Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-15
Work Progressing Rapidly Upon the
New Armory Building.
fHE COMING COMPETITIVE DRILLS
The FencibIes Will Not Participate
at Alexander Island.
THE MER RI NJ PACK

The new home of the District of Columbia
National Guard Is rapidly nearing compile
ton. Just five weeks ago the brick work
was commenced and now the structure Is
raised to the level of the fourth and top
floor. A fortnight hence the armory will be
under roof. and then but a short space of
time will be necessary to put it in proper
shape for the reception of Gen. Ordway's
troops.
A change has been made in the original
plans. SO as to carry up the bay windows as
towers, with a large gable over the arched
entrance. The flag stan will surmount this,
and Old Glory will wave just 100 feet above
the sidewalk. The gable will be ornamental
and handsome in design, with a projecting
balcony. The roof trusses have been made
and are ready to be put into position.
Architect c. w. Sommerville is preparing
drawings Tor handsome steel bridge, to
span the space between the armory and
Convention Hall. 1t will be a striking con-
structural feature in connection with the
new building, affording ample means of
communication between the armory and
Convention Hall, which, unitedly, will form
one Of the most complete National Guard
structures in the United States.
do not become impatient" Is architect
SCmmerville's admonition to the guards
men. I'VE are working night and day and
Will have the armory ready at the very
earliest possible moment
Drills and the Fifth Battalion.
The announcement in The Star that Mai.
6uess of the fifth battalion intended to
place under arrest every man of his COM
nand absent without leave from ordered
drills has been the subject of considerable
discussion in National Guard circles during
the past week. The fifth battalion held a
Grill last Friday evening, ana, after care
fully looFtng over tine list of absentees il
was found that but six men were away
Of themselves.
I'VE don't propose to pounce on a man
Ike vulture on its prey" says Mai. Suess
we have enough of the quality of the Gu
crmber about us not to get excited over
such a little thing as a request to each man
10 come up and perform the duty he owes to
every taxpayer who helps to pay his armory
rent and for the uniform he wears"
MAJ. Suess has communicated with the
Chief OF police relative to policemen mailing
arrests OF guardsmen absent from drills
without leave.
Those men of the fifth battalion who were
absent last Friday night will receive a copy
OF the following letter:
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH BATTALION,
ID. c. N. G.
WASHINGTON. ID. c., Sept. 10, 1894.
You have been reported to me as having
been absent without leave from a duly or
dered drill 1 am satisfied that We viii not
disagree upon the point that in order to
become proficient, and to be of some use
In time of need militiamen, 1t is neces-
sary TO remain constantly in practice; fer
that purpose Friday night of each week
mas been set aside and designated drill
night" We begin at s O'Clock pm sbarp
On the first Friday We appear in full dress
and a dress parade precedes the drill;
on the third Friday We have a guard
mount before the drill and on the second
and fourth Fridays We have company drill
We eNDect al nf 1riIic
unless you are attending night school or
are working at night, when we expect to
see You at least once each month. AT all
formations except the trst Friday. fatigue
uniforms and Ieggings will be worn. In
vite your friends to witness the drills
Make up your mind that you are going
to set aside Friday evenings to carry out
the obligation you took when you enlisted;
make up your mind that you are going to
assist your officers in building up the bat
TALON that already ranks among the first
In the National Guard; give us the benefit
OF your cooperation and influence; for
influence in the community; look around
among your friends for a recruit, one that
will reflect credit upon himself, upon you
and upon the battalion.
Whenever you have a just cause, your
company commander will excuse You from
drills. He recognizes the fact that some
times your private affairs make /. impos-
sible for You to attend. In that case he
HiuSl nave an EXCUSE III WTlllng from you.
That Is all we require, either attend drills
or have yourself regularly excused.
Do not make it necessary for me to have
you arrested on drill nights and dragged
through the streets like a common culprit
and that Is exactly what will happen IL
you persist In remaining away without an
excuse. i ask you do not force me do this
/ am satisfied that you are man enough
after the frank statement I have made to
you to either attend drills in the future
or be regularly excused by your company
commander.
You will soon find that the drills instead
OF being an onerous duty are delightful
pleasure. which We want every member of
the battalion to share. Hoping to see you
often, / am
Very respectfully.
OTTO L. 81 ESS,
Major Commanding Battalion.
The Richmond Competitive Drill.
1t Is almost a certainty that Washing
ton cOmDanfeS will he allove1 Ia eutar the