Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-21
An Ideal Rifle Gallery in the New
Armory.
INDIANAPOLIS Is A DRILL Site
Rumored Reorganization of an En-
gineer Company.
BRITISH ARMY TRAININ G.

cupying quarters in their structures will
vacate on February l. 1t is reasonable to
conclude. therefore. that the entry into the
new armory will occur about the time
mentioned.
But little progress was made at the L
stree. building during the past week by
reason of the unfavorable weather, but
IL is thought that everything will be in
readiness for occupancy within the next
ten days.
If necessary the new rifle gallery might
be pressed into service Immediately. Those
who have examined it pronounce 1t an
ideal room for target practice, one which
Is surpassed by but few, If any, galleries
in the country. 1t is As feet wide, by leO
feet long. There are twenty windows, ten
on each side. The walls are not plastered.
but a coat of kalsomine will hide from
view the rough bricks and mortar. The
gallery is supplied with twenty targets.
behind which are $3.50 pounds of steel. in
sheets one-fourth of an inch in thickness.
These are screwed on heavy pine planks
and present perfectly even surface. The
floor Immediately in front OF the targets,
and the side walls adjacent thereto, are
covered with iron plates. while the WIN
dows nearest the targets are to be pro-
tected from the splashing Of bullets by
heavy wire netting.
Directly in front of the tagets will be a
line of incandescent electric lamps. twenty
in number, and each of fifty candle power
intensity. Behind these will be the latest
creations in the way of refiectors. Gas Jets
have also been supplied to be held in le-
serve in case the electric power should for
any reason fail.
The five targets on the right may be
lowered so as to disclose an elongated
target, marked on the steel background,
for volley firing: The room is heated by
four steam radiators. Visitors will not
be allowed on the floor, but gallery, from
which an excellent view of the doings on
the floor below may be had. has been pro-
vided. The office of Lieut.. King adJoihS
the gallery on the north.
improvements Over Existing COndi-
tiOns.
1t has been decided to do away with the
proposed pigeon loft. In the space directly
above the fourth floor, at the north end of
the building is to be located a pistol gal
lery, billiard room and a gymnasium, but
this trio will probably not be established
until some weeks after the brigade has
moved in. The lockers throughout the
building are seven inches deeper than those
now in use at the Center Market Armory.
AT least two of the organizations, how
ever. will transfer their ornamental lockers,
which are company property, from the old
to the new home.
No wall gun racks whatsoever are to be
used. as circular stands will be supplied,
and these, il Is thought, are to be located
in the Railways.
In order to make proper sewer connec-
lions, 1t was necessary to dig ditch al
most one square in length in order to reach
the sewer running through K street.
The general understanding is that each
company will be assessed certain amount
every month for janitor service. This plan
is expected to provide for uniformity in
cleaning up and to do away with many ex-
listing evils so far as the condition Of COM
pany rooms Is concerned.
The Next Interstate Drill.
II for any reason the next interstate drill
and encampment should not be leld in
Memphis, it is a certainty that Indianap-
oils will be the scene of the strife for mill
tary honors. 1t was understood at Little
Rock in July last that if Memphis did not
decide to take the drill by February 1 the
event should go to indianapolis. An inter-
state drill was held in the Hooser city in
1881 and proved social and financial sue
cess. so the citizens there are not at all
loath to again entertain the crack military
companies of the United States. In a re-
Capt. Curtis of the Indianapolis light artil-
lery stated that his city is now waiting for
the officials in Memphis to reach decision
in the matter. That Indianapolis is regard
ed in a favorable light Is attested by a COM
munication form Capt Ford of the famous
Chicago Zouaves, who said 70 Capt. Do
mer: I'VE will see you in Indianapolis this
spring." Capt. Ford also announces that
his organization has already begun drilling
for the next contest, and he adds that he
is working on a number of new and original
maneuvers, which will make even experts
on Zouave drill open their eyes.
After a rest of several months weekly
drills were resumed on Thursday evening
last by company c. second battalion. The
men worked as though in championship
FORM and Capt. DOmer was greatly pleased
thereat. This organization will certainly
participate in the next interstate contest,
and section from the light battery, and
drill teams from at least two other in
fantry organizations, propose to face the
judges.
At the conclusion Of the drill on Thurs
day evening company c. second battalion
at Capt. Domer'S suggestion. directed it's
secretary to send the following communi-
cation to Tie Star:
1--WE are pleased to accept The Stars in
vitation to it's pound party. Please find in
closed our donation-f2.
THE NATIONAL FENCIBLES.''
check for e.. equivalent to $40, accom-
panied the letter. and was turned into The
Stars charity fund.
REORGANIZATION of the Engineers.
There are rumors based on what is gen.
orally accepted as a satisfactorily firm
foundation. passing to and fro, predicting
that in the very lear future company B.
engineer battalion, will be stirred up and
reorganized Unless such action is taken,
say the knowing ores, many valuable
members of companies A and c. intend to
sever their connection with Maj. Thomp-
sons command as soon as their enlistment
expires while it would be no surprise
should at least one or two of the COM
mssioned officers tender their designations
unless change for the better soon takes
place.
Fifth battalion Drill Program.
The program for the coming prize cham
pionship company drill, open to organiza-
lions of the fifth battalion. has been pre-
pared. According to Maj. Suess, the pro-
gram is an easy one, embracing no compl-
Gated or catch movements. nor does 1t call
for any extraordinary knowledge on the
part of company commanders in interpret
ing 1t. A copy of the program will be given
to each member of the board of judges on
the LIST proximo. in order that they may
decide on uniform scale of scoring.
A Novel Enterprise Contemplated.
The first battalion is fast completing ar
rangements for a novel entertainment, to
be held in the armory at 18th and E streets
northwest beginning March Is, and en-
tending through period of three weeks.
AN Evening in Iceland is to be the title
= ~.