Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-14

gun. and because Of lack Of experience with
1t view 1t with very little favor. Resighted
the gun is undoubtedly capable Of good
work, but before 1t is fit to be used In COM
petition with English riflemen ON English
ranges it must be equipped with a wind
gauge.
These matters will all be discussed at
Sea Girt next month, and 1t is possible
that some sort of a conclusion may be
reached by the team captains who will as
semble at that place."
Preparations for the Athletes.
All during the summer the executive
committee of the Athletic Association of
the District National Guard of which
Capt. E. c. Edwards is chairman, has
been hard at work preparing for the open
Ing OF the gymnasium on the fifth floor
of the l. street armory building next
month.
When the classes begin work in septem-
Der the military athletes will find the GYM
basket ball court, hand ball court, paral-
lei bars. horizontal bars, trapeze, parallel
rings. travelling rings. spring boards,
bouncing boards. mats. jumping bars. pole
weights. quarter circles. wrist rolls. fenc-
ing foils, dumb bells, Indian clubs, wands
for drill, German horse, jumping buck.
rowing machine. abdominal mat, punching
bag, with ceiling and medicine ball.
The rules governing the gymnasium pro-
vide that the executive committee and the
gymnasium at all times. None but men,
bers are allowed to use the apparatus. No
member is allowed to use the apparatus
unless in gymnasium attire, consisting OF
blue shirt, blue tights and rubber-soled
shoes. The use of tobacco in any form is
strictly prohibited in the gymnasium. All
members present on class nights must take
part in class exercises, unless excused by
no nh mi n.
paratus subjects the offender to thirty
days suspension for first offense, six
months suspension for second offense and
expulsion for third offense. No member
will be allowed in the gymnasium on the
drill night of his company until the COM
mand has been dismissed Loud and bois-
ferrous talking will not be tolerated. VIC
lations of any of the rules will subject the
offender to such punishment as the execu-
tive committee may deem proper
ECHOES of the Drill"
Since their return from San Antonio, Tex
as, the scene of the recent so-called inter-
state competitive drill. the Morton Cadets
have been subjected to much criticism by
certain residents of the Alamo city. and
particularly by the San Antonio Daily Ex-
press. In the opinion Of those conversant
with the real situation. the publications in
the Express, both during the drill and since
the return of the cadets, have been mani
testify unfair so far as they related to the
Washington company. Captain Shilling and
his command are not without friends, how
ever, at the scene of the late competition"
will be seen by the following communi-
cation published in the Daily Light, an
afternoon newspaper of San Antonio:
To the Daily Light.
1 noticed in Mondays Express a two
column article on Echoes of the drill
The article is very caustic and uncalled
the decision of having pain in the alb
domen. The decision has been rendered and
the prizes awarded. How awarded is the
much mocted question. But the Express
strators, that there are others, many 9TH
ers. who say that the decision was not in
accordance with their views. I have talked
with many old soldiers, men who have
ST ent from twenty to twenty-five years, aye
almost their whole lives. in the service: men
who know every position, command and
movement of gun or man: men, not two or
ten, but hundreds. who would never have
put the Governors Guard first; no, nor sec
Ond: nor third.
The Express will find by inquiry that it is
the consensus of public opinion that the
Morton Cadets should have had the first
prize. Even General Graham is quoted as
saying he never saw finer drilled COM
pany. and yet the Express recommends
those who honestly differ to take soothing
Sirup.
Does San Antonio ever expect to have
another public contest? Do San Antonio
citizens ever expect to invite interstate
that yourself will you succeed in obtaining
outside assistance with the record of a
few such contests as was held at Riverside
Park last month?
Let the Express bear in mind that the
weight OF public opinion and especially in
Fort Sam Houston. where there are SO
many competent judges, is with the Nor
ton Cadets in their remonstrance and when
the Express prescribes dose for them 1t
invites the general public to partake of the
same meolclne. A SOLDIER.
Quartermaster Sergeant Byrne has been
nominated for commission as first lieuten-
ant and inspector of rifle practice of the
4th Battalion. The department of rifle
practice board Of examination will examine
into the qualifications Of the nominee early
next week.
AT the recent regular monthly meeting of
Company A. I'd Battalion, Mr. F. E.. De
Groot was elected an active member, and
corporal McCatharan and Privates Bouley
Horr and Hazard were re-enlisted By vote
OF the company the secretary was directe
TO notify all members that after the be-
ginning ginning Oh the regular drill season in Sep
TEMPER any member absent from two drills
In succession in any one month will he
dropped from the rolls.
Captain Guy E. jenkins Comn.nv
9th Battalion, has rendered his resignation
ard the paper is now en- route through mill
tary channels on its way to headquarters
It is stated that First Lieutenant William
n. Meildch will be elected to succeed Capt
Jenkins.
II Is understood that every effort is being
made In the direction Of the organization Of
the proposed troop of cavalry for the Dis
trict National Guard. Those who have sig
nihed their Intention of becoming cavalry
men are holding weekly mounted drills
IS A DEATH TRAD