Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-21
Use Of Convention Hall for Drilling
Probably at an End.
GOSSIP AS TO TEE ARRANGEMENTS
Officers Plan to Promote the Bri-
gade's General Efficiency.
A NJ A T E UR RIFLE CLUB

situation the BELIEF exists, and firmly, TOO,
that the National Guard made it's final ap-
pearance in Convention Hall Tuesday even
ing last, so far as the use of the audi
forum as a regular drill Enclosure is con-
cerned. Wednesday the management of
the ice skating rink took possession and
the work Of raising the temporary flooring
was begun without delay. Rumor has it
that this flooring, which was constructed
especially to provide drill space for the Ma
tional Guard, has been laid away till sum-
mer comes again at least Active prepara-
tons for the opening of the rink are very
much In evidence, aud it is a foregone con-
cusion that drilling within the Enclosure
this evening and Monday and Tuesday even
ings of next week, dates assigned TO the
guard, will be out Of the question. And SO
matters have come TO pretty pass. say
several who are interested. Under exist
ing orders from brigade headquarters. GER
tain of the troops of the National Guard
are directed to maneuveT this evening In
Convention Hall. In the event that The
doors are opened the guardsmen referred
to, should they proceed to the hall. will in
all probability be confronted with a lake
of water, sheet Of ice or mass of pipe:
drilling on any of these foundations would
be apt to result unsatisfactory.
OF course, ii is expected that the super
intendent of the armory will make claim to
the hall, and as 1t is practically GER
tainty that the Enclosure will not be in
proper condition for military uses the pro-
gram for the official naturally to follow
would be to see to 1t that clear and
concise report covering the case reaches
headquarters bright and early Monday
morning Time alone will bring to light
the action to follow 1t has been regarded
as fact, and stated, that in case the
ice rink management attempted to usurp
the hall on any date assigned to the guard,
sentries would be posted and only guards
tod words
possession would be taken and the terms
of the contracts enforced by force. Moth
ing official in this direction can be learned.
However, it is openly stated that In this
connection the management of the Ice
rink is enjoying much amusement at The
expense of the guard.
Come ahead the management is
quoted on the sentry proposition. Well
and enjoy itself. 1t can put on skates
and hold military carnival If it so de-
sires" This Is considered merry Jest,
ard can be fully appreciated whsn It Is
session of the hail is taken. the only space
available for drill will be broad expanse
Of ice, and slippery ice at that
Discussed by the Omcers.
If the contract for the use of Convention
Hall by the guard Is not abrogated, as ex-
pected, some persons claim that the man.
agement will keep alive the fight until
February. when perhaps two evenings
week may be assigned for drilling. With
the approach Of warm weather early in the
spring the rink will, of course, be closed
ard a return to the three-night schedule
would be again possible.
At the meeting of commissioned officers
of the guard, who assembled Wednesday
evening at the request of First Lieut.. J.
Bruce Webb, quartermaster of the I'd Bat
,,1o fnry 10
general efficiency of the brigade. the arm
cry question for q time was the leading
topic under discussion, and the general
sentiment in regard to it did not remain
long obscure. 1t seemed to be the opinion
of many that no better way of promoting
the general efficiency of the guard could
be hit upon than by securing an armory
centrally located, with proper and constant
facilities for drill. 1t was also intimated
very strongly that the effect of the removal
of the brigade to the present quarters could
be made plain to every one by contrasting
on the occasions of it's parades on Wash
ington's birthday, 1895 and 1896. The
strength of the regiment February %, 1875,
was not other than creditable year
later with the atmospheric conditions IDEAL
the entire regiment did not muster more
than sufficient men for one ordinary bat
talon.
The superintendent of the armory, it is
from the management of the hall, when it
Is the intention to exclude the guard on
any night the hall may be assigned to it.
1t has been learned that no notice has as
yet been received relating to the use Of the
hall this evening.
An interesting rumor that has spread
rapidly is to the effect that a board of
medical officers will inspect the armory
building for the purpose Of investigating
a declaration that the building is unhealthy
from a sanitary standpoint.
Light That Did Not Light.
At the opening Of the meeting of officers
Wednesday last proceedings were inter-
rupted for more than twenty minutes. be-
cause the lights were, without warning.
extinguished. In explanation of the dark
ness, it was stated that a new engineer,
who was on duty, inadvertently and
through ignorance of the policy followed
since the armory has been occupied by the
guard, turned on a really seeahle force of
electricity. This proved such a surprise
that one of the switches was burned out
before it could recover from the shock.
Speaking Of light. at the assembly of the
I'd Regiment in Convention Hall Tuesday
last just as Col. Clay commenced the pre-
sentation Of marksmen's decorations, the
patriotic red. white and blue incandescent
electric lights gradually faded, and it be-
came necessary to turn on the gas. This
proceeding detracted considerably from the
harmony Of the ceremony.
Major Winthrop Alexander. inspector
general, who journeyed from Baltimore to
attend the meeting, was elected chairman,
while Captain Otto G. Simonson acted as
secretary. The 1st Separate Battalion was
well represented, Major F. c. Revells being
one of those who addressed the gathering.
Major Alexander made a number of sug-
gestions, urging, among other things, that
company commanders vary their drills as
much possible and that the setting-up
and bayonet exercises, extended order
maneuvers and guard mount, receive more
attention than has heretofore been the
rule. Major Alexander also thought it
would be good idea for each organization
to appoint standing committees, whose
business 1t should be to arrange smokers
and other entertainments, in order to keep
awake the interest of the men.
1t was finally decided to refer the plan
originated by Lieut.. Webb to a commit
tee, consisting Of at least one representa-
tive from each battalion and separate
organization. Major Alexander was named
as chairman Of the committee, and he was
directed to select his associates. It is I'M
derstood that Lieut.. Webb. Captain Edgar
A. Shilling. Captain E. c.. Edwards and
Major E. r. Campbell have already been
invited to serve on the committee, which