Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-25
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Street-Riot Drills to Take Place Next
Thursday Morning.
INCREASED EFFICIENCY SOUGHT.
Changes Being Made in the First
Regiment Staff.
NEWS AROUND THE ARMORIES

More than a little popular interest has
been manifested in the street-riot drills
which have been announced to take place on
Thanksgiving day in the morning, and it is
quite probable that Col. w. G. Moore and
Lieut.. Col NJ. E. Urell will find the rfaneuvers
| of the first and second regiments, respective
ly, hampered by the multitude of spectators
which will surely be attracted TO the vicin-
tiles in which the two commands will drill.
Just what streets will be selected as most
suitable for the purposes in view is at pres
ent unknown to any other than the regi-
mental commanders and thay will probably
keep the Information to themselves The
few preliminary arrangements necessary
are being attended 20 :tnd by Monday or
Tuesday every officer will know what is ex-
pected of him. The hours of assembly will
be announced at the earliest possible mo-
ment. as Will also several other interesting
facts. Somehow or other the idea has gone
| abroad that both regiments would drill at
the same time and place; they will not
COL Moore will take the first wherever he
sees fit and Lieut.. Col. Urell, who, in the
absence OF Col. Clay will command the Sec
| ond. is at liberty to do the same thing.
In the letter sent by Gen. Ordway to the
regimental commanders he said:
1T Is suggested that you fix an early
hour in the forenoon for the drill, so that
the men may be dismissed and reach their
homes before their usual dinner hour and
thereby interfere as little as possible with
| their holiday.
1T is further suggested that for the pur-
poses of the proposed instruction you con-
solidate your regiment into a battalion of
-FOUR companies, but require all officers
temporarily thrown out by such consolida-
ton to attend as supernumeraries, in order
that they may have the benefit of the in
struction.
1T is also suggested that you select some
street for the drill in which your instruc-
ton VIII be as little interfered with by We
hicles and spectators as possible.
The street-rfot drill, as prescribed In G.
y. ii, series 1872 will be followed instead
or that laid down in the United States drill
DOCK, and 1t is suggested that you imme-
ulately notify the officers of your command
so tnat they may have opportunity to pre-
pare themselves before the drill occurs"
Inc novel formations that pertain to
street-riot drill are exceedingly popniar
with National Guardsmen in other cities
Here none of the commands have done
noch more than study the tactics from the
theoretical end, but now comes an excellent
opportunity to apply the science There is
every indication of a big turnout on Thurs
day morning.
GOOD Material to Chew Upon.
In his letter as to the riot drill Gen. Ord
way says several things that should receive
immediate consideration and that will prob
ably result in growth of healthy rivalry
between the two regiments. The general
calls the attention of the colonies to the
Iact tnat, although regulations have long
been in force to make q rapid assembly of
nd
mat any practice under those resuIa ton
mas been had to determine whether thew a re
practicable, or to learn what improvements
can De suggested in the system, or to ac-
custom the men to their enforcement" And
then he proceeds to suggest that .'durino
the present drill season you practice rand
assembly by battalions The assemblies
sno9ld De ordered late in the. afternoon to be
naue at the armory in the evening so as
not 10 interfere with the daily ayocations
OF the men. Roll calls should be made ot
stated intervals to determine the ranid,tv
OF assembly and reports made to these
HeaoquaftefS OF results. Energy on the
part OF commanding officers and ingenuity
III ueVlslng new and attractive features of
dfiii ana exercise, are necessary to stimu
la.e 1ne interest OF the men, and the com
nlahuhg general trusts that his subordinate
commanding officers win achieve good re
SUITS tnls drill season without waiting for
suggestions from him as to the methods of
obtaining them" "a
1t will be interesting for tha i,,n,r.,, u
h
server TO note the eagerness or otberu,iss
OF the regiments to deserve commentator
based upon real efficiency
Enactency Will He Demnudcd
lhis movement toward greater efficiency
Is to be made general touching every de-
partment of soldierly knowledge. MANY
onicers lacE essential information on mat
ters uat are OF as much Importance as
tactical skill. and strenuous endeavor will
70. ba
satisfactory standard
IL Is expected that the uuarterma ster de-
partment will soon reach better oryapi,a-
ton, foundation for the expectation being
the buSinesS-hke energy of Mai Nj V
ilcrhey, the recently commissioned quarter
master general. Maj Tiernevs program
mas not YET been made public. but when it
does appear 1t viii be interesting
In the department of rifle practice there
IS TO be steady climbing upward Every
thing reasonable that can be done to encour-
age careful shooting will be done Mai
Harries plans for the approaching season
are Of the sort that will call upon every
inspector for renewed and increased actIv-
ity. especially in those portions of the brig
aue where the extremely small number of
sharpshooters and marksmen gives unan-
sWerable testimony of carelessness or list
lessness The weak places are to be made
strong and the work of Strengthening will
devolve mainly the regimental in
spectors. for theirs will be the responsible
ity. IT their respective regiments do we'll
in the matter of qualifications they will
receive the praise; il there is manifest lack
OF efficiency they must shoulder the blame
The District National Guard is now strong
enough to demand efficiency of individuals
and ORGANIZATIONS.
An Important Meeting. to be Held.
One of the first guns to be fired in the
campaign is scheduled to sound forth its
sonorous note next Saturday evening at
Z 80 o'clock. During the coming week
every officer in the guard will receive an
invitation to be present at the Washington
Light Infantry Armory at the time speci-
fled. then and there to meet Maj. Geo. H.
Harries, inspector general of rifle practice.
who desires to discuss with them ways and
means by which the craftsmanship record
for 1894 may be made to eclipse anything
heretofore regarded as possible. The propo-
sition to have such a meeting. where free
in interchange of ideas could take place, has
the Endorsement of Gen. Ordway and is
deemed absolutely necessary by the inspec-
tors of rifle practice. The meeting will not
be long or tedious. The object is one with
when cSory officer should sympathize and
IL is hoped ~ those who want to see the
District National Guard hold the right of
the line that absentees will be few.
Fatal Defect.
Paragraph /, General Orders. No. Is, is
sued on the 21st instant. is interesting 1t
shows the necessity for care as to re-en-
listments. The paragraph referred to is as
follows:
q. The record in the case of Private