The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-08-05
REGIMENT ASSURED
JAMES ROBERTSON RECEIVES
INSTRUCTIONS TO ORGANIZE
COMPANY HERE.

Work of organizing a new regi-
ment, which will be known as the
Fifth regiment, South Dakota Ma
tional guard, one company Of which
will be located in Madison, will be
started at once. The regiment will
be operated under the new federal
law, which provides for pay for Off
GERS and men the entire year round.
James Robertson, former captain
of ~disbanded Company ID, of Madi-
son, this morning received a COM
munication from C.. II. Englesby. of
WATERFOWL, who will be the colonel
of the new regiment, directing that
Mr.. Robertson, who is expected to
command the company to be formed
here, to get some of his men together
as soon as possible. 1t is the pur-
pose to raise a company of between
sixty-fiye and 100 officers and men.
The new federal plan of organiz-
ing and maintaining national guards
men is to pay a small salary, and to
provide means for an armory and an
nual encampments, provide uni
forms and ammunition. All of the
expense is TO be betrayed by the Unit
ed States government. but the militia
will be subject to the call Of the gov
ernors of the respective states in
which the regiments are located as
formerly. At the annual encamp-
ments, the militia will draw regular
field pay. Heretofore, national
guardsmen drew pay only when in
camp or on actual duty.
Commencing now, captains will
receive $500 a year; first lieuten-
ants, $240 a year; second liteuten-
ants, $500 a year, and enlisted men,
$4S a year and up. Five hundred
dollars a year is to be paid by the
government for the rem of an ar
mory in each town in which there is
a company. Formerly there was no
definite amount available for an ar
mory. 1t was necessary. in the past,
for companies to depend on the state
Legislature to pass a bill. appropriat-
ing money with which to defray ar
mory expenses.
Mr.. Robertson said that the new
law would. no doubt. result in the
erection here at an early date of an
adequate armory, probably built by a
stock company. The $500 rental, he
pointed out, would be permanent.
An outstanding phase of the fed
eral regulation is that high school
boys will be permitted TO drill with
the militia. and will be given instruc-
tions by the company officers. The
plan will obyiate the necessity of en-
gaging military instructors for hun
dreds of high schools and other in
situations which now are given such
instruction.
1t is intended, so far as is posi-
BILE, TO engage men who have seen
actual service or who have had eX-
p~erience in the regular army. 10 fill
the officers berths. Officers must
buy their own uniforms, while the
~privates' wearing apparel will be
provided by the government.
A new ruling provides that boys
under Is years of age of age may en-
list, after having received the con
sen of their parents. while young
men above Is years of age are not
required to have the parental con
sent. Formerly all militia men We're
required to be at least Is years old.
and those under the age of 81 years
were required to have the consent of
parents. The militia will not be
subject to international service until
first enlisting in the federal army.
Mr.. Robertson said he hoped the
business men of the city generally
would cooperate in the formation of
the local company. He declared he
did not think there should be objec-
ton on the part OF business men TO
letting their assistants join the
militia. He said the annual encamp-
ment would be of only fifteen days
duration, about the same length of
time the average man spends each
year on his vacation, whether a sol
der or not.