Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-02

CONfANt'
People who know nothing OF the enthusiasm
which animates the average militiarnan may
be surprised to learn that the A. u. wants a
little moro camp in his. Those who saw the
District National Guardsman at Camp Wash
ingtOn a week ago and wondered at his labor
and the results thereof may now wonder some
more because the guardsnan thinks tho annual
period OF camp life should be made twice as
long as il now is Camp Washington is moth
ing but pleasant memory to all save the one
or two dyspeptics who couldn't appreciate the
good food which an ultra-efficient commissary
placed before them. Everybody else was bene-
flied by the week of outing on the Maryland
bank of the Potomac, and the benefits would
have been much more marked had the life OF
the encampment been twice as long. Before
next July rolls around it is not improbable tina,
the camp may be scheduled for ut least ten
days. and. perhaps, two weeks. At the same
time il is hoped that there will be Legislation
in existence which will enable Gen. Ordway to
pay those men (not government employes) for
the time spen: IN acquiring military knowledge
which can only be used for the good of the
country. In states where the militia is ordered
into camp each man receives q moderate sum
per day-31.25 or S1.50-Gnd this will probably
be done here very soon.
IMPROVED RIFLE SHOOTING.
apparent during the encampment was one of
the things most pleasant to contemplate. When
compared with the shooting done last year
there is a good deal of room for congratula-
ton. The range at Fort Washington, of which
but little mention was made while il was in
actual use. has proved itself to be one of the
most satisfactory in the country. 1t differs in
almost every particular from the ordinary
range. As a rule rifle ranges are fat; this one
is down far enough below the general surface
TO be almost in the bowels of the earth. At
times, and especially when there is much wind,
this is an advantage. On the other hand there
is on most ranges a something by which the
marksman may level his gun-a most important
necessity-whIle in the ravine the man is left
entirely to himself to work on. the leveling
problem-a decided disadvantage. Taken
whole, however, ID would be difficult to find
anything altogether more desirable for the tyrO
in shooting than the great natural rifle gallery
at Fort Washington. A large number of WIS.,
itors. many Of whom knew whereof they spoke,
were unstinted in their praises of the complete
result, and those who appreciated the diff
cUltics of construction were decidedly eulo-
CYSTIC in their references to the energy which
had done so much with such wild material as
that ravine was originally filed with.
THE ELECTRIC TARGETS
attracted the larger share of both popular and
expert attention. and the chances are favor
able for the universal adoption of Mr.. I'LL
mans clever invention. Throughout the en-
tire week Mr.. Ullman watched the operation of
his targets and the indicators, and when the
practice was over returned to the city as happy
any man well could be. This year only the
200 and S00-yard targets were worked under
his systematic mid-range targets were of the
Laidley pattern-but next year the entire
range viii be fitted up with the electric targets
and then there will be no more necessity for
markers. The principle of the Ullman target
Is very simple; the conclusion caused by a
bullet striking any portion of the target closes
a circuit IN the immediate vicinity of the hit
and the location of the hit is shown on an in
dicator which is at the firing point. Fully five
times many men can shoot in day at the
electric target as could possibly shoot at the
regulation target
COMPETITION FOB THE BELL MEDAL
One of the most interesting features of the
rife work at the Fort Washington range, so far
as the second regiment was concerned, was the
competition for the Bell medal To encourage
careful marksInansEip-not only on any special
occasion. but throughout the seasons shoot
ing--Capt James Z. Bell. inspector of rifle
practice for the second regiment. offered a
very handsome gold medal to the enlisted man
OF his command who should make the best
score at all four ranges, 200, 800, 500 and 600
yards. Competition for this prize was very
keen. and three or four cracks thought they
had the trophy in their grasp. One of the
competitors even went SO far as TO make public
his intention to hold the medal subject to
challenge at any time. His plans were some
what disrupted by his failing to get anywhere
near the top figures. The winner was Private
Stewart, whose total was 49, Corporal Edwards
vas good second with 20. The medal Is bell
shaped and Private Edwards may well be proud
OF it, The best shot in the second regiment il
a good man with rifle.
WILL THERE BE A DISTRICT TEAM AT CREED
MOOR?
.
ity before the eyes of the local sharpsh ooter
The National Guard authorities here are en-
gagged in discussing the question as to whether
a team can or cannot be sent to Creedmoor i'll
September. 1t viii all be settled in day or
twO-it is simply financial problem. Fifteen
men would be necessary-twelve Of them to
shoot and three to hold in reserve. If it
should be decided to send a team up to Long
Island the men who wanted will be notified
by Mai Pollard, and will be asked If they can
spare the time 70 practice at the arsenal range
during the present month. The practice would
commence ut $3.50 on two, perhaps three. after
Moons in each week, AID each man would have
TO be present always or be continually absent;
there would be no middle ground. Mai. Pol
lard, Capt. Cash and Capt. Bell are all enthu-
sias;ic over the project and nothing viii be left
undone to bring the matter to a satisfactory
conclusion.
WHAT MAJ POLLARD SAYS OF IT.
Speaking of it to STAR reporter Maj. Pollard
said last night: 1.-The visit of District National
Guard team to Creedmoor would be a certainty
right now but for the financial part of the prob
lem. That is being carefully considered and
when consultation has been had with Gen. Ord
way the matter will be definitely decided 1t is
felt by some of the rIhemen that, as they would
be required to lose the time, they should not
also be required 10 incur not inconsiderable
expense. especially when they would 20 to rep
resent the entire National Guard OF the Dis
&raaN Of Ill ~, Il
TO lose the time-about one week--and pay
their expenses and entrance fees. We would
not go to Creedmoor with the idea that we
could beat everything we meet. The team
would be composed largely Of young and mex
benefited by competition with tho best rife
shots IN the country. 1t would be presumptu-
Gus for young team to hope to win any
thing from such crack aggregations as the
Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and
would reflect credit upon their organization
and on the District" The expense would be
about $50 per man. This would include tray-
cling expenses, board and entrance fees.
AN ESoISEER COMPANY
n the latest novelty which it is proposed to add
20 the guard, but there will be legislation
needed before it can be done as the promoters
would like to have ii. The present proposition
is TO have three-platoon company Differed
by a captain and three first and three second
heutenants. Each platoon is to have thirty
men IN it. The first platoon is to be com posed
of sharpshooters-the best shots in the br eade
The second platoon will be made up OF sclen-