Evening star., 1899-07-08
But Little Activity Manifest Owing
to the Heat.
ASPIRANTS FOR PLACE Tn RIFLE TEAM
Discussion of the Several Grades
of Ammunition.
MMISS IONS ISIS UED

So far as the District of Columbia Ma
tional Guard is concerned the summer re-
cess is on But very little active military
work is being performed, and the situation
will remain unchanged until the advent of
cool weather. Only few of the companies
are attempting to hold regular or even
irregular, drills or meetings. In some of
the commands the men are merely required
to report at the times drills or meetings
are scheduled, answer to roll call and are
then excused. Many of the officers and men
are away from the city ON vacation trims
Capt. F. F. Eastman, United States army
detailed by the War Department as adju-
tant general, District of Columbia militia
has not yet reported for duty.
Early next week, probably Tuesday, the
Light Battery will start on it's long delayed
road march. The itinerary, heretofore pub
lished in The Star will be followed Every
thing is in readiness for. the outing In the
drill hall of the Center Market Armorv
there are bales of hay, piles of straw and
bags of oats as well as all the other prac-
tice march requisites for horses and also
for the men.
Interest during the next two months will be
centered on the organization of teams and
their preparations for the annual rifle COM
petitions at Sea Girt, N. J. OF course the
brigade team that will represent the Dis
trict of Columbia in the Hilton trophy con-
test and other big matches will attract
the greatest attention. Work on the part
of competitors for places on the team will
begin in earnest Monday of next week
Others in Competitive List.
The absence of the names of the men,
bers of former brigade teams from the list
of competitors published few days ago
should not be misconstrued by those not
familiar with the status of affairs. Such
men are eligible competitors by reason
of the fact that they have been members
of former teams. 1t is safe to predict that
several of them at least viii be ON the team
that Will face the New Jersey targets in
September next. In addition to the names
published heretofore the following have
been announced as competitors: Capt. Clar-
ence a. Weaver. surgeon, 1st Regiment;
First Lieut.. Luther H. Reiehelderfer, in
spector of rifle practice, I'd Battalion; First
Lieut. w. E. Crist, Company c. I'd Bat
talon; Sergeant w. p Mckee, Company 3,
I'd Battalion; Corporal Taylor Page, Com
pany B. I'd Battalion; Lieut.. A. NJ. ALI
son, Company C, LIST Battalion; ,Sergt W.
w. Stilwell Company G, 1st Battalion;
Sergt W. E. Brown, Company c, 1st Bat
TALON, and Private E. D. Brown, Company
b, 1st Battalion. IA
There is considerable talk among the
Maryland National Guardsmen of the Sea
Girt meeting, and great desire is ex-
pressed on their part to be represented by
a team in the matches. There Is strong 4
probability that Maryland will compete
New Hampshire already has team prac-
number of years of this New England state
in the contests the range Of the New
Jersey State Rifle Association.
Ammunition Varies.
The question Of ammunition has been
causing some concern The government is
at the present time, issuing ammunition
supplied by three contractors. The claim is
advanced that the ammunition varies in
quality. The requirements that govern
ment ammunition shall be used in the
matches. If the ammunition varies as
charged, the claim is made that some teams
would have an advantage over others. In
a communication to Major James e. Bell,
inspector general of rifle practice, District
of Columbia militia, General Bird w. Spen-
Ger, executive officer of the New Jersey
State Rifle Association, states that meet
ing of the executive committee of the as
sociation is to be held Monday next, when
the question affecting the ammunition will
be discussed and the result made known to
all who are interested.
In addition to the brigade team, transpor-
tation to Sea Girt will be furnished by the
National Guard for one team from each
regiment, for not more than two battalion
teams and not more than two company
teams. otter teams may, of course, COM
pete, but the members will have to pay
their own expenses. The question of the
subsistence of the regmenta1, battalion and
company teams while at Sea Girt is still
open.
The local rfiemen will leave Washington
for Sea Girt the evening of Saturday, Sep
tember 2, and will reach the range the fol-
lowing morning. The contests begin Mon
day, September 4, and continue throughout
the week beginning that day.
New Inspector Named.
First Lieutenant Howard Beall Company
D, has been nominated for commission as
inspector of rife practice of the 1st Bat
talon, with the rank of first lieutenant,
and the news has been hailed with some
thing akin to delight by the members of
the organization. 1t Is hoped that under
the care and instruction of Lieutenant Beail
the 1st Battalion will develop a number of
excellent shots. The new Inspector is an
excellent rifieman himself. He appeared be-
fore the board of examination last evening
submitted, doubt exists that he made a
satisfactory showing.
A number of improvements have been
made of late at the Ordway rifle range,
such as the erection of backstops and the
like 1t is probable that the troops of the
50 United States Cavalry, stationed at Fort
negotiations for the use ofsthe range by the
regulars now being in progress.
FIRST Lieutenant w. w. CoOkson, inspec-
tor .or OF +, rifle I'll practice of the 9Th Battalion,
Maine, will return to Washington the 22d
instant, and Immediately thereafter begin
oSIiSS ~oih Win a view OF serving a
member of the brigade team. He was a
member OF several Of the former teams.
Commanders of Engineer Corps.
Lieut. Roy B. Hayes of the 9Th Battalion
mas been elected to the command of the
Engineer Corps, with the rank Of first lieu
tenant He was at the head Of the corps
during the recent encampment at Leesburg
and demonstrated his fitness to prouerlv
direct the affairs of the organization.
Ihe Naval Battalion, being more of a
summer than winter organization will
not suspend operations because of the hot
weather. Having benefited largely by the
recent cruise aboard the United States shin
Prairie, the 1acktes mean to keep up the
good work They win from time to time
mac river.
First Lieutenant Donaid B. Macleod
having resigned his commission, has beer,
warranted chief musician of the National
Guard Brigade Band.
New Military Governor of Paris.
Gen. Brugere. former chief of the late
President Carnot's military household, has
been appointed military governor of Paris,