Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-22
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Event of Chief Interest in
Brigade Circles.
PRIZE DISTRIBUTION
CAPT. EDWARDS SUGGESTIONS
REGARDING COMPETITIONS.
Enthusiasm Over Athletics - New
Company Preparing for Muster-In
Separations From Service.

The event of chief interest in District Ma
tional Guard circles during the past week
was the ceremony in connection with the
distribution of rifle competition prizes, which
was held in the drill hall of the Center
Market armory last Thursday evening.
The event was carried to a successful con-
cluson without the slightest hitch. The
participation of the band of the engineer
corps, United States army, added much to
the pleasure of the occasion. The address
delivered by Assistant Secretary of War
Sanger was very timely and of exceptional
interest.
Speaking of rifle practice, Capt E. c. Ed
wards of Company A, I'd Battalion, states
that it is his intention TO call to the atten-
ton of the powers that be what he consid-
ers an injustice to large proportion of the
guardsrhen. According to Capt. Edwards 1t
is hardly fair to permit the crack shots of
the brigade to enter nearly all the competi-
tons, especially as under existing condi-
tions, he says, the winning of prizes Is con-
nned to comparatively few officers and
men, and, therefore, the big majority of the
guardsmen, realizing that they stand no
chance in contests with the experts are
naturally discouraged and pay no attention
to the all-fmportant matter of target work.
Suggests Reform.
Capt Edwards means to urge that a re-
form be brought about. He suggests that
distinguished marksmen, brigade team
members and the others of equal expert
ness be relegated to a class by themselves
and permitted to shoot only therein. Glasses
to provide for the entire brigade, so Capt.
Edwards thinks, might be arranged for ex-
ample, as follows:
Fourth class-Open to all novice men
those who have never won a rife practice
prize.
Third class-Open to all who have won a
first or second prize in the novice or fourth
class.
Second class-Open to all who have won
first prize in the third class.
First class-Open to all who have won
first prize in the second class.
Distinguished marksman class-Open to
all who average 40 or better out of a pos
sible so in the first class, brigade team men,
bers and distinguished marksmen.
Each Confined to His Own Glass.
There should be suitable prizes provided
in each class" says Captain Edwards, land
no man should be permitted to shoot in any
but his own class. The minute he wins
prize he would move step higher and
main there until he succeeded in capturing
a prize. This plan would bar out those
men who make rifle practice business
and enter solely the contests for the pur-
pose of gathering in all the prizes in sight,
greatly to the encouragement Of the mex
perienced guardsmen and to the general
detriment Of the service. 1t is not my
idea that the experts of long standing
should be barred out entirely, but they
should most certainly be relegated to
stipulated class, where they could fight it
out among themselves, thereby removing
all danger Of destroying the ambition of
the new men in the guard, who, up to this
time, have witnessed a few men win all
the prizes all the time. 1 am told that in
connection with the recent meeting at Ord
way. with the exception Of the merchants
match. about six men captured the entire
offerings Of individual prizes.
THE plan 1 have roughly detailed" add
ed Captain Edwards. lis similar to that fol-
lowed in athletics. The winner Of novice
race next completes In the junior and then
in the intermediate classes. Finally he be-
comes a senior. Such a thing a man in
the novice class competing with senior,
for instance. is. of course, unheard of"
Enthusiastic Over Athletics.
Athletic work throughout the District of
Columbia National Guard is being carried
forward with enthusiasm. The gymnasium
classes are well attended every Tuesday
and Thursday evenings. So far basket
ball is concerned, the Corcoran Cadet
Corps, the Morton Cadets and the Ordway
Rifles are particularly active, while the
Corcoran Cadet Corps, the Ordway Rifles
and the Jrrell Rifles figure prominently in
the indoor base ball games. These six
teams are made up of about seventy-five
players. The new lockers are in position at
the gymnasium, and Professor Koran, the
physical instructor is ready to assign them.
Preparing for Muster-In.
It is announced that the proposed new
company for the District National Guard,
now being organized by the Y. M. c. A.
will hold meeting in the associations par
lors Monday evening at 7 o'clock. Captain
Skinner will presiue and short addresses
will be delivered by Major Harvey of the
ficials. The enthusiasm manifested in the
association ranks, so 1T Is said, indicates
that the company will be in readiness for
muster-in in the near future.
Notes.
On their own applications Private Roy NJ.
Heizer, Company A, I'd Battalion, and Pri-
vate John F. Maher, Company B, 4th Bat
TALON, have been honorably discharged.
By reason of removal from the District,
Private William Ashley, jr, Corp. Ike Gar
ner and Private Peter Peterson, Company
a, 5th Battalion, and Private Frank A.
Reynolds, Company G, 9Th Battalion, have
been honorably discharged.
The following have been ordered dishon-
orably discharged by reason of expulsion
from the organizations mentioned: Private
Richard C. Cantwell, Private William d.
Dougherty, Private Philip ]. Kraft and Pri-
vate John H. Nails, Company A, 9th Bat
vate Benjamin F. Chamberlain, Private
| Charles A. Clark, Private Ola Floyd and
| Private Elzie b. Ward, Company c, 9Th
/ Battalion.
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