dier-General Melvin H. Byers, Adjutant General, on the State camp ground, Des Moines, Iowa, on dates as follows:

Fifty-sixth Infantry, Colonel William B. Humphrey, commanding, and the Fifty-fourth Infantry, Colonel Frank W. Bishop, commanding, from July 14 to 21st, 1904, inclusive.

Fifty-fifth Infantry, Colonel James Rush Lincoln, commanding, and the Fifty-third Infantry, Colonel William G. Dows, commanding, from August 26 to September 2, 1904, inclusive.

The encampments for 1905 were regimental encampments, held on the State camp ground, Des Moines, on dates as follows:

Fifty-sixth Infantry, Colonel William B. Humphrey, commanding, from July 6 to 13, 1905, inclusive.

Fifty-third Infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Hubert A. Allen, commanding from July 15 to 22, 1905, inclusive.

Fifty-fourth Infantry, Colonel Frank W. Bishop, commanding, from July 24 to 31, 1905, inclusive.

Fifty-fifth Infantry, Colonel James Rush Lincoln, commanding, from August 2 to 9, 1905, inclusive.

The reports of regimental commanders with their recommendations on the above camps, are published in this report, and merit the careful consideration of the Guard.

First Signal Company encamped for the year 1904, from August 26th to September 2d, inclusive, with the Fifty-third and Fifty-fifth Regiments. For the year 1905, with the Fifty-fifth Regiment, from August 2d to 9th, inclusive.

INSPECTIONS.

There has been an annual inspection of the Guard by the Inspector General's Department. Also by Major J. A. Olmsted of the United States army, retired, on duty with the Guard, as provided by General Orders No. 71, War Department, series of 1903.

The report of Colonel John R. Prime, Inspector General, is full of valuable information and good suggestions, which merit careful consideration. I recommend that the rating of organizations hereafter be as follows: For those obtaining a marking of 90 per cent or better, to be classed as excellent; those of 75 per cent or better as good; those of 60 per cent or better as fair and those falling below 60 per cent, unsatisfactory and subject to muster out for inefficiency. The reports of Inspectors to show classification only.

It is further recommended that the time for holding the annua inspection of the Guard at the home stations, be changed to the fall months, as the troops will be found in better condition for inspection then than at any other time of the year, and it would greatly lessen the work of company commanders if the inspections were made at that time, when the maximum strength, efficiency in drill and discipline of their companies are at their zenith for the year.

Following the encampments for a month or two, there is a general

lack of interest and a falling off in attendance at drill which is a natural reaction that follows the more active camp service and it is believed if the inspections were made at this time they would stimulate interest and bridge over the time that is now more or less a loss to the service. Holding inspections at the time of year as heretofore, January, February and March has greatly interfered with the work of company commanders in preparing their companies for the annual encampments and for practice on the rifle range. It is now proposed to have a regular course of indoor rifle practice for each company, to begin January 1st and continue up to the time for opening of regular practice season on the range, May 1st. Many of our companies have special prize drills between individual soldiers, squads and platoons which interest their men and have proven to be of very great benefit to the service, and the best time to conduct these drills is in the winter months. All recruiting is discouraged on the part of company commanders until after inspections and as to this they can scarcely be blamed, as every recruit reduces their percentage, therefore the sooner the inspections are held and the recruiting begins, the better it will be for the service in general. There should be as few enlistments as possible after the early part of the year and previous to encampments, and if this can be encouraged and brought about by earlier inspections, we will have accomplished a world of good for the Guard. The weather conditions are more favorable to fall inspections, both in the attendance and convenience in travel for inspecting officers. In the spring months prior to the annual encampments would be a good time to hold these inspections, but it is proposed to use this time for inspections conducted by regimental commanders.

I further recommend that these inspections be made by the United States Army Officers on duty with the Iowa National Guard, or by special detail of an officer from the United States Army, on the active list, assisted by the Majors of the battalions. This would result in a saving of over $1,000.00 to the Guard fund annually, as the United States Army Officers would be compensated for their services by the general government.

That the markings and grading at these inspections be made by the Army Officer and not given out in advance of their publication in orders from the Adjutant General. That there be an annual inspection of the companies at their home stations by the regimental commanders or by a field officer or officers detailed by them, and it is suggested that these inspections be made just prior to the annual encampments, as the good of the service requires that regimental commanders should have a personal knowledge of the condition of their companies at this time, to assure more efficient work at the camps.

SURGEON GENERAL'S REPORT.

Colonel Wilton McCarthy, Surgeon General, deserves much credit for the advance steps taken by his department. The faithful and

efficient work accomplished by this department can only be fully appreciated when applied to the troops in active service.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

RIFLE RANGES AND INDOOR RIFLE PRACTICE.

To further promote and encourage rifle practice, it is recommended that companies be allowed out of the annual appropriation for the Guard, one hundred dollars per year, for the construction rental and maintenance of company rifle ranges, and for the construction of regimental rifle ranges, five hundred dollars per regiment, and for rent and maintenance of same, two hundred dollars per year.

For indoor rifle practice it is recommended that the State furnish each company with at least one Pope rifle barrel, .22 caliber.

