Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-09
THE NATIONAL GUARD
The New Armory and When 1t Will
Be Occupied.
The FIFTH BATTALION PRIZE DRILL
The FencibIes to Be Increased to
a Four-Company Battalion.
} FIFTH BATTALION PRIZE DRILL
NOTES OF IN 7 E r f I

81 am as positive that the troops of the
District of Columbia National Guard will.
move into the new armory building before
Wednesday next as | am that st. Naien-
tines day is not the Fourth of July said
a prominent officer of the guard, one who
makes it a point to keep informed on all
matters of interest. in conversation with
Star reporter last night. MIR. Stilson Hutch
ms the head of the syndicate that erected
the structure. has turned over TO Gen.
Ordway the keys to the same. and there
Is nothing whatsoever to hinder the move
from taking place. The building is COM
plete in every particular, with the eXcep-
tiCn Of the wainscotins on the floors above
the ground floor. and that will not be placed
I'm position until the lumber. now used as
lockers in the Center Market Armory. be-
comes available, after the vacation of the
present quarters.
Even the ircaEdescent electric lamps
have been suspended from the ceilings.
Each room Is provided with two fix lures.
similar to those now in use in the old
armcTy. which hang about one foot below
the top of the rooms. The wash rooms are
ready for use. and even the numbers have
been painted on the doors throughout the
building. The space between the wings
of the structure has been rooted over and
Ccncrcted. and is q model drill shed for the
light battery. With few hours work the
Convention Hall might be ready for use.
so, all in all, the entire outfit is pretty
snug.
The Order to Move.
1.-THE reason the removal has not taken
place before this is principally because of
the dampness of the walls the floor
Gently partitioned off for the use of the
engineer battalion. As the general does
not care to call the members of the guard
baf 1iIy bar
times for the purpose of attending mill
tary funerals. occasioned by a damp build
ing il is deemed wise 20 remain in the old
quarters until the plaster dries thoroughly.
Fer some days past the steam heat has
been sizzling away at Nancy Hanks gait
constantly. and the result must be an ex-
termination of the dampness in short Or
der. AS soon as things are in perfect SAM
tary condition the order to SHIFT from the
vicinity of 9TH street and Pennsylvania
avenue 20 9th and l. streets will be prompt
" made and / am justified in stating that
the same will issue from headquarters not
later than Wednesday.
1T is the intention of Gen. OrCway to
rcarrange. to some extent. the assignment
OF rooms. There has been nothing, anthem
tic decided on In that line up to date. The
new lockers have not as yet been painted,
hut they probably will be. The walls are
to be kalsomined after the lapse of a month
'sThe new rifle gallery certainly is ideal
in every respect and the department of
rifle practise has every reason to be proud
Of it's portion of the structure. The guard
in general should and undoubtedly Will ap-
preciate and take advantage of the oppor-
tunttes presented for the betterment of
craftsmanship. The gallery has long since
been in shape and back work will be made
up in a hurry. you may rest assured /
understand that moving figure is to be
introduced to afford practice for those who
desire to fire at other than stationary OBJ
jects. This feature will entail considerable
+. expense. but il cannot be otherwise than
q valuable addition to the gallery.
How will the move be made? Why the
most sensible plan L think would be to
have each company assemble at its pres
ent quarters in heavy marching order. The
citizens attire of the men could be placed
in the blanket bags. and after reaching the
new armory a change to civilian attire
would be the only thing necessary. In my
opinion the troops should move by bat
tuons. and each quartermaster should
SUperintend the removal of the property
OF the companies in his battalion. trans
yCrtatiOn. of course. being by nearS OF
wagons. Inside Of two hours the Center
Market Armory he vacated. and all
troop and property he in place in the new
structure. Personal property of companies
cught.of course. to be moved by the COM
pany.
work smoothly both during and after the
move and when everything and everybody
settled, / predict that our citizen sol
diery will experience lasting and unpre-
ccdented BOOM"
Fifth battalion Drills.
The only matter of interest in the fifth
battalion, and II is an all-absorbing one. is
the first annual company competitive drill
which will occur Friday evening next
AS heretofore announced in The Star. the
drill will be In accordance with program
which is to be furnished to the company
commanders. and the company winning the
prize. valuable cup. will hold the same
Dor one year and also bear the title of
champion drill company of the fifth bat
TALON. If any one company wins the cup
twice In succession the trophy is to be-
come the property of that organization
on the same evening n gold medal present.
ed by Adjt. James l.. Mock VIII be awarded
10 the winner of individual drill the
successful competitor to hold the medal
for one year and to retain final possession
of ii should he win it twice in succession.
The interpretations of the United States
drill regula tons as published by Lieut..
John T. French. fourth United States ar
tiIlery Will govern all matters of dispute.
The Judges will be Capt. Charles S. Domer
of company G.. second battalion. chairman;
Cant Harry Walsh of company a, fourth
battalion. and Capt. w. r. Horton OF the
general staff. 49,.
Inspection will count 100 and drill 900
making coo q perfect mark on the entire
program. The time allowance Is thirty
minutes. credit being given for time saved
Wherever it may become necessary ny
the limited space of the drill hall TO change
direction the company commanders will
give the proper command. continuing as
soon as possible with the regular program.
National Guard fatigue uniform will be
worn without hayonets or bayonet scab-
bards The judges will entertain no pro-
tests during the drill. and IL any arise they
must be made when reporting TO the judges
at the completion of the program. The
minimum number of enlisted men viii be
t,.cuty-scven. and only such officers who
have been duly commissioned officers of
tie company will be allowed to drill. First
sergcants will be allowed to command
rIltoons ir such companies have rot
The REQUIRED Number of officers. AT sig
nal from the Judges the companies VIII be
marched into the hail and the captain will
resort 70 the senior Judge. The captain
will hand the judge q certificate showing
the name Of the company. strength on rolls
auI strength present. The senior judge
Will then direct the captain. 60 prepare
his company for Inspection.
The competition viii occur in the Center
Market Armory drill hall ard admission is
10 be by Invitation emily. Company \. Cap
tain Jenkins. Will drill first. then company
H. Captain Pheb.is. land finally company
D. Captain England. After the announce
ment OF the judges the individual contest
will he held. with the captain OF the win