Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-01

has now begun. The new regiment
is to be truly National Guard unit
and if the government is in need Of
its services it will be called upon.
Both officers and men entering the
new organization must undergo a
searching physical examination and
they will not avoid their duty under
the selectiVe draft law by becoming
members. They will, however, win Z.
great advantage in case they are called
to the colors under that law. The in
struction they will have received will
be of such value to them and they will
have good expectations of success in
their ambitions to become non-com-
missioned officers or better.
1T is reported at Washington that
there are to be more officers train
ing camps, but no more civilians will
be able to gain admission. The stu
dents at the future camps will all
be selected from the National Army
or from the National Guard. Accord
ing to the present outline of the loca-
ton of the companies Of the new reg
iment, two will be stationed at Port
land and two in Lewiston and one
each in Biddetord. Westbrooh. Au-
burn, Augusta, Waterville, Bangor,
Belfast, Bath and other towns will be
called upon to furnish the auxiliary
troops, including the medical depart
ment, headquarters company, supply
company and machine gun company.
Major Gilbert Elliott, leading ply
stefan of Brunswick and a professor
at Bow Join College, has been trans
ferred from the ordnance department
to the position of surgeon general on
the Governors staff. He was medi-
cal officer in 1898 and is now crganiz-
ing the medical department for the
new regiment. He has already receiv-
ed assurances from the leading sur
they assist in every way possible, but
many Of them have signified their
intention Of enlisttng. AS soon as The
organization of the regiment has been
perfected and officers selected, the
federal government will be asked to
give it an inspection with vitw to its
recognition.
THE government wanted nothing
done unless it could be put on suit
able basis and the outlook for the new
regiment in this respect is above the
average. Under the pay table for
drills now in force the drill pay
amounts to several thousands Of dol
lars year for each company. The
companies must be maintained at a
minimum strength of the maximum
peace strength of 100 men. The ar
mories which are TO be used by the
units Of the new regiment will prob
ably be supplied with new steel lock-
'ers and they will be put in proper
condition for continued use.
Battalion Of Engineers
Besides the new infantry regiment.
Maine will also organize a battalion
of engineers in the near future. Old
Town and Orono seem to be&the logi-
cal places for such a battalion, with
many Of the men who would become
officers in such technical work to be
found in that section and with the
possibilities Of recruiting for the bat
TALON among the men already trained
IN many branches of the work to be
performed. All able-bodted male Cit
liens Of Maine between the ages OF
Is and As years will be eligible for en-
listment and an active campaign for
recruits will begin as soon as the pre-
liminary organization is perfected.
From present indications the new in
fantrv regiment will meet with hearty
popular support"