Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1916 — RENSSELAER MILITIA MADE GOOD SHOWING [ARTICLE]

RENSSELAER MILITIA MADE GOOD SHOWING

Company M Gets Creditable Grade When Inspected By Capt. John J. *• Toffey, U. S. A. Company M, 3rd Infantry of the Indiana national guard, was inspected Wednesday evening by Capt. John J. Toffey,. of the United States army, who is on detail with the Indiana national guard as an inspectorunstructor. This that the company will continue in service and that it is a federal asset and available for use in the event the United States should become involved in serious conflict with any foreign power. Captain Toffey is completing his tour of inspection of the various infantry organizations of the Indiana militia. The inspections began Jan. 29th and will terminate with the inspection of the third infantry band at Peru on Friday night of this week. Last year the inspection resulted ia the mustering out of a number of companies and in placing others on probation. This year it is probable that several others will, be mustered out, although there has been a gen'eral’tffrpreve7rrent, due largely to the determination of Adjutant-General "Bridges "to nialte" th 6 CgfflpCTW’TOnF ply or to muster them out. Captain Tuteur had worked diligently and has been ably assisted by his lieutenants,. Jerry B. Garland and Edward L. Watson, and also by his non-commissioned officers. \ The property of the company was inspected and counted in the afternoon. The arrangement in the quartermaster’s room made the counting of'the property very short work and only 15 minutes was required to count it, showing that supplies are on hand to equip 65 men and three officers with clothing, blankets, shelter tents, rifles, haversacks, mess kits, canteens, etc. CaptainToffey was very much pleased and said that in no place in Indiana did he find an arrangement that was more satisfactory or where the property could be counted with so gerat an economy of time. The rifles were given a grade of “very good,” which is the best grade given to rifles that have been issued as long as these in this state. The same grade was given to the property, the same to the appearance of the men, their promptless of formation and their steadiness in ranks. The close order drills were given as good and extended order, embracing the mechanism of fire direction and control, as fair. It is almost impossible for thorough extended order instruction to be given "in small armories, but very few companies are receiving grades as good as fair , and Captain Toffey said that he was very favorably impressed with the enthusiasm of the non-commissioned officers in this part of the drill. Captain Tuteur received a high grade on his paper work and records and was complimented by Captain Toffey for this feature. Quite a number of citizens were present apd witnessed the inspection and were enthused by the excellent results the company is attaining. Of an enlisted strength of 53 .there were 'SO men present, which is a very creditable showing. Several of t>he members came long distances in order to company-, commanded by Capt. A. B. Cray, is being inspected tonight. Lieutenant Haistead, of the company, was here to witness the inspection of Company M.