Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13

on the National Guard, Mai. Gen. Anton
Stephan has written letter to the
chief Of the Militia Bureau giving bis
views on thD recent cut in the ration
allowance for the militia from 50 to
As cents.
II have noted the recent reduction
in the National Guard ration from so
to as cents, and am taking the liberty
Of submitting my views on the matter
in the hope that they will receive due
consideration in conjunction with
others that doubtless will reach your
office.
1T Is, OF course. realized that the
Militia Bureau desires to do all pos
sible toward cooperating in the Fed
eral Governments economy program,
and naturally wishes to avoid any ex-
pected deficiency. With this goal
am in entire accord, provided it can
be done in some way other than at the
expense of the soldier on whom the
Government must depend in an
emergency. l realize. too, that the
values OF foodStuffs have come down
in the recent past hence the ration
under the new value Is not so much Of
reduction as 1t may appear. How
ever, l cannot help but feel that the
National Guard ration should remain
at SO cents, and ! base this option
on the following:
An excellent HESS curing encamp-
mentS contributes greatly to the morale
and future recruitment of all organi-
cations.
Young men, taken from Offices and
similar civilian vocations, demand q
considerably larger quantity of we'll
prepared food, and their appetites do
not return to normal much before the
conclusion Of the two weeks encamp-
ment.
1T Is extremely difficult to obtain
and to train properly competent cooks,
especially during the armory period.
The result, only too often, is more
waste OF food in camp than is expected
among regular troops. We have found
1t very difficult to obtain regular Army
mont commissioned off1cer instructors
who will furnish first-class practical
instruction in messing, and this Is es-
pecially true because We have no way
OF paying these instructors for the
nights they devote to our organizations
during armory training.
Il do not feel that our Government
is fully justified in economizing on
National Guard enlisted personnel when
other means exist for increasing the
Federal income or for making econo-
mics. and 1t is my understanding that
the congressional committee having the
matter in charge is on record as being
result from drill and camp attendance
of National Guard"
Despite the cut in the ration money
it was said that the troops were better
fed this year than ever before, although
more, of course, could have been pro-
vided with the additional cents per
man per day. This improvement in
the food served, it was indicated, how
ever, came as result of a plan put
into effect at the beginning of the last
armory drill year when a school was
organized for bakers and cooks. These
men, each drill night, instead of put
ting in time with their commands, were
required to go to the school for theo-
retical and practical training in the
preparation of wholesome messes.
Under instructions from the Sd Corps
Area, unit commanders of the Guard
were required to prepare their armory
drill programs for the current season as
a part of their field training this year.
in order that the work might be started
promptly upon the return of the troops
to the home station.
General details for the selection OF
candidates from the National Guard to
attend the Regular Army service schools
are contained in a circular issued by
the Militia Bureau of the War Depart
ment
The bulletin says that no definite
allotment TO States of students for field
officers training courses is contem-
plated by the department. Recommen-
cations for these courses will be con-
sidered from the point OF view OF the
National Guard as whole. To receive
consideration applications for field off,
GERS courses must be forwarded so as
to reach the Militia Bureau not later
than one month prior to the opening
date of the course.
Under the heading general qualifica-
tons for admission to schools the
bureau says 1t Is desired that rec
concentrations be limited TO: Special
" selected men who will reflect distinct
credit on the service. officers and en-
listed men who have the necessary
mental and physical qualifications 10
pursue the course with profit, and who
are of the type suitable to act as IN
structors upon their return from the
school; officers and enlisted men who
intend to continue in the service; off,
GERS who have not less than one year
of commissioned service and enlisted
men of at least one years service; ON
GERS and enlisted men known to be
physically At to pass a searching phys
ical examination upon arrival at school.
In forwarding the applications Of en-
listed men. commanding officers are re-
quired to certify that the applicant VIII
not be promoted following the date OF
his reo,iest until after his return from
school.
The letter also points out that there
will be no accommodations available at
the schools for families of officers or
enlisted men, and that transportation
for dependents and household goods is
not authorized. However officers Will
be entitled to base pay and allowances,
together with longevity pay, and also
rental allowance where the course does
not exceed four months, or when the
course does exceed four months, If the
officer has dependents and no accom-
moda tions are available for them. En-
listed men are entitled to the pay OF
their grade. subsistence in KIND and
quarters for themselves IN barracks or
tents. -. ~.
Infantry school at Fort Benning. Ga.
one for field officers to begin the second
week in January to last for six weeks;
one for company officers, beginning the
third week in January and continuing
for IL weeks and one on communlca-
tions. beginning the second week in
February to continue for 16 weeks.
A course at the Tank School. Fort
Meade, Md, will be given lot company
officers beginning the first week IN
March, to continue for II weeks:
The Field Artillery course will be at
Fort Sill. Okla The six weeks field
offlcers course will begin the first week
in january; the IL weeks battery Off
GERS course will begin the fourth week
in January, the Is weeks communica-
lions course for enlisted men to begin
the first week IN February.
Airplane mechanics courses for en-
listed men will last for So weeks. one to
start in November Courses in pho
Biography will last for "a weeks; begin.