The times., 1897-05-28
CENTRALS TOOK THE FIELD
The High School Cadets Contest
at the Ball Park.
A GREAT CROWD ATTENDED
Enlivening Scenes at the Opening of
the Annual Drill for Military Hon
TALON Companies K, f, G, and I'll
VIII Drill This Afternoon.

The annual competitive company drill
of the High School Cadets was COM
menced at the National Bah Park yes
terday afternoon, at O'Clock, and viii
be concluded this afternoon.
The scene presented was, indeed, an
inspiring one The day was ideal and
the mammoth grand stand was crowded
The companies TO drill yesterday were
those Of the Central High School, Companies
a, o, C and D, which comprise the First
Battalion An of them did well, and re-
flccted much credit on their instructor,
Major Burton r. Ross, and his assistant
Major Harry T. Domer. 1t is difficult
matter to Judge from the grand stand of
the relative merits Of competing COM
panies in a military drill, and especially So
when the organizations are nearly on an
equality in the matter of correct instruo-
tion, hours of practice, etc.
10 was thought by many OF those
present, that Companies A and d
made the best showing for the first day..
and that the companies OF the Second
Battalion will, as one of the young soldiers
expressed himself, 'have TO do some tall
drilling TO get the prize
The judges for the contest yesterday were:
Capt. Constantine Chase, Lieut. Gordon G.
Heiner, and Lieut. Adrian s. Fleming, of
the Fourth United States Artillery, Z. $. A,
now stationed at the Washington Barracks.
Capt. Chase has, for year after year, been
acting as chairman of the board OF judges
in these competitions, and it would seem
that those in authority would as soon think
sf having a drill without arms, as having
kprograIn printed without mentioning there
ON his name as one of the mentors
The first company TO appear on the field
was Company b, under command of Capt
Hausen. As required by the program, Capt
Hausen reported to Capt. Chase, had his
company stack arms, marched them to the
rear few PAGES, and having prepared his
company, by giving the command, Front,
open files,'' put the boys through the .exer-
cises which are executed for the pur
pose Of giving the soldier good set-up, and
keeping his muscles III condition These
exercises were well executed as was also
the manual OF aims. Some of the firings
which followed were somewhat ragged,
but, as whole, were fair. The foot move
ments of the company were good, although
the step at times was uncertain. Left
front, into line, without halting, was well
done.
Capt. 4 p. Tiskel then marched on the
drill ground with Company c. He formed
his company to the left, brought them 10
halt, and Saluted the Judges with his
company at an order He saw his mis-
take and immediately brought his boys to
present and again reported. The eX-
ercises were well executed and the manual
had in it more snap and precision than
shown by the preceding company. The
first volley fire was good, but the second
and fourth dragged somewhat, showing
slight nervousness.
After the fire, lying down and align
ment Of the company to the rear, the
captain gave Command, right forward
fours right while the command should
have been ''fours right the program
calling for a formation by the flank
in column of fours. In bringing rear four
into line in double time, the men caught
step well In fixing bayonets on while
marching the intervals between men were
closed and men crowded badly. In the
platoon movements, the distances were
not well kept and caused Grove ding The
chiefs Of platoons worked wen together
and as whole the drfll was a good one.
Capt. J Ray then brought his Company
a on the field, and from the reception
1t received it was plain to see that Com
pany 4 has a large following in the
Central The manual >of this company
was good; the men Were unusually well
sized and set up; the double time move
ments were eXcellenuy executed and in
good cadence, though the step was short
In forming platoons TO the left and halt, a
number Of men flinched and started to
throw up the piece. the movement being
from halt The drill of c as d whole
was excellent, the greatest fault being IA
tendency to crowd and a failure to keep
proper intervals toy the guides.
Capt. II II Platt and his company, d,
executed the exercises and manual well;
their firings were good and the men un-
usually steady in the foot movements. In
executing double time some of the men
carried their hands across the body IN
stead Of to the front and rear, and the
first lieutenant carried his sword incor-
rcctly once in taking his place before his
platoon in double time. The drill In it's
entirety WAS good. and Will stand well in
comparison with Company A.
Companies E, f, and II will drill
today. commencing at 4 p. M, and the
Nailor medal and flag will be awarded
with an enthusiastic accompaniment of
cheers and martial music