Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-13
Making for Preparedness
in Maine National Guard

| 1t was 1909 when the last enrolment
of citizens eligible for military service
was made in the State OF Maine and
accordingly arrangements are now be-
Hg made for another enrolment.
Blanks are being prepared at the Of
flee of Adjutant General Presson and
will be sent at once to the assessors
throughout the State.
Governor Milliken is Watching close
ly all matters military and showing an
insight into such affairs hardly to be
expected OF a civilian. For instance,
when the matter of enrolment came up
the Governor was found to have the
laws of other states at hand and IA
miliar with their methods, as well as
the fact that Maine, under its law, is
all ready to begin and go ahead with
the work, whereas several states have
to have enacted special laws for the
purpose.
The enrolment in our State will also
he conducted this year so as to give
an unusual amount of information
concerning the occupations of men.
such as the number of machinists, au-
tomobile drivers, engineers, stationary
not be told when men Of these occu-
pations will be needed. All men of
from IS to As years of age will be talk
en-: and if subject to exemption, the
reason will be stated.
The condition of preparedness of the
National Guard of Maine is very graf
flying to Governor Milliken, it being
far ahead of many larger and sup
posed TO be better prepared states. All
the equipment, such as uniforms, rifles.
tentage, wagons. harnesses. etc, are
all in Augusta. ready for use.
When the prospect arose in the cold
weather of the Maine troops being call
ca TO service, the question of winter
equipment, such as winter hats, gloves,
arctics. etc. came to the attention OF
the adjutant general and the Cover
nor. Previous events have shown that
we would not have got an appropria-
ton for such equipment from the Leg
iSlature. but the situation is with us,
we need the articles and have no funds
with which to secure them.
Such is Governor Millken's interest
IN the matter. however and his de-
termination that If the Maine boys are
called on for duty, they shall be fully
equipped and prepared to face any con-
dltions so far as preparedness is con-
cerned, that he at once directed Adju-
tant General PresSon to go into the open
market and see about securing the nee
essary articles.
This was immediately done by Cen
eral Presson but without much success, |
for it was found impossible for any
OF the Wholesale dealers or manufac-
turers to supply the things, inside of
SIX to eight weeks. For instance, it +,
was attempted to buy 1000 pairs of
gloves from one of the largest New /
York houess and they said they couldn't |.
supply 10 dozen, let alone 1000 pairs I
The nearest to immediate supply was
in the case of a rubber house which .
has since notified the department that
it might get out enough of the articles
in two weeks or so.
1t has been no fault Of the adjutant
general department that such articles
are not on hand. because winter euuip-
ment have not been needed. It is de.
signed to purchase such things. how
ever, and have them on hand 1t has
sometimes been said What's the us4
to store such things and have them go
to pieces through non-use?" but the
point is made: why not be willing to
stand slight loss Of that kind for the
sake Of having them on hand when
needed.'
Governor Milliken Is squarely behind
the adJutant general in everything that
makes for the better condition of tho
National Guard of Maine and a condi-
ton Of preparedness that is in keeping
with the seriousness of the present