These barrels are the latest invention for indoor rifle practice and the states which have adopted them, recommend them very highly.

This barrel has the same sights and can be adjusted to the stock of the .30 caliber magazine rifle, giving the soldier practically the same rifle for use in both his indoor and outdoor rifle practice.

They have the further advantage of reducing the expense for ammunition to the minimum, a saving that would more than pay for the cost of the barrels in one year.

ARMORY RENT.

The present maximum allowance for armory rent for companies and bands, three hundred dollars per year, is ample for bands, but not enough for companies. The large amount of floor space required for drill, and rooms for care of military property, necessitate larger armories than can be secured for the small rental of twenty-five dollars per month. This armory question is one of vital importance to the Guard, and should be met by a liberal appropriation from the State. I therefore most earnestly recommend that there be allowed each company annually for armory rent, lights, water, fuel and janitor services, the sum of six hundred dollars.

COMPETITION IN RIFLE PRACTICE.

Special attention is called to the reports of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas F. Cooke, Acting General Inspector of Small Arms Practice, in relation to the Iowa Rifle Team in the National Competition at Sea Girt, New Jersey, and Fort Riley, Kansas.

The National Competition in rifle practice was inaugurated three years ago by Act of Congress to encourage rifle practice in the Army, Navy and National Guard of the various states. The first Annual Competition was held at Sea Girt, N. J., in 1903. The second at Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1904, and the third at Sea Girt, N. J., in 1905. At the first competition nine Army, Navy and National Guard

teams competed. The second year eighteen teams competed, and the third year thirty-seven teams competed, the account of which is given in Colonel Cooke's report.

The concensus of opinion is that these competitions have greatly aided and stimulated rifle practice throughout the country.

The lowa National Guard should be put on an equal footing with other states by ample appropriation to cover expenses preparing for, and taking part in these competitions.

Further attention is directed to the report of Colonel W. H. Evans, General Inspector of Small Arms Practice for the year 1905, and the report of Colonel W. E. H. Morse, late Genera! Inspector of Small Arms Practice for the year 1904.

That there may be more harmony, unity of action, and greater development in rifle firing, it is recommended that there be an annual competition by regiments, between company teams of five men from each company on regimental rifle ranges under the direction of regimental commanders or such officers as they may detail, assisted by the officer of the small arms practice department assigned to their command. This would open the way for regimental commanders to include instruction as well as competition at these meetings, which has been the expressed desire of some of our regimental commanders. All trophies. could be competed for as now, except those competed for by regimental teams. At the close of the regimental meeting or competition, regimental teams of twelve men and three alternates to be selected to represent the regiment in State competition between the regimental teams of the entire guard, and from those competing at the State competition to be selected the State rifle team of twelve men and three alternates to represent the State in National Competition for that year. All competitions to be closed in time for the State team to have practice together before the National Competition begins, that they may perfect themselves in team work before participating in the National Competition.

REGIMENTAL AND COMPANY CLERK HIRE.

The paper work as now required of the regimental and company commanders, under the increasing demands of the service, has become so burdensome that the State has lost the service, by resignation, of many of her best officers, and for the State to longer require this service without some compensation, would be a great injustice to these officers. It is therefore recommended that regimental and company commanders be allowed annually for clerk hire, postage, stationery and other necessary expenses in their offices, the sum of one hundred dollars, to be paid semi-annually.

STAFF. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

That the staff of the Commander-in-Chief be selected from the officers of the Iowa National Guard.

The Adjutant General to be appointed by the Governor.

The Assistant Adjutant General on the recommendation of the Adjutant General, appointed by the Governor.

The remainder of the staff to be filled by detail from officers of the Guard by the Commander-in-Chief. Detailed officers so serving to retain former rank and assignment.

ELECTIONS.

That field officers be elected by vote of the line officers of their regiments.

BOARDS.

That military examining boards, for examining officers for commission, be appointed for a period of not less than one year.

RE-ENLISTMENTS.

That the time for re-enlistment to make service continuous, be extended to ninety (90) days.

PRACTICE MARCHES.

That in place of the annual encampments for the year 1906, there be practice marches, combined with such maneuvers as the terrain of the country marched over would permit.

The regiments to be mobilized at a central point in their respective territories and from there the march to begin, and end at a point having ample railroad facilities for the return of the troops to their home stations. Troops to be reviewed by the Commander-in-Chief on the last day completing tour of duty.

Section 18, Militia Act of January 21, 1903, reads as follows:

"That each State or Territory furnished with material of war under the provisions of this or former acts of Congress shall during the year next preceding each annual allotment of funds, in accordance with section 1661 of the Revised Statutes as amended, have required every company, troop, and battery in its organized militia not excused by the Governor of such State or Territory to participate in practice marches or go into camp of instruction at least five consecutive days."

*

*

*

SERVICE BADGES.

That service badges be awarded for long and faithful service, and to encourage continuous service in the Iowa National Guard. It is recommended that the State furnish, at the cost of the State, service badges to be given to officers and enlisted men who have served in the military service of the State for five or more years.

For five years' service, a "silver badge," and for each five years'