Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-20

W~/ 1857 are commissioned
officers while 1886
are non commissioned
officers; Of musicians there are 1920 The
number OF men available for military duty
(unorganized) is given at S,567,25S In CON-
mand of this force OF 0.00o men are 90 major
and brigadier generals; as a whole not an un-
fair proportion. Bot il is evident that in
some instances there are too many generals for
the privates Alabama has generals and 3
general! stsH of 95 to care for 1867 other
officers and men. California has generals
AID all general staff officers although the en-
listed men number but $50 Colorado has 2
generals and general staff of 80; there are
731 line officers and enlisted men. There are
al enlisted men in Delaware, but there are
generals with o stsf Of y. Louisiana is not
deficient in generals: there are OF them and
between them they manage to look after /. 141
men. Nevada has two generals with a staff Of
10; Ne7ada Inns 554 line officers and enlisted
men
PREPARING FOR TIE FESTIVAL
Very satisfactory progress is being made as
tc the rustic festival of the Washington Light
Infantry Corps" The festival involves great
deal of work, for the big aImory will have to
be transformed into a miniature forest More
than $50 cedar and other decorative trees will
be use Z: several hundred palm leaves are to be
br ought from the south; between 600 and 700
yards of garlands called for by the speciti-
cations; while places will be found for thou
sands Of artificial flowers. The illumination
will be on most elaborate scale, $50 tinted
electric lamps being called into service. In
addition to these will be new gas fixtures with
colored globes. The wives. daughters and
sweethear;s of active and honorary members
have agreed to manufacture the artificial flow
ers These ladies meet each Tuesday, Thurs
day and Saturday evening from to 10 O'Clock.
II
tiowermakers at work. Mr.. Heurich will do
nate from his farm the necessary trees and
evergreens. Tickets for the festival-which is
in no sense fair-wili be out in a few days.
The general festival committee consists of
Col VIM G.. Moore. president; Capt. Allison
Major, treasurer; Capt. Charles NJ. Loeffler,
secretary; Lieut.. Charles Ebert, Capt. A. W.,
Kelley, Sergeant j. X. Sutton, jr., Private Z. s.
Brandt. Sergt B. +. Kirchner and Private John
Heydler.
The following compose the advisory COM
mittee: Maj William n. Dalton. j. II. Busher,
c. ". Cochran, G. G. Cornwell, William F.
Downey, John L. Given, Chris. Heurieh.
Martin Hebner. Geo. J. Mueller, Charles
Schneider, Thomas Somerville, L. C. Wood,
Simon Wolf, Vim. 5. Roose, J. L. Barbour,
George J. seufferle, J. II. Small. jr., E.E.
White. James VI. Ford. Thomas b. Kalbfus
J. H. soule, Lieut. George H.. Harr1es and
Francis J. ONeil.
The committee on decorations is as follows:
Charles Ebert, chairman; A. W. Kelley, Charles
II. keItler. John r. Sutton, jr., A. G. White,
q: II; f. Davis, Frank S. Crown. E. S; Brandt,
Vim. E. Thompson, Henry c. James, Frank L.
Ourand, b. Frank Kirchner, Everett L. Phil
lips, Claude Z Haines, Harry E. Baden. John
J: Dssenbrock, John II. Hey der, E. w. Zea,
H. y. Chamberlain.
''How TO SHOOT"
Lieut.. F. L. Graham addressed q well-filIed
house at the engineer corps headquarters last
Wednesday evening on "How to Shoot" The
lecture was simply intended to give some
practical hints to beginners and was entireIy
extemporaneous. Considerable attention was
devoted to blackboard illustrations. After
speaking at length on the merits and ad-
vantages Of various firearms in the United
States and foreign countries Lieut.. Graham
explained in detail the practice conducted in
the gallery. Among many other things, he
said: BE sure your sights are properly adj
justed before loading the piece. Many a prize
Is lost and won on tie, and a miss or even a
poor hit may lose match. Be deliberate and
cool in getting ready and do not be disturbed
or agitated by anything going OH about the
range. Try to school yourselves to be models
of GOODNESS. By careful study you will find
that the men who make big records are those
who are never disturbed by extraneous mat
ters- Speed is no object in an ordinary match.
1t Is better to fire five shots deliberately than
ten in a hurry"
Gallery practice has its advantages. but il
does not make marksmen. Do plenty of care
fui work IN aiming and sighting drill at home
Shooting requires an exercise of nerves. and
the nerves get tired. They must be schooled
until You get complete control of them. Study
your individual peculiarities and try to over
come those that tend to prevent good shoot
ing and improve on all those that are pro-
ducnve OF good scores. Each man must use
the kind OF sight he finds best for him. You
Ia q he 81
front sSght- Educate yourselves to remember
now your sights appeared at the last shot. In
other words, learn to call your shots This
Is one OF the secrets Of success in marksman-
ship. Train yourselves to hold the gun steady
and to pull the trigger without fiinching. Pull
the trigger by squeezing motion of the hand.
great secret in successful off-hand shooting in
to get the finger and the eye to work together.
Do not acquire loose habits or styles of shoot
ing that may not be allowed on any range and
In any match, for when you come to comply
with the strict rules that usually obtain in mill
tary matches You will lind yourself handi-
capped by your own folly. Watch the positions.
habits and methods of good shots and try to
protit by what you can clearly understand of
them A marksman's irst duty is to see that
his piece is IN the best OF condition OF all timas
and II you neglect this very important matter
you may well expect to be beaten. In individ-
ual shooting each man works for himself, but
In team work the men must be more liberal
AAeAP eoSA Ss1Si. n Aldu VINO AZ TOO eoluBn TO
assist other members of the team is not worthy
OF position on team, no matter how good q
shot he Is. Each man must look out for the
interests Of all the others"
Lieut. Graham also illustrated the different
positions in standing, the effect Of windage and
elevation, the different kinds OF front sight
used, DC.
GOING TO HAVE A FAIR
The National Fencibles fair, which will be
held at the Rides Armory. beginning Monday,
March IA, and continuing ten days, will be the
only distinctive military fair this season.
Judging from the interest that has been shown
by the Fencibles and their many friends it will
be up TO the high standard that has always
characterized everything undertaken by this
popular young company. The lady assistants
wiz comprise much Of the beauty and culture
of Washington. The general management of
the fair has been vested in a committee of
fifteen, with Capt. Domer as chairman.
Those persons who may desire to learn any
thing relative to contests for articles or who
may wish to donate or arrange to place ex-
hibits can secure all the desired information
by communicating with the secretary of the
fair committee, either by personal application
at the armory any evening from now until tho
opening Of the fair. or by letter addressed to
Mr.. j. q. Stelle, secretary.
The Fencibles hope by this fair TO clear off
the present indebtedness of the company. which
has been largely increased during the past two
years In fitting out the company for the en-
campments and competitions at Kansas City
-