Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-04


preparedness resolution that was rail-
roaded through early in the first ses-
sion before many of the delegates had
taken seats and before they had
clear idea of what they were doing
but there was not the slightest indi-
cation of undergraduates evident
among the visitors at the armory. In
fact the general sentiment expressed
many times, especially by the ladies,
was that we must have just as good
guns and as many of them as any 9TH
er country. While the sentiment was
expressed than although military
training seemed very necessary it was
certainly hoped that the boys would
never have occasion to use the equip
ment. The remark Of one little lady
boy didn't go she would disown him
met with general applause.
| 7. Lieut.. Harry w. Smith. recently
appointed to the staff, has given to
the 5th Co. a silver loving cup to be
contested for by the privates of the
company. The conditions are as fol-
| lows: Condition of lockers, condition
of uniform and general appearance on
duty, general efficiency in studies and
| the number of recruits obtained. This
| is worked out on a percentage basis
and list of members posted each
month showing the individual stand
ing. The percentage to be obtained by
enlisting new men is the key to the
contest as the percentage gained is
considerably higher than in the other
| conditions; the others are large
enough however to require that it be
watched. The cup will be held by the
private winning it two years, not nee
essarily consecutive.
S. At the end OF each quarter. a
| figure of relative efficiency will be
computed, in the office of the Adju
tant General, for each company of
! Coast Artillery. The method OF COM
putting this figure of efficiency will
be the same as that 10 be used by the
Division Of Militia Affairs. This was
published in Par 81 of the Bulletin
of Nov. 20, 1915 The following are
the figures of efficiency OF the Coast
Artillery Cos. as computed for the
present quarter:
LIST Co. .34.33: End Co, 1887: Bird
Co.. 21.S0; 4th CO.. 4o.47; 5th Co,
1886: 9Th Co.. 32.S1: eth Co, 14.71;
Sth Co, 21.04: 9th Co, 29.6S: 10th CO.,
1884; 18th Co, 12.9:: eth Co.. 4O.64.
Attention is invited to the fact that
for the joint coast defense exercises
of 1916 the minimum rating which
will entitle a company to an allow
ance of ammunition for service target
nr9Pfica will no haf bo
War Department rating for 1916 will
not be computed until after the May
examinations.
g. The Portland Business Mems
Military Training Class continues to
| grow in numbers and enthusiasm.
Fortytwo men were present at the
last drill, Dec. IS. and we'll over 50
have already signified their interest.
New members are joining at the rate
Of 10 or a dozen each week. The class
meets every Thursday afternoon be-
tween and els +. NJ. Forty FIVE min
utes are spent in drill. Is minutes in
g brief lecture on Il wide range of
military subjects and Is minutes for
discussion and business. Lectures have
already been delivered by Capts. Hall,
i'N''s'S 'AiA+i oSS an" 'AiS WA SS tt'
outlined will continue through May,
1916.
10. The equipment of the Portland
i;.rmory has recently been inspected by
the Ordnance Department and found
to be complete with but few excep-
tons. That the equipment will be Sec
ond to none in the country is due in a
great measure to the untirng efforts
of the artillery engineer. Capt. Henry
W. Hobbs. An innovation not known
to have been added to other militia
equipments is the stamping of the
range sraduations on the range drum,
this being entirely due to Capt
Hobbs efforts assisted by the inspec-
toT-instructor, capt. L. w. Niles, L.
s a.
II. Company A. I'd Infantry. having
fallen below the required standard of
efficiency. has been disbandcd by Cen
erol Orders, No. IS, A. G o., c. .. Ma
lNr Walter j. Mayo of the Armory
Commission has been ordered to visit
Dexter and ascertain what provisions
can he made for suitable armory IA
cilities in that town in case it is de-
cided to organize a National Guard
company there. Several other cities
and towns have also petitioned for
permission to raise companies of the
National Guard, all Of which will be
duly considered before final decision
is reached.
L. The second session of the
Coast Artillery war. game was held in
Portland Friday. Dec. l.. The phase3
Which followed consecutively that of a
month ago was night reconnais
sance for the location of searchlights.
1t was successful. Searchlights were
used profusely and the location of
practically all Of them was deter,
mined. Two lights We're declared de-
stroyed by fire Of destroyer division
which had been permitted to approach
to extreme short range. 1t should be
mentioned that the proper use of
searchlights is an intricate problem
beside which a Chinese puzzle is mere
child's play. Owing to the miraculous
luck of Capt. Besse, comma nding Bat
terry Blair, the navy suffered the loss
of q super -dreadnought. A feature of
the reconnaissance was the introduce
ton Of hostile aeroplanes. which, while
observed from the Notifications, prov
ed a battling problem.
Previous to the game chowder was