The Washington times., 1902-09-07
Silence Reigns on Sub
ject of the Recent
Rifle Contest.
RlFLEMEn ARE ooWNcAsT
General Harries, Who Watched the Hill
ton Trophy Match, Says District Men
We're Cutclassed = Gossip of Recent
Cruise of Naval Battalion.

These are dull days for The boys of
the National Guard. and there is prsc-
ticaliy nothing transpiring to Keep up
interest in the various organizations. In
past years the boys have found much
10 talk of in the deeds of the District
rifiemen in their competitions with the
marksmen of several States. but the
poor showing OF the men from the Ma
iicnal Capital in the meet Just closed
al Sea Girt, n. j.. has taken away this
item OF gossip. Everyone is desirous
of forgetting tho rifle tournament as
sot.i as possible. but 1t is safe to say
that greater efforts win be exerted next
year IN preparations for the tourna-
mcnt.
Ccr., George Il. Harries. commanding
;i,e District militia. who witnessed the
shooting OF the Hilton Trophy match
last Tuesday. had no word % criticism
10 pass or the officers OF the team or
the members themselves. They were
simply outciassed, he said. end coul1
not keep up-with the pace of the Jersey
men and New Workers.. Nevertheless
the District boys made larger score
than last year. when they carried Off
first honors. General Harries is of the
opinion that the score of 1,137, made
by New York will stand for many years.
Twice has the District broken the rec
crd. the. first time with Springfield rifles,
In 1899. when occurred the smashing
Of the record Of Massachusetts, which
had stood for fifteen years. Again last
year the District broke its own record
by making score of l.0aS, with the
Krag gun. The high mark set by New
York this year however. and the fine
showing of New Jersey and the District
in the same match, is considered re-
markable.
Ready for Winter.
Drills have not been resumed by any
of the organizations, and probably will
not be until about October /. With a
continuance of cool weather. however.
company commanders may give their
men some instruction prior TO hat time.
No time is being lost by any of them
in getting ready for the winter season.
ere being oyerhauled and refurnished.
Ii is expected that much recruiting will
be done during the early part of the
season.
The Naval Battalion has been kept
busy since the advent of summer. and
The boys have been given much in
struction as 10 their duties. On the
two cruises which have been taken
down the Potomac the boys have been
afforded an opportunity to work the
email boats and. try their hand at
shooting the big guns That they thor |
oughly understand thesrunning of the
vessel is shown by the skill with which ..
The old Fern, on which both cruises
have been made, has been taken |
down the river and back. With the ex-
ception OF the pilot. who is employed
en- account of his knowledge of the
river. the ship is manned wholly by
men of the Reserves.
Affairs are moving rapidly in the bat
talon, and 1t would not be surprising
If changes were made in the personnel
of the organization The fact that only I
fifty men out of complement of 1870
made the cruise last week. has caused
an investigation, which is likely TO re-
suit in the discharge Of many of the en-
listed men in the interest of the SER |
vice. Lieut.. A. p. Lang and Lieut.. A. |
Dempf, the division commanders, have |
submitted reports through Lieut.. r. B. |
Brummett. who commands the Fern, |
to the absence of some of the |
men. Most of them were absent with |
out leave, and 1t is considered likely |
that examples will be made of some of |
them.
Investigation Being Made.