Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-13
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Gen. 0rdway's Position in Regard to
the Memphis Drill.
COMPANIES And THE BRIGADE CAMP
Steady Progress Made in Preparing
for the Coming Contest.
OTES OF INT r E S T

\ ~ L T. . " r L N L T. II II . i
If every company in the District National
Guard should suddenly develop intense de-
sire to undertake a pilgrimage to Memphis
for the purpose of participating in the in
terstate drill which is to be held there
next month Gen. Ordway would offer no
objection. and, of course, he has no OBJ
lection to make as to the two or perhaps
three companies that may reasonably be
expected to go to Tennessee in May. Pro-
vided that the military efficiency of the
companies is not diminished, the command
ing general is quite careless to where
they go; he would not be disturbed if the
proposition to travel involved a tour OF
the United States or a journey to Honolulu
or Sitka or even that ancient headquarters
of the first Alaska cavalry, Point Barrow,
provided that all things are done deoently
and in order and with proper regard for
the goodly repute of the District of Co
lumbia.
1t may Furthermore be stated that Gen.
Ordway will not exact from companies go
ing to Memphis any pledges as to attend
ance ct the brigade camp at Fort Wash
3ngton in June. There has been an i'm
preston abroad that the general would de-
cline to permit any of the companies to
manding officers guaranteed satisfactory
attendance at the brigade camp, but the
very positive statement made by the gen.
eral to a Star reporter yesterday evening
reveals the real status.
Companies desiring to go to Memphis
will undoubtedly receive the necessary per-
mission" said the general, but they will
have to show up in our brigade camp also.
You may announce positively that COM
panies having less than an average of 10
per cent of their membership in brigade
camp will be mustered out of the District
National Guard with all possible CELEBRITY
after the closing of the encampment."
The situation is now perfectly plain
Interest In the Memphis Drill.
The Memphis interstate drill continues
to boom. The champion National Fenci-
hles ara already putting up really beau
tiful drill, Notwithstanding the presence
of a great deal of raw material in the
team, and. those familiar with the history
of the company freely express the opinion
that the company which will drill on the
Memphis field will far surpass all the
former representatives of the organization
at interstate competitions. Capt. Domer is
displaying unusual energy in the work of
training his men.
The Morton Cadets are steadily moving
onward and upward, and mean to be very
near the top of the ladder at the finish.
Nightly drills are also being held by the
states that if Gen. Ordway will permit
him to go into camp at Fort Washington
with a comparatively small company his
team is going to Memphis without doubt
The Hibernian Rifles have dropped from
the list Of possibilities. The Emmett Guard,
at its annual meeting. which occurs Tues
day evening next, will take decisive ac-
ton in regard to the proposition that the
company send a team to Memphis.
The Vicksburg Southrons will be among
the competing companies at Memphis.
This will be the first appearance Of the
organization at an interstate drill since
the contest held in this city in May, 1887.
The Southrons have never sent out team
since the adoption Of the new drill regula-
lions, and the showing they will make at
Memphis is, therefore, awaited with con-
siderable interest.
A Change In the Rules.
There has been slight change made in
the rules of entry governing the Memphis
drill. Glass has been changed so as to
read: Companies that have never won or
been awarded first or second prize in inter-
state drill,'' instead of Companies that
have never won or been awarded prize
in interstate drill"
This action was taken because certain
companies that desire to enter the drill
have taken third, fourth and lesser prizes
in "other drills, and yet are of the opinion
tina. they should not be required to COM
pete with companies in class A, the drill
for the championship.
1t is proposed to have great military
parade and review during the encampment,
such one as has never before passed
through the streets of Memphis. Already
electric lights are being placed in position
in order that the city may be brilliantly
lighted al night throughout the drill period.
The Memphis Cycle Club has definitely ar
rar ged to hold a big race meet May II.
The Omaha Guards, who have taken
prizes at every drill they have entered, will
compete at Memphis, having posted the
forfeit.
JnnitOrs at the ArmOry.
The question of janitors, or rather lack
of such employees, is the cause of much dis
cussion at the armory. At present the
members of the various companies are in
the habit of sweeping and cleaning the
rooms and leaving the refuse matter in
the corridors, where it remains. Only one
man is employed at the building as janitor
now, and it is physical impossbility for
him to keep the structure in proper con-
dition.
A scheme has been preached providing
for the employment of four men, to be
paid from fund which, it is proposed,
shall be raised by assessing each COM
pany and each staff a certain amount
monthly. The plan will probably be adopt
ed and the cause for lack of cleanliness
thereby removed.
Use of Penalty Envelopes.
The attention of organization command
ers has been called. in circular letter,
to what is described as the growing mis-
use of penalty envelopes for other than
official correspondence, for which alone
they are intended. Notices of meetings of
officers or other associations, of recep-
lions, fairs, theatricals, or other entertain
ments, or invitations to any of these, 1t
is stated, are not official business and
must not be sent through the mails in
official penalty envelopes.
The penalty envelope, the circular con-
tinues, are to be used only for such cor
respondence as relates to what law and
regulation make the official business Of
| the National Guard: and only by such
members of the guard as the same author
| ity or the requirements of the service
empower.
Second Battalion Camp Mess.
A meeting of the commissioned officers
| of the second battalion vas held recently,
| for the purpose of making arrangements
| in regard to the mess at the coming bri-
gade eneampment. A committee compris-
| ing Lieut. r. A. Foster, Lieut.. 7. S. King
and Lieut.. R. McMurray was appointed to
| ascertain the number of men of the battal-