Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-15
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Reception Last Evening
Aboard the US. s. Puritan.
JACK TARS "AT HOME"
SERGEANT LOCHLIN CHOSEN TO
COMMAND SIGNAL CORPS.
Pay Of Canadian Militia - Promoting
Rifle Practice-How to Learn
to Shoot.
JACK TARS AT HOME"

The principal event of the week ending
today so far as the National Guard Of
the District of Columbia is concerned, was
the reception last evening aboard the u s.
8. Puritan, at which Lieutenant Commander
Brummett and the other officers of the
Naval Battalion were hosts. The guests ir
cluded Mr.. Henry B. F. mcfarland, presf-
dent of the Board of Commissioners of the
District of Columbia, and Commissioners
West and Biddle: General Harries, COM
manding the District of Columbia militia,
and the officers of his staff, a number Of
officers of the District National Guard, off,
GERS of the Maryland Navy Militia and fire
department and of the National Guard
of Minnesota, and many civilian friends of
the officers of the battalion. Fully one
half of the gathering was composed Of
aides. The affair was in the nature of y
housewarming, an opportunity being given
those interested in the organization Of local
ia ckies to inspect the modern warship
that was recently assigned for the use
and training of the command.
The Puritan is anchored in the Potomac
river near the Naval Battalion's wharf.
The guests were promptly transported
from the wharf to the Puritan, two steam
launches being used for that purpose The
ward the end Of the wharf, so that the en-
barking of the passengers on the launches
was accomplished as safely as though the
sun had been shining at the time. Officers
on the wharf first received the guests and
there extended every courtesy. Ensign
Frank w. Sigourney was deck officer, and
he greeted the visitors when they reached
the monitor The latter was in holiday at
tire for the occasion. The main deck aft
was inclosed and brilliantly lighted by
myriads of incandescent electric lamps
The National Guard Brigade Band was in
attendance and rendered appropriate selec-
lions throughout the evening. Nearly ev-
cry part of the ship was open for 1nspee-
ton, and officers were on hand to explain
the workings Of the big guns and other
things. From fire room to coming tower
the guests roamed and climbed, and evil
IDENTIFY appreciated all they saw
After a sumptuous collation. had been
served in the ward room the launches were
again called into use. The guests then ex-
tended congratulations ana naoe iaIew zen
to the Naval Battalion's officers and to the
Puritan and went ashore. The sides were
manned for the District Commissioners ana
General HarrieS.
Signal Corps Election.
The Signal Corps last evening held meet
ing that was full of surprises. 1t was call
ed for the purpose of electing first lieu
tenant to succeed Thomas d. Evans, VINO
recently resigned his commission. Lleuten-
ant Evans presided and called the meeting
to order, briefly announcing the object OF
the assembly. The first surprise was
caused by Private Williams. who withdrew
from the race and in short complimentary
speech nominated his opponent, Sergt. VIII
bert E. Locklin. The nomination having
been seconded, Private HUM urged the men
to make the election by reclamation. The
motion was unanimously carried.
Sergeant Lochlin reviewed the cred1tabie
record of Lieutenant Evans and spoke of
his efforts to advance the efficiency of the
corps Lieutenant Evans in reply thanked
both Sergeant Lochlin and the men of the
corps for their unfailing support and as
sured all concerned of his continued inter-
est in the success of the command The
meeting was then adjourned and upon the
motion of one of the enlisted men cheers
were given for Lieutenant Evans and Sergt.
Lochlin. A short farewell drill was next in
order Later Sergeant Lochlin invited the
corps to join him in an oyster supper as an
evidence of his appreciation of the manner
of his election and parting compliment
to Lieutenant Evans.
A Topic Always Interesting.
The matter of pay of troops is always
of interest to national guardsmen The
rates that prevail In Canada, according to
an order just promulgated increasing the
pay of the militia, follow:
Colonies, from S486 to S. a day; ma jors,
1890 to 81 a day; captains, $3.50 to So a
day; lieutenants, 81. 5S to 81 day; provi
sional lieutenants, s1.2S to so day.
Recruits will receive the first year 80
cents, and If their conduct is good they
will get 10 cents a day the second year.