Public Law 54–310

That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized to issue to the governors of the several States and Territories such number of Springfield breech-loading rifles, caliber forty-five one-hundredths of an inch, as are now required for arming all of the regularly organized armed and equipped militia (generally known as the National Guard) of each State and Territory that are not

Proviso.

Return of arms now used.

already supplied with this arm: Provided, That each State or Territory be required on receipt of the new arms to turn into the Ordnance Department, United States Army (without receiving any money credit therefor), an equal number of the arms now in its possession, except its Springfield rifles, caliber forty-five one-hundredths of an inch.

Sec. 2.

Annual Report of arms issued.

That each State and Territory shall hereafter make an annual return to the Secretary of War of all the arms issued to them under this or any former Act of Congress as provided for in the Act of February,

Vol 24, p. 401.

eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, making a permanent annual appropriation for arming and equipping the militia.

Sec. 3.

Purchases of army supplies for militia permitted.

That any State or Territory may, in addition to the stores and supplies issued under the provisions of this Act and the Act of February, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, purchase for the use of its national guard or reserve militia, at regulation prices for cash at place of sale, such stores and supplies from any department of the Army as, in the opinion of the Secretary of War, can be spared.