Evening star., 1897-02-06
Details of the General Efficiency
Competition Decided On.
ATTRACTIVE Cash PRIZES OFFERED
Engineer Corps Riflemen to Com
pete at Sea Girt.
PARADE PLANS

Within a very few days the general ef-
fciency competition that has been the sub
ject of so much discussion for several
months past will, in all likelihood, become
a reality. At a recent meeting Of the COM
missioned officers of the brigade the report
of the committee having in charge the ar
rangements for the competition was adopt
ed. Copies Of the report are now under
preparation in order that regimental, bat
talon and company commanders may be
fully acquainted with the details of the
contest. When the copies of the report and
accompanying orders have been sent forth,
the competition will be launched. AT pres
ent it is the intention to award six prizes,
the first to be 500, the second, $50; the
third, 500; the fourth, $75; the fifth. $50,
and the sixth, s25. Each of the prizes is
subject to a substantial increase, and the
probabilities are that such will be the case.
The scoring of the competition will be in
accordance with the system followed by
the inspector general in rating the organi-
cations at the annual Inspections. An ex-
cellent showing will be scaled as 4; good,
3: fair, 2; poor 1, and bad, 0. The details
of the competition will include among other
things the condition of books and papers.
The condition of quarters will also come
in for big share of attention, one inspec-
ton to be made prior to April next, and
second some time before the coming an
nual inspection. These inspections are to
be in the nature of surprises, and, of
course, no notification in regard to the
same will be given by the inspecting Off
GERS to the company commanders whose
quarters are scheduled to meet their gaze.
The condition of arms and equipment will
not pass unnoticed, and they, too, are Ii
able to be examined and scored at any and
all times. Rifle practice will figure to a
considerable extent in the consideration of
the winners, as will the general subject of
nj q Of he
company and Of the battalion, as well as
the movements In extended order. must be
interpreted. The drills will be held on the
evening of the annual inspection and this
feature is expected to be interesting and
entertaining, not only to guardsmen, but to
The general public well. Discipline, de-
pertinent, the matter of salutes and the
general Set-up Of the men, at all times and
on all occasions, will figure in the competi-
ton.
Strict Marking Mt Camp.
The strictest marking, it is unders tood
will occur during the encampment of the
brigade at Fort Washington next June
An unbuttoned blouse the careless wear
ing of campaign hat or the failure to sa-
Lutte an officer may mean the loss of a
prize to the company of which the Offend
ing Individual may be a member. Every
company in the brigade will have an op-
portunity to put up guard mount, and
an officer is to be detailed expressly to
score the companies on their guard mount
ing. Battalion commanders are to he re-
quested to make a careful inspection of the
companies of their respective battalions at
least once each month, and regimental and
battalion adjutants will searchingly ex-
anime every paper that passes through the
hands OF each. in quest OF errors. The con-
d1ticn of the papers and the errors will be
reported
1t shall be compulsory for every COM
pany OF the brigade to participate in the
COmDptltiOn iS kely hat he
1or1ty OF the organizations will enter into
the contest with enthusiasm. The award
Will not be made until after November 30
next. The reports of the judges are to be
referred to an executive committee of five
officers, who, In turn, will submit their
conclusions to headquarters, whence the
announcement of the prize winners uill
emanate.
The committee further reported that it
would be desirable for the officers of the
brigade to become better acquainted than
Is at present the case. This could be done
through the instrumentality OF lectures and
other entertainments or by following the
example recently inaugurated by the officer
temporarily in command of the brigade
that of holding weekly receptions.
The prizes offered are certainly tempting
and worth serious effort. Several com
mands have already taken steps with a
view of moving to the fore in the competi-
tion.
At the meeting of officers to consider the
report 1t was proposed that a memorial
signed by every officer in the brigade be
rewarded to Congress, asking that the
items eliminated in committee from the
District appropriation bill be restored The
memorial was drawn up and signed hv a
number of officers, but will probably 90 no
further, as. ii Is understood the idea does
not meet with the u1bounded approval of
the powers that be.
Engineers at Sea Girt.
The District of Columbia National Guard
will. In all probability be represented and
strongly. too, at the Sea Girt rife compe-
tftions next September, Notwithstanding
the practicai determination of the inspector
general or rifle practice that the money
necessary to cover the expenses of District
teams may be put to a better use by abol-
lshlne the annual trips and extending it
on the brigade as an entirety The En-
gtneer Corps, 1t may be announced prac-
tically as certainty, will send several
teams to participate in the next meet Of
the New Jersey State Rifle Association.
Entry Will be made in the company, regi-
mental and other matches, and, if the
necessary permission can be secured. in the
Hilton trophy match. No objection will he
made to the engineers visiting Sea Girt. as
they Will pay all expenses entailed thereby
put II may be announced on the very best
authority that Major Thompson's sharp-
shooters will not defend the Hilton trophy
If the District National Guard is ever again
represented at Sea Girt by brigade team
INC d6SieSdtioH DeyOnQ all question of
doubt, will be selected from the entire
brigade, and will be captained by the in
spector general of rifle practice
Arranging for March 4.
Col. Clay has directed that a special re-
turn of each battalion of the brigade nv
company be made at once, showing its con-
dition as to strength January 81 1897. All
alterations since December 81 last are to
be accounted for by name.
Col Clay has also communicated to hat
talon commanders his decision that thew
will permit only such men as are properly
accounted for as bona fide members Of
their respective commando January q to
parade with them March 4.
The uniform to be worn by the local
brigade on the occasion Of the inaugural
parade will depend entirely upon the state
of the weather. If the latter is unpro-
pitious, field dress, with overcoats and cam
pa!gn hats, will be In order Directions
have been issued that each company com
mander make an inspection of his eoIlip.
ment, and see to 1t that the outfit of every
man Is complete In all details
Facilities for Rife Practice.
The rifle gallery is open for voluntary
practice daily, except Sunday, from I p.m.
to pm. The opportunity has not been
taken advantage of as universally as was
expected, and in this connection it NAV he
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