The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-17
ORDERS FOR PARADE
OF NATIONAL GUARD


Guardsman was a member of the team,
and Major Bell, the inspector general of
rifle practice of the local soldiery, be-
lieves he Will have at least one repre-
sentative on the 1903 team The three
men who left here Friday are second 10
none seen in this section of the country,
and they have invariably figured conspic-
entered both at Sea Girt and in Wash
ington
The District rifemen. including ex-
perts, sharpshooters, and marksmen, the
crack shots from the Marine Barracks,
and the Fort Myer men, are out on the
Ordway range almost every day now
banging away at the targets. High
scores have prevailed. The men are
practicing in order to obtain positions on
the teams which will shoot at Sea Girt
during the latter part of August and the
first week of September. for the National
Trophy, for the purchase of which Con-
gress at its last session appropriated
81, 500. 1t was not believed the trophy
could be designed and finished in time
for competition this year, but Major Bell
says there Will be about twenty-five
teams in the field to shoot for the trophy.
Whole Country Invited.
The largest number of teams ever seen
in one match in this country was at Sea
Girt last year, when eleven teams com
peted for the Hilton trophy. There are
twelve men on each team, and with
twenty five teams in one match the total
number of men will be 800. The match
is open to the army. navy, marines, and
National Guards of the United States,
and there will be teams from the rock
bound coasts of Maine as well as from
the glorious climate of California; from
the tropics of Florida and the confines
OF Puget Sound.
The Fort Myer troopers are still prac-
ticing at the Ordway range The first
two troops are quartered there now.
When all of the members Of these troops
have shot their scores. two other troops
will take up quarters there. and FIRE at
the targets for few weeks. 1t is be-
lieved the troopers will take the entire
summer TO shoot all their scores.
Adjutant General Theodore Mosher. Of
the District of Columbia National Guard,
whose serious illness was chronicled in
The Times Of last Sunday, is somewhat
improved and Is now able to walk about
the house. He is on three months leave
OF absence. and contrary to the belief
Of the members of the general staff he
may be able to report for duty at head
quarters at the expiration of that time.
His illness greatly incommodes the other
officials at headquarters because the
force is somewhat diminished. and as
this is the busiest time of the year for
the officials Of the Guard. the loss is
heavily felt
Captain Robbins as Substitute.
Capt Alfred P Robbins, who is acting
general OF the Guard during
Colonel Mosher's absence, is acquitting
himself in an admirable and commend
leave does not expire until after the an
nuaI camp of the Guard. Captain Rob-
bins will in all likelihood be Gen. George
H. Harries' adjutant during the ten
days outing.
The Annual Camp.
Nothing has been heard in regard to
the plans for the annual camp OF the
Guard. General Harries Is preparing the
plans for the annual camp and will not
announce them until about one month
prior to the day the outing begins. II
is rumored the camp will begin some
time between July Is and IS, and last
until the 18th or 28th.
There has been considerable talk in
army circles about supplanting the
Krag -Jorgensen rifles with modern
Springfelds. but il is not believed any
such action will be taken. or if it is. 1t
will not affect the local soldiers for
some few years. The District of Colgifi-
oia National Guard was fitted out with
the new Krags last year and the rife
has given every satisfaction. II the
change is made in the regular army II
s believed it will be several years be-
fore any such action is taken N local
Guard circles.
J. c. Whitaker, of Company c, Fifth
Battalion Second Regiment was recently
elected to be first lieutenant of that
command. He has been ordered TO ap-
pear before the brigade board for ex-
animation. He has the good wishes of
all of the members of his command,
and TO the last Of them they hope he
Will pass the examination successfully.
Notes of the Guard.
The non-appearance OF enlisted men
at the inspections of their respective
is responsible for several dis
nlssals in the Guard this week.
An amusing incident of the inspection
If the Washington Light Infantry Tues
day night WAS the sending out of Il
guard to arrest an absent member Of
one of the commands. who thought more
IF a social function than he did of the
annual inspection. He was brought to
he armory by the guard and when his
name was called he answered to it, and
thereby saved his company a black
mark for attendance 1t is said he will
De dealt with later by the military au-
thoTities. and court-martial may be
he ultimate result.
LOCAL MENTION.