Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-01-02

during the present session Congress will
be asked for an appropriation, probably
| 1000. to be expended under the direction
| OF the National Rifle Association, the OBJ.
Ject being to encourage interstate rifle
competition. By this means 1t Is hoped to
secure the attendance Of teams from all
parts Of the country at the annual matches
at Ordway
Energy Among the Engineers.
1t is rumored that stir up, far reach
ing in its character, is soon to occur
throughout the engineer corps. and par
ticularly in Company A. The Engineers
| have been inclined to crfticise the infantry
organizations Of the Guard on the ground
| that the latter know little or nothing in
regard to craftsmanship. On the other
| hand the attention Of the Engineers Is TO
| be called to the fact that even though they
| may be experts in shooting. 1t Is painfully
apparent that the large majority of them
| are not yet familiar with the rifle salute,
| to say nothing CT other details. The En-.
| gfneers are now going to drill, say those
| who are in a position to know, and drill
| as they never drilled before.
Concert During Inaugural Week.
At a meeting of the Officers Association
of the I'd Regiment Wednesday evening
last, Lieut.. Col. Urell submitted propo-
| sition that the I'd Regiment give concert
during Inauguration week. The idea is to
arrange with noted band from New York
! to furnish the music. Center Market Hall,
| 1t is expected. will be the scene of the pro-
posed concert. An adjournment was taken
| until Tuesday evening next at 1870, when
the matter will be disposed of and other
| topics OF Importance discussed.
TO Pass the Board.
| First Lieut.. F. Carroll Mattingly, Com
| pany D. 9Th Battalion, has formed a school
of Instruction for the non-commissioned Of
l Of. fhot
| mold meetings twice each week. and it is
the intention to qualify all of the members
| to successfully answer the questions of the
| members of the brigade board of examina-
| tioa
The following committee has been ap-
pointed to revise the constitution and by
| laws of Company d, 5th Battalion; First
Lieut.. F. c. Mattingly; Sergt. Clarence
Homer; Corporal kerper; Corporal ]. P.
| McGinness and Private Wallace Wood
| ward.
Company A, I'd Battalion.
| Company A, ID Battalion, will resume
drills after the holiday recess Monday
evening next. In company order Capt
| Eugene c. Edwards has announced that
| two members of the command are entitled
to medals for attendance, they being pres
| ent at every meeting and drill during the
year The faithful ones are First Sergt
William E. Thompson and Private John E
Orr.
Capt. Edwards is the first to announce
| lis intention of participating in the general
efficiency competition. He has called the
| attention of his men to the contest and
| urged them to take an active interest
| therein.
The rooms of Company A, I'd Battalion.
| are appropriately decorated with evergreen
aid holly. A Christmas tree is one of the
| features, and this Christmas eve was load
| ed with presents for all of the members
The distribution of gifts proved decidedly
amusing
| The first game Of basket ball between the
mites and Blues will be held January u.
1t will be followed by a dance and ladies
| are to be invited to attend.
Inc basket ball team of the company
] Will play match with the team of the
| l. M. Ia. IN Baltimore, January 3D.
A Model Military Rife.
In his annual report as inspector general
OF rifle practice of the New Jersey National
Guard, Brig. Gen. Bird w. Spencer takes
| occasion to speak of the rifle of the Ma
| uonal Guard The extract, which is of
decided interest, is as follows:
| Il nave personally given the Krse-Jorp
enseh Two years test at Sea Grit and
| nave discussed its merits with officers of
| the National Guard Of other states. as well
as ofhcers of the United States army. 1
! nave visited the rifle ranges located a.
various posts of the United States army. at
| Fort Niagara. Plattsburg N Y. and at
| Governors Island, n. Y | have this wear
| Witnessed the rifle practice of a portion of
| the troops at two of these places all of
| which practice was had with the Krag-
Jorgensen rifle.
| My conclusions on this subject lead me
| to the suggestion that a model military
| rifle for the National Guard is not accom-
pilshed In the Krag-Jorgensen, the Win
chester, or the Savage rifles of 3O-caliber
| Inc question then arises, What is the best
| rifle for the use of the National Guard of
| the various states? And after a discussion
| OF the subject with various officers and
r1femen, l have come to the conclusion
| that model military rifle for the use of
| the National Guard must first of all be a
simple-action. single-loader. 1t should be
| OF :'S-caliber, with an improved Springfield
| action, improved firing pin. stronger breech
! block and more rigid kan latch, using a
| 300-grain jacketed bullet, with an eouiya-
| lent In nitro powder of % grains of black
powder This would provide a rifle of mod
crate weight and one much more useful for
drill purposes. 1t would also be much safer
| in the hands of new recruits. The recoil
which now attaches to the Springfield 40
caliber would be, to a great extent over
come in this proposed rifle this being one
| of the difficulties which instructors have
| to contend with, because new men become
gun shy and sore at shoulder from the use
| of the present Springfield. The Burlington
sight could be adapted to it. with some
changes, which would save the sight from
injury. This rifle would be better adapted
| to mid-range shooting, as well as to longer
ranges, because the velocity, while not as
great as the Krag-Jorgensen, would be
much greater than the present 45-caliber,
and the projectile would be of sufficient
weight to attain correctness Such rifle
as this could be made a most accurate
weapon
Notes.
A two-pounder Hotchkiss gun reached
the armory during the week. 1t is con-
| signed to Light Battery A, and has been
loaned to that organization by the Hotch-
kiss Ordnance Company.
Second Lieut.. Frederick G. Stutz has been
elected captain, Sergt F. l. Beach first
| lieutenant. and Sergeant Harry T. De Groot
second lieutenant of Company d, Sd Bat
talon.
Notwithstanding the stipulations of gen.
eral orders No. 10 to the contrary, officers
may be included in the personnel of teams
| that compete in the company, battalion and
regimental matches.
Never-Heard-Of Price.
We can hardly believe it ourselves S1.IO
| for o-lb. box creamery butter at Christmas
| time. James F. Oyster, 300 Penn. ave-