Evening star., 1902-03-22
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Interesting Program Of Events
for Local Brigade.
RANGE RIFLE PRACTICE
BATTALIONS TO BE ALLOWED
TWO DAYS AT oRDwAY.
Effort to Promote the Efficiency Of the
Militia-Provisions Of
the Bill.

The events Of the comparatively near
future Of general interest to District Of
Columbia National Guardsmen include the
annual inspections to be held during May
and the dedication, the Both Of that month,
Of the monument that will be erected in
memory Of the late General Ordway; the
official rifle pra actice on the range early In
June, the annual outing under canvas,
probably at Leesburg, Va, during the lat
ter part Of July, and a proposed brigade
turnout and parade in connection with the
encampment Of the Grand Army of the
Republic in this city several weeks there
after. Thus the indications are that af-
fairs will be far from dull in local militia
circles for some time to come.
An order is in course of preparation
having to do with outdoor work before the
targets. It will embrace a schedule to
cover the shooting. Changing the time for
the official range practice from October to
June Is a radical departure from the pro-
gram of former years. The view is held
that by ordering the practice for the be-
ginning Of the season of outdoor work, the
guardsmen will have all summer to engage
In voluntary practice and to build up their
scores. Most Of the men also have more
time at their disposal during the summer
months than In the fall.
Two Days on the Range.
A suggestion offered by several Of the Of
,f1cers of the department of rifle practice
that meets with the approval of the In
spector general of that branch of the local
military orga niZation Is to the effect that
each battalion be allowed two days on the
range instead of one, as heretofore. The
battalion inspectors assert that proper at
tention cannot be given to four company
l IL to-
firing In one day. The suggestion will very
likely be adopted.
TIE troops again this year will proceed to
the range by way of electric railway cars
to the end Of the line, and thence by march
Ing the remaining short distance to Ord
way.
TIE inspector general of rifle practice has
| received assurances from his assistants
zine rifle, caliber 80. is giving general salts
| faction. 1t is reported that much more In
! terest is being manifested in gallery work
! than ever before. Soafar the men are dis
playing great diligence in caring for and
! properly cleaning the new firearms There
| seems to be every reason to believe that
| the guardsmen will continue to take pride
| in keeping the rifles in proper condition al
all times.
The Issue of Krag Guns.
| The Krags were issued to Company C, Isl
| Battalion and Companies A, B and c. 6tf
Battalion, last Monday evening. Company
| D, 1st Battalion. and Company A, Sd Bat
/ talon, have been ordered to turn In tn.
| Springfelds and receive the new arms II
exchange therefor next Tuesday evening
J Major William e. Harvey. 9Th Battalion
l has announced that all members Of hi.
| commissioned and non-commissioned stat
| must qualify IN rifle practice hereafter OF
make way for others who will do SO
| Major Harvey has forwarded a requisitiof
| for a sufficient number of Krags to equiv
his staff
The company team rife match for March
| at 500 yards will be shot Monday and Tues
/ day evenings of next week. The battalion
| and regimental team matches are scheduled
/! for Monday, the S1st instant. The genera
staff and the general non-commissionet
staff will occupy the gallery next Wednes
day evening.
To Promote Efficiency Of Militia.
The Interstate National Guard Associa
i ton, through its executive committee, OF
which General Harries, commanding tn,