard up to the minimum of $500 exclusive of the naval militia, allowed by the state laws. In anticipation of the order many of the companies have recruited we'll into the seventies in the hope that, when recruiting was halted they might be allowed to keep their maximum strength, replacing each dis charge by an enlistment. The order from the adjutant generals office, however, will prevent this and give the weaker companies an opportunity to recruit up to peace strength while holding the stronger organizations down to that number.
 The rest of the orders instructs in a very plain manner that company wood from their companies before the federal inspection which will be- gin in a few weeks. The order is as follows:
 .HThe attention of company com manders is invited to the large mum "absent" at previous federal inspec- tions, and in order to make a better showing at the next federal inspec- tion, which commences in about two carefully scrutinize the rosters of their organizations and will forward to this office at once, applications for the dis charge for non-residence of all men entitled thereto; also for the dis charge of all others for the benefit of the service, who, for business or other satisfactory reasons, find them selves unable to attend to their du- ties as soldiers, and who will be un- able to be present at inspection, there- by reducing the efficiency and stand ing of their companies. The efficiency of q company, to Q large degree, fs de- teFmlned by the number of men pres ent for duty. Dead wood cannot be carried and the organization marked efficient.
 Company commanders whose organ fzatfons are now above the minimum strength authorized and required by law will make no further eniietments and When the strength of their ccTn- panfes is reduced by discharge, to the
 minimum. all men in excess of that number will be carried on 6 waiting list. This will not be construed as meaning that companies now beioW the minimum will not be recruited to that strength.
 Commanding officers will, immedi- ateIy after the federal inspection, for- ward to this office a list of ali ab- therefor, and for all such absentees who cannot furnish an excuse eatis- factory te this efHee, will bs fined by their commanding effieeFs as Feduifed by law and will De discharged for the benefit of the service.
 The action by the aajutaHt general IS ths most drastic that has been taken for years. Not since the days | of the Spanish -AmeFieah war has the esatteHal Guard Of tfae state been so large and F never before has reaehad 1 # it's provisions aFa eaFFied out age eefdiRg t9 their wording, means that l the state troops will have i69 per cent, atteRdaR6s at the federal iRsBeatiene l te take .Rlase during the esmlHg weeks, MeH Whe aFe net present are ts be flHea and dropped fFem ths Feiis, HTa= less 8 saEisfaetaFy. e#eEse is approved, 5Htaaf general. Fts aRiF e4sHsa that PFobabiE will De aaeeRfed will be a certiaeats ef illness fFam a reputable physician,