Evening star., 1898-12-10
Release Of Major Ross From Nominal
Arrest Ordered.
POSSIBILITY OF 4 MUSTER OUT
Supply Of Coal Needed for the
u. S. S. Fern.
RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

| the circumstances Some little time will be
| required to get things in shape that is de-
| sired after the inactivity that prevailed
| during the absence at war of so many of
| the officers and enlisted men. The special
| inspections are being continued. They will
| not cease until every organization of the
| guard has received a visit from the special
| Inspector
One matter of interest is the possible
| muster out of Company B. I'd Battalion
| The internal affairs of this at one time
| crack company, SO it is said, are not what
| they ought to be, and therefore firm meas
| ures are to be adopted by headquarters
An entire reorganization is certain to oc-
| cur in the event that muster out is not de-
| cided on.
Released From Arrest
A communication from headquarters of
| the District of Columbia militia has been
addressed to the commanding officer of the
| 1st Regiment, as follows:
"A satisfactory explanation of his nou-
attendance at headquarters 1st Battalion,
when those headquarters were inspected bv
| Capt. J. A. Dapray, 23d United States In
fantry, the night of November %, having
| been given by Major b. X. Ross 1st Bat
taIlon the commanding general directs that
you reIease MAYOR hoss from arrest and
restore INN to duty
The explanation referred to sets forth in
substance that the evening in question
mayor boss was, SO far as he knew in
command of the LIST Regiment The nisyht
OF November - he attended the ordered IN
spectlOn of LIST Regiment headquarters and
althouSh Colonel May was present Major
iIoSS, not having been formally relieved
considered himself the res.menta1 com,
ihander Another officer beng temnora Ri
~ IN command Of the 1st Battalion. Ma io,.
ross so he thought under the circum-
SPECTRUM VI ISL Battalion Headquarters
Coal for the Fern.
An important question has arisen in re-
s''fi 10 the supply of coai necessary for
heauhs ana for boiler purposes on board
the L. ,. ,. Fern, now in use by the naval
battalion. Under the terms of transfer of
the ship to the National Guard it was set
forth that the Navy Department should be
felleVed from any other expense involved in
maintaining the ship in proper condition,
except the providing of United States sea-
men as ship keepers. Meanwhile however
there is absolute necessity for coal and
General Harries has been making earnest
effort to secure small supply, but thus far
without avail.
1t is expected that as soon as Congress
shall have made its appropriation for the
next fiscal year, money for coal will be
available, as that item was included in the
the time being coal is imperatively needed
that the ship may be made habitable dur
ing cold weather, and also that steam may
be at any time available for fire eXtinguish-
ing purposes. Just what General Harries
will be able TO accomplish in this direction
is to be developed, it is hoped favoraby,
in the next few days.
The naval battalion, by the way, IS still
regularly al work, and is constantly adding
to its efficiency.
Constitutions and Bylaws.
A subject for the early consideration Of
the commanding general is that Of consti-
tutions and bylaws of the several organi-
cations of the National Guard. Under the
authority of the organic act OF 1889 some
of the organizations have adopted rules and
regulations subject to the approval of the
commanding general. but there seems to be
some doubt as to the exact extent they
have been authorized to go in the matter
At any rate the subject is regarded as of
sufficient Importance to receive conSidera-
uon without delay.
Special Inspections Continue.
1t is understood that Lieutenant d. b.
Mcleod, who has immediate charge of the
brigade band, has been exceedingly ener-
getic of late in bringing the men together
and in conducting band rehearsals. Cap
tain Dapray special inspector, will visit
the headquarters of the band next Wednes
day evening and inquire into the methods of
practice, the system followed in outside en-
gagements drill and management.
Capt Dapray will visit the 4th Battalion
next Tuesday evening, with the object OF
making q special inspection. The 4th Bat
TALON had an assembly and drill last Tues
day that was most gratifying IN every way.
The attendance was large, and the interest
displayed was up to the highwater mark.
Capt. Dapray will probably continue his
inspections by visiting the other battaions
in the I'd Regiment. Then he will look into
the 1st Separate Battalion as soon as Maj
Arthur Brooks returns from southern
trip, which will be about the end of next
week.
Light Battery to Boom.
The rule adopted in other organizations
in the guard is to apply in respect to the
Light Battery; that is, all men must attend
meetings and drills. Any who may wish to
withdraw must do so through the medium
of an application for honorable discharge.
According to First Lieut.. J. H. Grifflths,
commanding, the battery, is to move for
ward with a boom. Lieut. Griffiths has
sent the following notice to the members
of the ganiZation:
Active work will at once be resumed by
the battery. The next meeting will be held
at the armory Saturday evening, December
| 10, at o'clock. 1t Is desired that all mem
| bers who wish TO continue with the battery
| be present at this meeting, or, II unable to
! be present at this time, to communicate
| with me by letter. Those who wish to
withdraw from the organization should at
once apply for discharge blanks, which
| will furnish
Officers Who Have Resigned.
The designations of the following officers
have been received at headquarters: Major
| Otto G. Simonson, 9th Battalion: Capt,
| Charles l.. Beatty Company A, 1st Bat
| talon; First Lieutenant Louis G. Freeman,
| quartermaster, 9th Battalion; First Lieu
| tenant Alfred A. Smith, Company B, 9th
| Battalion; Capt. Charles De Lano Hine,
| Battery A, Light Artillery; First Lieuten-
| ant John NJ. Field. Signal Company; Capt.
| James L. Mock, adjutant. I'd Regiment;
| Capt. Frank w. Holt, Company B, 9th
Battalion; First Lieutenant Duncan Daven-
| port. Company A, 9th Battalion; Major
Henry B. LOCKER 9th Battalion; First Lieu
| tenant George v. Chandler, Engineer Com
| pany.
Discharges Granted.
Because of removal from the District the
| following have been honorably discharged:
! Private Charles H. Miller, Company B. 1st
Battalion, and Corpora Francis D. Bars
tow and Privafea T. ~ EggleStOn James