Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-21
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Conference Of Second District Officers
With Commanding General.
NEEDS OF THE SERVICE DISCUSSED
Official Visit to Naval Battalion
Aboard the Fern.
4 CRUISE IN PROSPECT

Under orders previously issued, Col. Uren
and all the officers and non-commissioned
staff officers OF the ID Regiment assembled
Monday evening last in the general staff
parlors at brigade headquarters. where
Gen Harries and his staff and Capt. Da-
pray. the special inspector. were present.
Gen Harrics explained that the object of
the meeting was a general conference in re-
gard TO the conditions and improvements in
the I'd Regiment He went carefully over
the ground and discussed what were deem
ed necessary reforms. He took occasion. in
conclusion, TO say that he appreciated the
many difficulties which had been encoun-
tered during the recent war with Spain in
maintaining the National Guard organfza-
tons intact. and he realized that only con-
slant and unremitting labor on the part of
all the officers would result in the success
full rehabilitation Of the guard. now so
earnestly contemplated. He believed how
ever, that the officers of the I'd Regiment
We're capable and willing TO meet the condi-
tons. and he had no doubt that in a little
while the "a Regiment would be justly en-
titled TO the credit. which in times past il
had always claimed. of being THE best
regiment in the National Guard. " II is a
proper claim to he made ny each regiment
and separate organization. he said, and all
the more laUtaole by reason of the fact
that ii gives rise to rivalry and regimentaI
esprit, which tends much in the direc-
fiOn of efficiency.
Needs ri the Organization.
Gen Harries then invited Col Ureu and
the various captains of the regiment to talk
freely on the needs of their organizations.
and especial attention was directed to the
matter of enGstments. While all the re-
ports seemed 10 indicate that some recruit
= rr,-T4
was that desirable men do not always pre-
sent themselves. In this connection the an
h"unCement was made by the commanding
general that the quality more than the
and he rather approved of what seemed to
be the general purpose of captains to ac-
cept only the best material
captain Harvey made the interesting
suggestion that arrangements should be in
auSuTuted for Il series of competitions for
trophies. He argued that esprit De corps
would hest ne developed by such cOmDeti-
tons and he said it would not be long be-
fore the various organizations could point
with pride To the trophies acquired by
them.
Meeting this suggestion. Captain Dapray
when called upon to talk to the officers re-
HarNei that while Regular army officers
heSlfated 10 iHtrule upon National Guards
ment the strict methods of the regular
army IL must nevertheless he admitted that
a me methods Of the regular army were
the rutgTJWth OF the consensus of mill
tary thought and experience. they must he
regarded as the best methods which mill
taty skill can devise. To the extent. there
lore. which 1t might he practicable TO in
To lace them into the National Guard they
would seem to be most desirable
Work of Special Inspection.
Captain Dapray stated that in his work
as specid! inspector Of the District Ma
u"ral Guard he had found a variety of
methods 10 exist ana in one battalion alone
III the matter of record keeping there were
as many methods as there were organfza-
lions Captain pap,ay laid particular stress
on the fact that there was generally one
best way 10 do all things. and that way
was the right way prescribed from mill
taTy headquarters. He argued that the re-
sPcu~ib.lty in the military administration
rested first upon the officers charged with
the duty OF selecting staff officers and that
II was the DUTY Of staff officers. and es-
Tecidiiy Of adjutants. to become thorough
y acquainted with and equipped in the
kE0WirJ%e OF military requirements Upon
an efficient adjUtant more than any one
else in q regiment or battalion next to the
commander, depends proper military admin
istration and discipline. Captain Dapray
referred 10 the fact that in the regular
army the regulations distinctly prescribe
trat the adjutant snail be an officer compe-
tent and capable to exert the influence be
longing to his station in sustaining the
reputation. discipline and harmony of the
regiment ana should inform himself upon
all points Of military usage. aiding with his
advice and experience the other officers of
the regiment. The captain insisted that the
selection Of an adjutant was o. most vital
Importance To- the welfare OF the guard and
military considerations alone should gov
ern such selection.
Distinction Made.
Captain Dapray called attention to the
fact that, unlike all the men who enlisted
in the regular army, it must be assumed
Guard do so from reasons Of personal
choice and because they like the military
service and want TO be soldiers. Such men
h argued ought to be more easily drilled
and disciplined han men who choose mill
tIry life through necessity o. accident. AS
i vftenjimeS The rule governing some en-
GStmrnrS in The army. the citizen who is
willing To give up his nights and spare time
10 the duties Of civic sUldiery. according to
Captain Dapray. need only energetic and
efficient officers to make them thorough
soldiers However. the CTlrior was frank
y expressed that as RUE the private SOL
der in the National Guard makes better
progress than the officer; that while the
soldier is constantly learning or willing
constantly 10 learn, some officers. at least
CoHtentiuS themselves with their commits
s41nS are satisfied with that perfunctory
discharge Of duty which gives them no in
creased capacity TO teach. Captain Dapray
argued for the necessity Of regimentaI and
battalion officers schools. and insisted that
unit! every officer learns his exact duties
both in administration and in drill and
performs that duty exactly as prescribed,
UrSsiti~s IHt0ry conditions will prevail He
impressed upon the officers present that the
FIRST necessity # the National Guard of tile
District is to be thoroughly uniformed ana
equipped, and pointed out instances where
IN several officers had failed to comply
with tho orders which were intended Tor
the immediate uniformiug and equipment
Compliance with Orders.
After general talk by the officers. Lieu
tenant Colonel Ailairc was called on to sub
nit any matter which, as adjutaut general
seemed desirable. He at once dwelt upon
the necessity Of strict and rigid compliance
with official orders and the adherence 10
the pres, ribbed military methods in all cor
TFSPondcuce and official papers. He stated
that AN officer. IN signing his name ntfic-
Tally, should always attach To his sigma
turr the designation Of his official rank as
II appears in the commission from The
President. His remarks were generally di-
rrctvd TO the regular routine of official
business OF the @uJutaut generals office
During the meeting Colonel Ureu was in
structed to give the necessary orders for
the assembly Of his regiment for inspec-
ton and review Monday, the Both instant
az the Center Market armory drill hall
It is understood that owing to the limited