Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-12
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Arrangements for the Fifth Battalion
Prize Drills Under Way.
THE MEMPHIS INTERSTATE CONTEST
New Brigade Annoy Not Ready
for Occupancy.
AN ALL-N HT G U A r D

| A N "A II LIN L Vi IL l. " Y n IN u
| An inspection Of the new building to be
| used as an armory for the troops of the
| District of Columbia National Guard clear
| ly shows that the home will not be ready
| for occupancy for a little while. A large
| amount of interior work remains to be
| completed. The rifle gallery, however, IS
| almost in condition to be used and the
guardsmen will be able when once set
| tied to make up back work in that line In
| a hurry.
It is now certain that when the removal
occurs the brigade will not march from the
old armory to the new building in a body.
Boxes, probably, will be provided in which
| company property may be transported
| without being disarranged to any consid-
cradle extent
| Arrangements are under consideration
| for an opening reception at the new ar
| mory, to which officers of army and other
prominent officials and citizens will be in
| vited.
The Memphis Interstate Drill.
| The proposed interstate drill and encamp-
ment at Memphis next June continues to
boom. The latest in regard to It, accord
| ing to a special correspondent of The Star,
| is that Colonel r. B. Snowden, who is con-
| sdered the wealthiest man in Memphis
has agreed to guarantee the necessary
amount Of money to cover prizes, pro-
vided there is a reasonable chance or the
| enterprise proving a success. Colonel I. F.
Peters is at present in communication with
| the committees having control of the drills
| held in indianapolis, Omaha, Kansas City
and Little Rock, seeking information in
| regard to such affairs. The management
| of the Memphis drill. it is thought, will be
| vested in Colonel Peters. General keiiar
Anderson, the secretary, has received an
| appointment to a government office and
| will undoubtedly sever all connection with
| the drill committee.
| An AI-Night Guard Suggested.
| The suggestion In The Star last week
| that after the brigade takes possession
| of the new armory a guard be established
| each evening at the main entrance has
| met with general approval among the Off
GERS most interested in the welfare of the
| Districts organized defenders. A promi-
| nent officer of the second regiment asks
| would it not be excellent scheme to
| have an all-nght guard. A room fitted
| with sleeping accommodations he says
! could be provided a guard house and
sentries posted the first, second and
| third floors of the structure This plan
would give the men desirable experience.
/
great amount Of time is devoted to
| irstructing the men in what they should
| become familiar with in the armory, and
| the plan in question would prove great
| saver of time The guard house could also
| be made use of to contne during the even
ing men guilty of breach OF discipline in
| the company rooms or while on drill.
| Fifth Battalion Competitive Drills.
The chief topic of interest at present in
| the fifth battalion is the first annual COM
| pany competitive drill to be held on Feb
| ruary 10 Companies A, B and d are drill
| ing several times each week in Trepara-
| tcn for the contest, and the rivalry is in
| tense. Capt. Charles S. Domer Of company
| c, second battalion, will act as chairman
| of the board Of judges for the competition,
| his associates being Capt w. E. Horton Of
| the brigade staff and Capt. Harry Walsh
| of company A, fourth battalion.
Maj. Suess has prepared number OF
| stipulationS to govern the drill. Full dress
| National Guard uniform will be worn, with
| standing collars, white gloves and black
| shoes. Enamel patent leather footwear
| will not be allowed. The trousers and coats
must fit WELL and the hair of each man be
| neatly trimmed. Rifles with barrels burn
| ished or stocks Vanished or lacQuered will
| not be permitted to be used. If it is as
certained on good authority that any rifle
has been cleaned by a person other than
the soldier to whom it has been regularly
| assigned, ten credits will be deducted from
the marking of the company.
| The interpretations of the United states
Drill Regulations, as published by Lieut..
| John 7 French. U. s. A, Of tho tactical
| board, will be the authority in case of dis
pute.
Each company must comprise at least
twenty-nine enlisted men and every COM
| missioned officer on its rolls. In case there
are but two commissioned officers in COM
pany the first sergeant will be permitted
| to command the second platoon. For each
additional enlisted man one credit will be
allowed.
The program will be handed to the COM
manding officers twenty-four hours before
| the time announced for beginning the drill.
The time allowance will be thirty minutes,
with an allowance of one credit for each
minute saved.
The markings are to be made in accord
ance with the following schedule: Drill.
500; arms. 10; accouternlents 10; set up, 10:
gloves, 10; collars, 10; coats, 10; trousers,
10; head dress. 10; shoes, 10, and general
appearance, 10. Total, COO. The decision of
the judges will be announced shortly after
the conclusion Of the contest. The prize is
a handsome cup of bronze and gold, which
is now on exhibition in the show window
Of the store Of a Pennsylvania avenue
jeweler.
The company competition will be follow
ed by an individual competitive drill, open
to all enlisted men in the battalion. The
sqrad is to be under command Of the cap
tain Of the winning company in the preced-
ing contest, while the same judges will
serve. The prize IS a gold medal. Col.
Cecil Clay of the second regiment has been
invited to present the trophies to the Win
ners. The contests will take place either in
the Center Market Armory drill hall or in
Convention Hall. and the presence Of the
public Is desired
Advantages of the Magazine Pistol.
Several inventors are reported to be
struggling with the problem of magazine
pistols says the United Service. The adj
vantages of such an arm are great and
obvious. So long as the powder chamber
or cylinder and the barrel are separate the
revolver cannot lay claim to the title Of an
arm Of precision Of high power. The break
in the arm where cylinder or barrel meet,
or are supposed to meet, permits consid-
cradle escape of gas, with a resulting loss
Of pressure and consequent reduction of
velocity. Any attempt to increase the We
locity by the use Of longer and more pow
erful ammunition adds unduy to the
length and weight of the without
| 1,tr