Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-06
Peculiar Condition of Affairs Regard
ing the OrdWay Rife Range.
WILL Be MAINTAINED And IMPROVED
Some Popular Appointments Of In
spectors Under Consideration.
RUMORS OF NEW COMPANIES

The failure of the military items in the
general deficiency bill to receive considera-
ton has brought about condition OF al
fairs which while somewhat hurtful to the
pride of those who are most deeply inter
ested in rifle practice in the District Ma
tional Guard. may. nevertheless, be ulti-
mateIy beneficial to the organization The
construction of the rifle range, which was
located at Ordway last summer, called for
an expenditure of about 5000, in addition
to the amount expended thereon for rifle
practice. Nearly all of that amount has
been paid by or is charged to some two
or three individuals who are members
Of the National Rifle Association, and who
assumed the respons. bility rather than see
the plan for the equipment of a range fall
to the grouni.
The National Guard has not paid one cent
rental for the range, although it has oc-
cup:ei 1t since last spring; all the money
the lessor has received has been paid him
by those same individuals, who, to encour-
age rifle practice, incurred an Indebtedness
which Congress has practically refused to
Hquidate, although the Indebtedness was
incurred in the public interest. In view of
the congressional failure, the Rifle Asso-
cation has practically taken posS e.;slon of
Its property on the range, and this il will
lease 70 the National Guard on terms which
will leave nothing TO be desired, SO far as
the guard Is concerned.
To Maintain and Improve the Range.
The association will maintain the range
and improve it to the extent of its means
and will Do everything in its power to
bring to the range all organizations inter-
ested in shooting. The association will
also endeavOr to establish annual meet
irs similar to that once held at Creedmoor.
but II possible, on larger scale. Every
effort will. III fact, be made to place the
range in the font rank as a national insti-
luton There is something of an anach-
ronism in the idea of the holding of a
rational meeting anywhere except at the
l.Atlon1 capital. CreedmOor Sea Girt and
savannah may he all proper locat lions for
the h"!I-ng of state or interstate meetings
hut national meeting. il is claimed can
only be held here. The desired result of
course is a trifie in the future-ft means
money and the association needs funds al
though at the end of the present year there
VII! undoubtedly be a few dollars on hand
IEe association program. though a little
vague just at present, does not mean
string Of expensive trophies The associa-
ton mas an idea that a cOmpa ratively in
expensive medal or cup viii serve the pur-
pose admirably. if accompanied by a good
round sum in cash. This is the plan fol-
lowed IN England. where the prizes are
money. with either a medal or a cup to
$40" after the money has disappeared
that the individual holding the trophy at
on" time TOC such and such a rife match
The reorganization of the association viii
take place within a few days. Articles of
Incorporation VIII be secured and the as
ISOLATION placed upon 4 business and stock
holding basis. The name VIII be changed
TO The National Rifle ASsociat ton of the
United States, this being done to avoid
any possible conflict with the ghost of the
murdered National Rifle Association of
America, which for years was a fourishing
organization, but which died the death Of
the unrIghteous at Creednoor in 1891.
Some Popular Appointments
First Lieut.. Thomas S. King, inspector
OF rifle practice of the ID Battalion, and
superintendent of the rife gallery and rife
ral' &c, has been nominated by Col. William
q. Moore for commission as inspector of
rife practice Of the LIST Regiment, with the
Tfr K of captain. to fill the vacancy caused
p the recent death Of Capt w l.. Cash
Lieut. King is without question one of the
mo 81 efficient officers in the guard is non
olar with all, and the promotion meets
with general approval and deservedIy So
Lieut. Mig IS 70 be succeeded as nspec-
TOR of the "a Battalion by SerSt. Schuyler
Stokes OF Company y. ID Battalion Sergt
stokes Is one Of the expert shots of the
brigade, and Major O'Brien's command is
to he congratulated on securing such
capable successor of Lieut.. King
1t is understood that the vacant inspec-
torshlp OF the LIST Battalion will be filled
by the appointment of Private Arthur a
Bin ey of Company a, Engineer Corps
PRIVATE Rirney IS wellknown locally as
United States attorney for the District of
Columbia in civil life, and one of the
crack shots amer & the engineers in his
military capacity. The wisdom of the pro-
posed appointment is plain, without fur
Their elaboration.
Champion Company Sustains a Loss.
because of lack of time necessary to
properly look after his National Guard
cutes. Second Lieut.. Charles NJ Robin
son. jr., of Company A, Sd battalion, has
rendered his res; gnation. This necessary
action on the part Of Lieut.. Robinson is
deeply regretted by Can't Shilling and
every member of the champion military
company of the United States, in which he
was an unusually popular and efficient OFF,
GER Lieut. Robinson several years ago
Was captain of Company T., High School
Cadets, and in July, 1894, accompanied
Company a, 4th Battalion, to Little Rock
as lett guide, when that company took
first place in the maiden drill. The follow
irS spring he was elected second lieutenant
Of Company \ of the Sd. and commanded
Gle second platoon at both the Memuhis
and Savannah interstate drills The com
any will unquestiOnably feel the loss deep
ly. No consideration has as Yet been give,
regarding successor for Lieut.. Robinson
Capt. Thomas W. Williams. Company
A, LIST Battalion, has also rendered his
resignation. The reason for the action Is
thought to be that Capt. Williams Is away
from the City during the entire summer
each year, and therefore finds It imposs BILE
10 properly look after the affairs of his
command
RumOrs of New ComDnn mics.
The time draws near, so 1t Is now general
ly understood, when a new company Will
be mustered into the National Guard. 1t
will consist entirely of members and ey-
members of the regiment of High School
Cadets, and Is to be captained by W. Nor
gan Shuster, several years ago captain of
Company A of the cadets and later colonel
of the regiment. Col. Shuster is reportad
as declaring that he has received assi.r-
aLces that the commanding general will
direct the mastering in of the new organ
ization as soon as ii is in proper shane
notwithstanding the announcement several
months ago to the effect that no more new
companies would be received into the bril-
gade until the membership of the present
organizations is swelled TO the required
figure. In the event that Col. Shustcr's
command becomes body of soldiers In the
eyes of the law. II is natural to infer thar
1t will be assigned to the Sd Battalion
There Is some talk heard to the effect
tn the provisional company of High
SchoJi Cadets. under command of MajH r
Domer, o-~anizeo for the purpose of visit
ing Richmor' Va, June 30. on the occasion
Of the reunion - Confederate Veterans win