The Washington times., 1901-10-05

No incident for many months has so up-
set the equanimity of the National Guard
as the designations of Commander r. P.
Hams and Chief Engineer Thomas w.
Power of the Naval Battalion. Lieuten-
ant Commander Sherburne G. Hopkins is
now in command of the battalion.
The position of commander will not be
filled at once. 1t is the intention of the
general commanding the District militia
to leave the office vacant until some one
is found who will prove capable in every
respect. 1t is expected that the resicna-
tions of the two officers will put an end to
the factional differences which were ex-
tant in the command for some tine.
Lieut.. A. P. Lang, who some time ago
rendered his resignation, has withdrawn
it, Lieutenant Lang's resignation was
the result of the friction which developed
during the annual cruise of the Fern last
July While the Fern was at sea there
were, on more than one occasion, high
words between the officers.
1t is thought that the policy adopted in
respect to the battalion will tend to in
crease its efficiency. The Naval Battal-
ion has been ordered out for rifle practice
at the Ordway range. This is the first
time the 0ejacket militia has ever been
practice. They will practice at the Ord
way range on Monday.
During the past week the ordered prac-
tice of the brigade has been completed in
more satisfactory fashion than ever be-
fore. The scores made are still in the
hands of the inspectors of rife practice
of the various battalions. Following is
the attendance by battalions at the Ord
first
Battalion. 43; Third Battalion. s. Fourth
Battalion. 81; Fifth Battalion. 60; Sixth
Battalion, 50; First Separate Battalion,
63; general commissioned and non-com-
missioned staff, H. Total, 359-
Major Bell is engrossed in the work of
preparing for the annual fall matches at
the Ordway Range ON October II, IS and
49, The programme of matches which was
printed in The Times, last Saturday has
been slightly altered. The General Ord
was scheduled for the first day, will not
be shot. In its place is scheduled be
ginner' match" This will be open to all
enlisted men of the National Guard who
have not heretofore participated in a
match. 1t will be fired at 200 and 800
yards
To save time for all tie riaemen who
are entered in both this match and the
Washington match, the nrst five shots
fired al the 200-yard stage of the Mer-
chants Match will count as score for
Llie SliIllldT ulSlGItCe Lie beginners
match. Thus, a rlfiemap shooting at the
ZOO-yard stage of the former match will
be practically scoringtfor 1.-TWO matches
at the same time. The same plan will
prevail in the Washington Match. except
that it viii be the last five shots fired
at 200 yards in the Merchants Match
which viii count for the similar distance
In the Washington Match. In this man
ner marksmen who Will beiable to go to
the range only on the first day will be
enabled to shoot in three matches.
Although it is not finally assured, it is
probable that teams representing the Ma
tional Guard OF New IerseH and the Ma
tional Guard of Maryland 3 will compete |
with the District riflenten Oh the last day |
of the fail matches The Jersey ritiem IN |
are especially anxious S1o come.
1t has been decided tcDrecguit Company |
. of the Second, Battalion. The Second |
has been COMPOSED of but three |
A, b. and E'. for a consider |
able time. One Of thc senior first Heu- |
tenants will be placed in command of |
the new company. The. step has been |
contemplated for considerable time. 1t |