Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-26
THE NATIONAL GUARD
N-sszs s-s~ LII -. -.As>@
Christmas Holiday Lull is
Now at'''Itss::H Height.
SEA GIRTspRIzE MONEY
DIFFERENCE j OF OPINION RE-
: GARDING IT NqT SETTLED.
Dryden Trophy Has Arrived-strength
Of Maryland Brigade
cism Of Militia Law.
SEA GIRT,ssPRizE MONEY


far as the troops of the National Guard of
the District of Columbia are concerned.
Not until the advent of the New Year will
activity again be apparent at the several
armories. Drills and meetings have been
suspended generally throughout the brigade
and the quarters of the several commands
present a deserted appearance.
The officers of the general staff Of the
District militia have been ordered to as
semble in full-dress uniform, in the west
corridor. second floor, War Department
building, next Friday morning, January L
not later than 11:25 O'clock and proceed
thence to pay their respects to the Presi-
dent of the United States.
That Sea Girt Prize Money.
The difference of opinion that arose last
fall regarding the distribution of the prize
money won by the District brigade team In
the national match at Sea Girt and as to
the right of members of the local detach-
ment to pay under the new militia law in
connection with the Jersey trip, 1t seems,
has not been settled. 1t is reported that
several of those who were members Of the
team have taken steps to prosecute before
the accounting officers of the Treasury
Department with the view OF collecting
what they claim Is their share Of the
prize money, and that at least one officer
the pay for Sea Girt services which, he
says, he is entitled to under the militia
law.
Interesting developments are likely, 1t Is
declared. In the event subordinate officers
and enlisted men take steps to override the
brigade commander in connection with the
matter at issue. officers who are in close
touch with headquarters do not hesitate to
akin to official suicide. 1t is pointed out
by those who are certainly in a position to
know that further opposition to the brigade
commander in this matter must of neces-
sity terminate the usefulness, as officers
and men Of the local citizen soldiery, of the
individuals who may persist in bringing
themselves in conflict with the stand taken
by their military superior.
Dryden Trophy Has Arrived.
The elaborate Dryden trophy of bronze,
which was won last September at Sea Grit
N. j., by the team representing the infantry
branch of the United States army has been
received at the War Department. The
trophy will be kept in a corridor of the War
Department and the members Of the win
ming team each year will receive from the
department a weii-mounted photograph of
the trophy.
The huge bronze plate in the center of
the trophy, supported on one side by
bronzessoIdier and on the other by bronze
sailor, is covered with two-inch discs upon
which will be engraved the winning team Of
each year. In the center of this plate is
much larger disc, upon which is engraved:
won in 1903 by the United States Infantry
Team" Below this plate and just above
the pedestal is engraved the following:
Presented by Honorable John f. Dryden.
United States senator from New Jersey.
for annual competition under the auspices
of the New Jersey State Rifle Ass oc1ation.
Open to teams of eight from the military
departments of the United States Army.
the navy. the Marine Corps and the Ma
tional Guards of the states and territories,
including the District of Columbia"
New York in the Lead.
The assertion is made that national
guardsmen of New York lead all the state
forces in the Union in craftsmanship, not
only as to numbers of qualified shots in the
aggregate, but also in the more difficult
grades of shooting among the sharpshoot-
ers There are now four grades of marks
manship. A distinguished expert must
make at least 40 points out of possible
80 at 900 and 600 yards, and an expert the
same a 700 and 500 yards. sharpshoOter
must make AZ points out of possible 30 at
500 and coo yards, and a marksman 80 out
of 80 points al 200 and 800 yards.
The state this year, as shown by the OFF,
cial report of Col. N. B. Thurston ordnance
officer and Inspector of small arms practice,
has qualified at outdoor ranges 1O.520 OFF,
GERS and men in rifle shooting in the ag-
gregate among the several grades. These
are divided as follows: Two hundred and
eighty-two distinguished experts. 423 ex-
perts, 1022 sharpshooters and S.793 marks
men.
No other state. it is claimed, expends so
much ammunition in teaching it's soldiers
to shoot. and none are as thoroughly drilled
in shooting New York.
Strength of Maryland Guard.
The strength of the Maryland National
Guard the LIST instant was as follows: OFF,
GERS, 165: enlisted men. 2,11S. By commands
the strength Is as follows: Brigade staff,
officers, 8; enlisted men, Z; total, 49, First
Regiment, officers. So; enlisted men, Gas;
total. 69s. Fourth Regiment, officers. Al;
enlisted men. 66S; total, 715. Fifth Regi-
ment. officers, 10: enlisted men. 6S1; total,
$50. First Separate Company officers, 3;
enlisted men, go; total, 3d. Troop A, Off
GERS. 3; enlisted men. 40; total. 81. Signal
Corps, officers, 1; enlisted men, s; total 8.
The percentage of officers and men pres
as follows: Brigade staff, 100; 1st Regi-
ment. 10; 4th Regiment, SO; 9Th Regiment,
a. LIST Separate Company, 81; Signal Corps,
IS. The percentage OF the entire brigade
present for duty was 53.
Criticism of Militia Law.
The new militia law is criticised by GER
tain southern newspapers on the ground
among others, that it would enable the
President to impose upon the militia of one
state by using it to. suppress violence In
another state, thus practically centralizing
the control of the military power in the
hands of the federal government. On this
point one paper says: This is the time for
the representatives Of the south in Con-
gress at Washington to secure such amend
ment of the militia law as will save the
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