Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-20
Officer Of Regular Service to
Command Naval Battalion.
PREPARING PAY ROLLS
SECOND REGIMENT WINS PRE-
LIMINARY RIFLE COMPETITION.
Interest in Revolver Shooting-Chal-
lenge From Baltimore Cavalry
Lieut.. Hayes Has Resigned.

Not only the jackies, but the land forces
Of the District of Columbia National Guard
as well, are evincing concern in the radi-
cal action decided on by headquarters re-
garding the Naval Battalion. Rumors of
almost every character have been flying
thick and fast since The Star last Saturday
announced that the commanding general
and his advisers have agreed on a plan to
remedy what they consider certain pro-
nounced evils in the organization, which, 1t
is claimed, have existed for many months.
1t Is practically a certainty that an officer
Of the United States navy, on the active
list, will, at the request of General Harries,
be assigned by the Navy Department to
sumo command of the local Naval Battal-
ion, in addition to his other duties, and
while it cannot be stated as fact, there is
nevertheless every reason to believe that
before the naval officer assumes command
the battalion will be disbanded. This an
nouncement need not cause alarm, however
for the command will be almost immediate
ly mustered in again as part of the organ
lied militia Of the District of Columbia In
fact. the disbanding and mastering in may
very likely happen the same evening. The
most noticeable change to occur, 1t Is said
will be the absence from the new organiza-
tion of certain Of the officers of the present
battalion.
learned. for several weeks at least or until
the officer who will probably be assigned to
the command Of the battalion can return to
this city from the asiatic station.
Holiday Quiet Is Apparent.
That affairs are exceptionally quiet
throughout the brigade at present is evil
denced by the fact that not one special
order has been issued from militia head
quarters during the week. The situation Is
very likely due to the fact that the majority
Of the guardsmen are busily engaged with
their civic business, which now requires un-
usual attention because of the holiday
trade. Many company commanders are
working on the pay rolls for the six months
ending December 81, and on the rifle prac-
tice reports that were due November 80.
First Lieut.. Roy B. Hayes, commanding
the Engineer Corps, has rendered his resig-
nation and 1t has been accepted by .he
President Lieut.. Hayes connection with
the geological survey has necessitated his
presence in the west, and he is likely to re-
main away from this city all winter As
he cannot under the circumstances pay
any attention to his National Guard work
he considered 1t incumbent upon him to
sever his connection with the command
A hardWorking conscientious officer
Lieut. Hayes will be greatly missed Dur
ing the war with Spain he served as an
officer of the LIST District of Columbia In
fantry, u. S. Volunteers. The enlisted men
of the Engineer Corps will be ordered to
assemble In the near future for the purpose
of electing his successor
Mr.. Horace NJ. Bell son of Mai James
70. Bell. and formerly an officer of the Dis
trict National Guard and of the LIST District
Regiment, United States Volunteers, has
been rendered the appointment as inspector
of rifle practice of the LIST Regiment New
Jersey National Guard, with rank of cap
tain. Mr.. Bell is resident of New Jersey.
but until year ago lived here. He is con-
sidered one of the best military rifle shots
in the country. At present he is a private
of Company A, list Regiment, New Jersey
National Guard. The office rendered Mr.
Bell was made vacant by the transfer of
Capt. w. M. Martin, another well-known
expert rifeman, to the command of a COM
pany.
Interest in Revolver Shooting.
Maj. James E. Bell, inspector general of
rifle practice. District Of Columbia militia,
and Maj. Richard Sylvester superintendent
of police, have arranged that the next re-
volver match between a team representing
the District National Guard and one from
the police force, shall be shot in the gallery
at the Center Market armory the afternoon |
of Tuesday. December 80. beginning at 8
o'clock. AS the policemen have their reg
ular pistol practice with daylight condi- |
tons, 1t Is thought they will make a bet |
ter showing in contest shot In the after |
noon than II the firing occurred at night
In the coming competition, which viii be |
the first for the Carmody trophy. the |
guardsmen will allow the policemen a |
handicap Of fifteen feet-that is, the guards |
men will shoot from firing line located |
sixty feet from the targets. while the firing |
point for the policemen will be only forty |
five feet in front of the bulls eye.
1t has been suggested that the local pis- |
toll experts engage In a competition with |
out-of-t town revolver shots as well as with |!
those of local renown. Within the past |
week or two q pistol team from Squadron |
A of the New York National Guard has |
participated in a match with a detachment |
OF Massachusetts artillerymen at the arm
ory of the latter In Boston. It Is reason
able to suppose that the New Workers