Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-30
DISCIPLINE MTHE VARIOUS COMPANIES
The New Martial Produces NJ
2 merous Defects in Drill.
THE ORDER OF DRILL

weeks drill, when an inventory was taken
| of all of the companies and each of them
was reported to be able to furnish at least
| tWenty-efght men, four more than the neccs-
sary number required for platoon move
ments. This question settled. Maj. Ross,
| who has the task every year Of preparing
| the drill program, concluded to test the
| ability Of the two lieutenants and the fourth
end fifth sergeants, and add a novelty to the
| other attractions, thereby stimulating a
greater interest in the competitive drill by
adding platoon movements to the regular
drill features used in the last two competi-
| tons.
Each year the standard of the drill put
up by the cadets seems to outclass that of
the previous year, and their ability is taxed
accordingly. Three years ago the companies
competed for the prize on the stage Of one
OF the local theaters. where their movements
were limited to the manual of arms, loadings
and firings ard a few Of the simpler foot
movements. But beginning with the sum-
mer or 1884 new departure was inau-
Surated by holding the drills in the base
ball park, where the companies were given
wider range and drilled in company foot
| movements extensively. After presenting
| fine drills in the last two years it was deem
| ed practicable to further test the cadets
ability by introducing platoon movements
| into thia years work.
Order in tile Competitive Drill.
| At noon Wednesdaythe captains Of each
battalion assembled in Principal Lanes
office at the Central High School, and drew
! lots to determine the order in which their
| companies should appear for drill in the
approaching annual competition AS the
frst battalion drilled the first day last year,
1t Is the second battalion's turn to drill first
this time and the order in which the cap
tains VIII drill their companies Is as follows:
First, company G. Capt Harry Hurst; sec
cnd, company F., Capt. Newton Ferree;
third. company F, Capt. Nelson Gapen, and
fourth. company H, Capt. Arthur E. Berry,
| on the first day; and first, company A, Capt
William Won Bayer; second, company D,
capt. Howard Hoge: third. company B,
capt. Frank G. Daniels, and fourth, COM
day.
Chances of the Different Companies.
The general custom each year is to allow
the captains to take up the different move
ments at their own discretion. until they
have become thoroughly used to them, and
then the captains are handed the programs
to which they closely adhere. until after the
competitive drill. The companies are now
far enough advanced in drill for one to form
an opinion as to their standing by judging
IRON rom the manner in which they have taken
amount of energy displayed in endeavoring
to perfect them
The first battalion. composed of the four
undoubtedly behind the standard of drill
SHOWN by the other four companies, COM
prlslng the SECOND. battalion While this
may not be &c. 1t Is not at all improbable, as
they nave been deprived of from one-uuarter
to half of their drill period. two hours,
each Monday and Thursday, every fair drill
day during the last two months, by ordered
battalion drills, which practically amount
to nothing, SO far Is the individual company
drilling is concerned and very little outside
OF that, While the two companies at the
Eastern High School have drilled as a bat
talon only once, and companies E and H OF
the Business and Western schools, respec-
lively, have lost no time in this manner.
The Various Companies.
Company A Is doing fairly well, but not
as well as expected. The main trouble
seems to lie in the fact that the boys are
slow to catch on and have no company
spirit. But this is no fault Of their captain.
Mr.. Won Bayer, who is hard and con-
scientious worker and one of the best
drilled soldiers in the regiment. He is in
for work. and it will not be his fault if the
company does not make good showing in
the final drill. The manual Of arms is well
executed, 1t being characterized by a de-
cided cadence, while the foot movements
are uneven and irregular. In his two
lfeutenants, Maxwell and Talbot, Capt
Won Bayer finds two competent and pains
taking officers, who are not likely to have
any trouble managing the platoons. Disc-
pine III CnlS company IS marked ana or a
higher standard than in any other Central
company.
Capt. Frank c. Daniel Of company B is a
steady commander, and is working with an
energy and vim that is bound to result in
good results. His best points are the fine
ones, and everything he has attempted so
far has been taken up slowly and carefully,
but surely. AS a result Of this systematic
work, he has accomplished as much, if not
more, than any other captain at the Cen
trail. The foot movements Of this company
are very commendable and the manual is
graceful and noiseIess. First Lieut.. Wood
is competent officer, as well as is Second
Lieut.. Hanson, each of whom seems thor
oughly capable of handling a platoon. Dis
cipline and steadiness in this company is
not what it ought to be, but there is yet
plenty Of time to improve.
Company c IS In charge Of Capt. ]. N.
Hoover, a bright and prudent officer who
makes things hustle. His work is quite a
contrast to that of company B in the fact
that he has the general movements better,
but shows a decided lack in the develop
ment of minor and fine points. However,
with a little more carefulness his company
will rank with the next best one, as 1t has
seems to be the greatest fault, while his
manual and foot movements are generally
good Lieuts. Kummel and Howe are
young and energetic officers, and are capa-
BILE Of performing the duties Of their posi-
tons satisfactorily. Everything that is
undertaken is praeticed with a great deal
OF zeal and push. SiInlS company shows
more spirit than any. of the rest, and is not
lacking in confidence. The foot movements
are generally good, but the manual is not
thoroughly tactical
An Old ,Pri.e Winner.
Company D, TWICE "a prize winner. Is not
progressing as well as the other COM
panies, and although Capt Hoge is work.
ing hard, the results of his labor Go not
justify his efforts, The company's disci-
pline is poor, while. many of the men are
below the average, and seem to hinder the
progress of the cotnpany, thereby account
is respectable, but Slow, and the foot move
ments are raggeds In neuts Plat and
pair Of sutalteriis.ain the regiment, and
with their elficient, servics he should OF
find any trouble When he takes up the
platoon evolutions. However good the Off
GERS may be, the standard of drill depends
largely upon tho men, and it will Lot be
the fault Of the former if the proper stand
ard IS not attained before the competitive
drill is at hand.
Second Battalion.
As company z of the Business High
School is the largest one in the regiment,
it may not be expected to be as far ad-