The Washington times., 1903-10-04
Members of Sea Grit Team
Indisposed to Approve
Commanding Generals
Plan to Dispose of Cash
Prizes.
lmpatience Also Over De-
laying of Pay for Twenty
Days Service = Extra
Drills for the Sherman
Exercises.

Much dissatisfaction exists among
members of the local team at the Sea
Grit rifle contests over General Har-
ries' plan to dispose of the $3.50 In prize
money won by them.
At Sea Grit in the early part of Sep
TENDER the National Guardsmen OF the
District of Columbia won second prize
in the DRYDEN match. and fourth prize
in the match for the National Trophy.
The aggregate of the two prizes was
$3.50. AS the commanding officer of the
District rihemen at Sea Girt. Major
James E. Bell, inspector general of rife
practice of the Guard. received this $3.50.
together with other prize money and
several medals.
General Harries. who visited Sea Girt
during the meet, ordered Major Bell to
turn the $3.50 over TO him
For a Special Prize.
Major Bell was given the money for
the winners. and they naturally went to
him for it. He informed them that Cen
erel Harries had the money, and the
commanding general, in turn, reported
that he intended 10 offer the money as
a special prize at the fall meet of the
District National Rife Association. in
order to provide an incentive for out-of-
town rihemen to attend. and make the
competition keener.
1t is said General Harries endeayored
10 procure the consent of all the men
who were Instrumental in winning the
money to put 1t up as a prize. but only
two. one Of whom is an inspector of rifle
practice. and the other independently
wealthy. agreed. The others baked. and
are at present baking.
Major Bell said yesterday he did not
know whether or not General Harries
would offer the $3.50 as a prize at the meet
which will be held within four weeks.
The dates originally selected were octo-
Der "A. %, 26, but owing to the fact that
hes~ished TO give his men more time to
practice, Major Bell. after a consulta-
ton Friday with General Harries and
Adjutant General Brett, decided to
change the dates to the 26. q. %, %.
Program Amended.
A program was arranged by Major
Bell conforming almost in every detail
with that Of last year. But General
Harries suggested several advisable
changes. and the program is now under
going revision. to be finished within
a few days. There are indications at
the present time that some OF the crack
shots Of the organization. somewhat put
oat by the new system OF paying prize
money and regular army pay for the
services on the range. contemplate
''frosting' this meet 1t is contended
that if General Harries offers the $3.50
prize 1t will be the largest cash trophy
ever advertised at local meet. and
serve to draw rifiemen from New Jer-
sey. New York. and other States. while
as previous meets only places as near as
Baltimore have been represented
Asking for Per Diem Pay.
The men who spent twenty days at
Sea Grit are still bowling for their per
diem pay for the service. General Har-
ries. 1t is said has issued a call for a
meeting of all OF the members of the
various teams for a talk Pending the
meeting growls are heard on all sides.
One of the officers purposes to make
requisition on the Auditor of the War
Department. and apprise him Of the
fact that he, as an officer OF rank. per-
formed twenty days service. and wants
pay provided for in the Dick militia
bill
General Harries assigns as his rea-
son for not paying the men for the
service that the pay rolls were made up
and signed without his approval or or
der, and therefore not valid.
For Sherman Statue Unwilling.
Drills viii be resumed this week, and
the company and battalion commanders
have been instructed to get their or
CARNATIONS in shape and condition for
the participation in the ceremonies at
tending the unwilling Of the Sherman
statue on October IS. In Washington
All OF the commanders have been in
structed to get every possible man and
gun into line on that day, and make as
good a showing as possible. Lieuten-
ant Colonel Brett will make his first
public appearance as adjutant general
Of the Guard on that day.
Complaint has been made, perhaps not
70 the proper authorities by several
veteran Guardsmen in regard to the un-
sanitary condition OF one OF the public
rooms on the first floor of the armoTy
over Center Market. This condition IS
said 70 have existed for several months
bat the nuisance has not been abated.