The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-24
THE HIGH SCHOOL CADETS
Five thousand People Attend the
Opening of the Annual Drill.
Commissioner mcfarland and Sem
ntor Mason Among the Spectators
Companies II. L, f, and G Put
Through Difficult Programme
Contest to he Concluded Today.

| rive tnUuSaHu people saw tEe OpeulH
of the annual competitive drill of the Hig
School Cadets yesterday afternoon at tn
National Baseball Park. The day wa
perfect, the drill excellent and enthusiast
reigned. Senator Mason of illinois sa
beside District Commissions. H. B.
Mcfarland, while in adjoining boxes wer
Mr.. J. w. Whelpley, of the Board of Schoo
Trustees, and DR.. Francis r. Lane, Di
rector of the Washington High Schools
-Four companies, composing the Secon
battalion, appeared on the field during tn
afternoon, and today the remaining eom
mands, all representing the Central Hig
School, will go through the maneuvres.
1t was 4 O'Clock when the drill began
The contingent from the Western Higl
School, represented by Company Ii, gav'
three mighty cheers when Captain YOUNG
brought his command on the field and drew
up in order OF salute before the Board o.
Judges, composed of Lieut.. F. ]. Rooster
Third United States Cavalry, Chairman
Lieut. Arthur w. Yates, Ninth United
States Infantry, and Lieut.. Halstead Do
rey, Fourth United States Infantry. Witt
| military precision the drill programme was
begun. An excellent alignment was kept
! by the command early in the maneuvres
1
ecuted with considerable skill. A lack Of
activity was noticeable upon one or two
| occasions when difficult orders were being
| executed and the step of the company dur
ing quick-time maneuvres was more or
less imperfect. AS the drill advanced i'm
provement appeared in the execution OF
commands, and great precision was re-
marked in the firing OF the various vol
! leys.
Nh fhan &c
ccted, and fifty-five minutes were con-
sumed in the drill of this company. In
marching order the command appeared to
adv itage, presenting an almost unbroken
fro.-. and excellent step. Captain Young
gave his commands in clear. sharp voice.
and showed ability in leading his men
through the list of movements prescribed
in the programme. Just before the close
Of the drill the company won plaudits by
its splendid quick-time movements, first
oblique, to the right and left, then to the
rear, and finally. wheeling into column,
md again into a column OF fours. These
movements were executed with rapidly,
and were followed by firing of volleys from
the various positions prescribed in the
manual. Scarcely had the drill been COM
pleted when two handsome wreaths of
flowers were rushed upon the field and
presented to the officers. An outbufst Of
cheering followed the retirement of the
command and announced the appearance of
Company E, the champions of the Business
High School.
Company E's Fine Showing.
With that precision attained only by
veterans, Company E took up its position
before the judges. Captain Zurhorst was
in command and he was alive to the liz
portance of the occasion. This company
has never won drill in the annual COM
petition and there are reasons for this
fact. No one who appeared with the COM
mand from the Business High School has
served more than two years, Captain Eur
horst being a soldier for only that length
OF time. Yet remarkable drill was pre-
sented by Company E yesterday. Other
companies have older men, of experience
and longer training. but 1t is doubtful
whether better drill will be seen this
year than that which was given by the
youngest company OF the High School reg
iment.
From 5 o'clock until nearly 6 Captain
Zurhorst drilled his men. Beginning with
the manual taking up the flank move
ments, the company showed brisk. al
most merry, snap about its movements
which was refreshing. Here and there
errors were noticeable, mostly slight, and
they were quickly corrected. When the
platoon maneuvres were reached degree
of excellence was shown by the company
which brought forth applause from hun
dreds of threats. 1t was during the quick
time movements that occasional errors
were to be seen, and the firing of the COM
mand was not quite up to the standard
of excellence shown by the command in
other features of the programme, yet the
Business High School bids fair to stand
well up in the contest for the coveted
prize flag.
Eastern High School Companies.
There are two companies from the East
ern High School in the regiment, and they
both drilled yesterday afternoon. Company
F was in command of Captain Cornwall
and they took the field on the retirement
Of the Business High School contingent
1t was snappy drill which they presented
was showered upon them. Twice has this
company won the prize flag of the regi-
ment, and Captain Cornwall is anxious for !!
another similar success. He led his men |
giving his orders In clear tones |
and with marked precision. The features
If the drill were many. but few errors were
BY the command, especially when quick
line was ordered, but no fiaring mistakes
we're noticeable. The gun movements, also,
we're executed with precision and were gen.
orally good. In the meneuvres, the flank
and especially in the firing
rom various positions excellent precision
vas shown by the command. very close
Inspection Of the company was made by the
Judges. several arms being examined in in
lividual cases, but nothing Indicating bad
work or unfortunate conditions of arms or
men could be seen. Flowers in plenty
marked the retiremen: of the company
rom the field after drill lasting ffty-two
minutes.
1t was the privilege of the Eastern High
school to place second company in the
leld to compete for the prize flag. This
vas Company G, under command of Cap
ain Webster. In 1897 this company was
Notorious in the annual competition. 1t
vas the last command to appear on the
eld yesterday afternoon. yet drill which,
n main features, was above the ordinary,
allied forth the plaudits of the admirers
sho crowded the stands. Captain Web
ter marched the company on the field to
within fifteen PAGES of the judges. end
here the regulation salute was given.
Then the flank movements were begun.
he long line breaking UP into columns of
ours, then forming toward the rear.
hanging step and reforming into column
With the file closers at the rear. Oblique
movements were next taken up. then dou-
le- time, mark time. turning, hating and
nally reforming OF line. All these move
nerts were carried out with excellent
recession.
close inspection of arms was made by
he judges. Several movements, apparently .
Incorrect made during the arm, dr;n |
nd these will doubtless count against the
nd hut saaixa |