The Washington times., 1902-04-27
District Guard Is in Better
Shape Today Than
Ever Before.
THE COMING ENCAMP PMEN 7
A Slight Addition to Pending Appropria-
ton Bill Would Insure Better Results
Service Tactics to Be a Feature
This Year-Plans of the Sharpshooters


Guard. The necessity for getting the en-
tire command into shape to stand a rigi
oyerhauling under the critical eye o
the inspector general. Major II. II. Our
and. has entirely routed the touches o
spring fever which pervaded a large par
of the organization.
There is every reason to believe tha
The entire brigade and the naval battalion
will pass a higher muster and inspection
than last year, when the showing wal
more satisfactory than ever before TIL,
boys in blue are now armed with the new
Krag-Jorgensen rifles. These are in al
most perfect condition. and their accom-
panying accouterments are also spick and
span, contributing to make the general
appearance of the men on parade better
than ever.
Beautiful New Gun Racks.
The new gun racks which will soon all
be in place Mt the Center Market Armory.
will aod much 10 the appearance OF the
armory quarters. and will afford protec-
tion against dampness not possessed by
the old style Of rack built against the
wall.
The new rack is of handsome design
and circular In shape-,he prototype Of
those used In the armories Of the crack
New York regiments. The rifles are much
better protected from dust than for
merry.
District Militia Appropriation.
The District appropriation bill reported
10 the House yesterday, and which will
be acted upon this week. carries an item
OF $751; for the maintenance OF the Dis
trict Of Columbia militia during the ensu-
ing fiscal year. This amount is about
the same as usual. but not large enough
TO allow the expansion In certain direc-
tions which officers of the Guard would
like to see effected.
OF the total abount 81. 500 will be used
for the expenses of the annual encamp-
ment. Tais amount will be sufficient to
provide q hrst-class ten days camp. A
few thousand more. however. would do
much to improve conditions.
The field instruction this year will run
more TO the conditions encountered in
active service than has been the case
heretofore. An army oficer will be de-
tailed to go into camp with the brigade as
tactical instructor Capt z. S. Overton.
last year and did excellent work. His Sc
lection would be highly gratifying to the
Guard.
The SELECTION of site for the camp
lies between two places in the vicinity of
Leesburg One OF them is Georges Farm,
where the brigade tented last year. This
site is thought to be desirable for num-
Der OF reasons. one OF which is that money
could be saved by using the wells which
were constructed there last year.
Communication Much Improved.
Communication both by telephone and
telegraph between Leesburg and Washing
ton has been greatly improved since last
year. The service was then SO inadequate
that letters were frequently a more rapid
means OF communication with persons in
Washington than either telegraph or tele-
phone.
In the near future officers of the gen.
eral stan will be detailed to inspect the
desirable sites near Leesburg for the pur-
pose OF coming to a final decision.
Immediately after the inspection the at
tcutfoh VI COulpdu- COrnfDhDQeFS VIII De
turned TO instructing the guardsmcn In
sentinel duty. Although the guard at
night during the last camp was effective
II was trifie ragged in technicaiities
First Regiment Teams Trip.
Col Henry May expects to send a rifle
team representing the First Regiment to
Canada to compete with the cream of the
nf fba Dor;,fa, a.. 49, A.-.
ing tournament TO be held at Ottawa this
summer. As result OF the prospect of
tnis attractive trip, competition on the
team will be keen.
The First Regiment lost two good rifle
men In the persons of Lieut.. H. II. Lei
zear and Lieut.. Horace Bell. George
Cook and S. b. Wetherall. formerly mem
bers OF the Guard and of crack brigade
teams. have enlisted during the past week
and will be eligible TO the rife teams
which they will greatly strengthen.
The Ordgay range is now undergoing
repairs and will probably be opened for |
voluntary practice about May Is.
Major James Z. Bell is emphatic In his |
orders that those who do not complete |
their gallery scores before that date will 4
not be allowed TO shoot on the range |
The gallery season closes on Wednesday
scores will need to bestir themselves in |
order to do SO.
Naval Battalion Rifle Practice.
Arrangements are being made for the
of the Naval Battalion to shoot
their gallery scores during the month OF
May
An effort will be made to awaken more
IA KS aetf in l
d. the entire battalion last year Ensign |
Howard Fisk was the only one to qualify |
IN the range.
Major Bell. who will again OF course. |
lct as captain of the brigade team. will
'egin TO look over the material for the
cam as soon as the rifemen get out on
he range Every method to stimulate
ompetition and plentiful practice will be
sed.
The last OF the indoor matches. the
egimental contest. Will be decided to-
morrow night.
Notes of the Guard.
The Revolver Association Of the District
Columbia. which is largely composed OF
iembers of the Guard. is anxious to en-
lrge its membership. Its facilities are
ich that persons desiring to learn 10
loot are afforded every opportunity for
ecoming proficient.
As soon as the ordway Range is I'm
rape for work the Revolver Club team.
hich recently tied with the Miles Stan
sh Club of Portland. Maine, in a tele
-aph match. will shoe: OF the tie. IL
Lieutenant Swart. OF Company A, First =
attalion. has been obliged. on account OF
,or health. resulting from a recen. ac- a
dent, to tender his resignation. Ia
Tho 6l(- va rd backsfon on fha 0rdu,,yl