The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-17
INSPECTION OF
NATIONAL GUARD
Disturbed Over Closing OF
0rdWay Range.
MANEUVERS AT MANASSAS
win Probably Not Be Participated IN
By District Men, as Only Four Hun
dred Men Could Serve.


the National Guard and that half which
was not looked over by Adjt. Gen
Lloyd NJ Brett in the past six days
will have its inning his week.
The Maryland Legislature. seconded
lN Governor WarheId, has dealt the
National Guard OF the District a blow
in the solar pleXQs- When Governor
Wariield fixed his signature 10 the blh
prohibiting rife or revolver shooting
at Ordway Range Il became a law. From
that minute the local citizen-soldiery
were forbidden to fire even a toy pistol
on the range. which was rated as one
OF the best in the country, and which
served the Guard to such excellent ehd'
being in no small manner the making
of most all of the crack shots and eN-
pert marksmen in the organization To-
dav The National Rifle Association of
the District Of Columbia is also af-
fected. The association leased, operated
and controlled the range. ana the Guard
rented IL for use in the fall and spring
No Site in Mind.
officials OF the Guard say they have
no site in mind at present but steps
must be taken Immediately and a new
range fitted up within a few miles OF
Washington.
Major Bell, inspector general of rife
practice OF the brigade, says efforts VIII
be made 10 procure desirable site
somewhere contiguous 70 Washington,
presumably in Alexandria county, va
ont of reach and sight Of dwellings. I'm
fortunately for the Guard there was
small dwelling in the rear Of the targets.
and while a Second Cavalryman from
Fort Myer was practicing on the range
last spring one OF his bullets went wild
and did things after it struck the target
that no other lead ball has ever been
accused of dong. The bah struck the
top of the target ana glanced of over
a hill, a thousand yards away. Had II
kept straight on it would have become
imbedded in the post of the fence around
the house, but in some unaccountable
manner il changed it's course and struck
an aged blind woman in the thigh and
slightly injured her. She was offered a
sum OF money by the Gucrd. and Major
Bell frequently made trips TO the house
10 carry her fruit and dainties and &c
inquire if she needed anything. With
the exception of the acceptance Of the
courtesies Of Major Bell the woman re-
fused any assistance from the Guard.
Inspired by Others.
1t is the popular belief that she wa:
put up TO this by persons living in th'
vincinity of the range who We're de
ter1nined 10 have the place abolished
and used the accident as conclusive
proof that il was dangerous and no
conducive 10 the best interests of TIL
citizens of Maryland. Major Bell is au
thority for the statement that none o
the Guardsmen has made a wild shO
anything like the cavalryman, and N
other accident has occurred at tn
range.
On Monday and Tuesday evenings tn
last Of the company team matches vii
be shot. The distance will be 600 yards
and owing 10 the intense rivalry and IN
close scores in the other matches a
shorter distances, some high figures wi
probably be recorded and great deal O
interest viii be manifested in the mater
Next week the battalion and regiments
match at Co yards viii be shot IN tn
indoor practice gallery Of the Cente
Market Armory.
Camp at Manassas.
The United States Government Ia
leased the Manassas battlefield, te
miles long and FIVE miles wide, for
sham campaign in which 1900 regG!a
army men. and 1900 National Guard.
men viii participate I'm September
IS highly improbable that the Distrit
Militia viii participate I'm these maneul
ers for several reasons. The principa
one IS the late date. and then agai
only one battalion could go 20 the cam
and the other battalions would have
go 70 an independent camp, so Generi
Harries VIII probably keep all Of b
boys together and participate in bl
one encampment IN the two midd
weeks OF August
The campaign at Manassas will be
most instructive and interesting OF
General COrbin. commander Of the d
partment Of the East is preparig q
plans for il ard officials Of the War d
partment say Il viii eclipse all previo'
maneuvers held by the army. The ba
tie ground Is filed with woods farm
rolling plains and hillocks. The oppc
ing forces will become hostile at Z
beginning OF the campaign and rema
so until it Is concluded. It is said
brigadier general will command ca
force and scenes akin to actual warfa
win be enacted.
VIII Not Participate.
As 1900 men is a small per cent
all the Guardsmen in the country a
no particular States could be given
monopoly on the campaign. it has be
decided that each State shall have II
resentatiOn according TO the strength
Its National Guard. New York '
therefore have an entire brigade a
Pennsylvania probably two The d
trict would have less than 100 men, q
for that reason General Harries v
not take part in the campaign.
II is rumOred that Major Neume
is looking for a camp site In the vic
ity OF Charleston. W Va. and anot
officer Is looking up points facts.
figures on Mount Gretna. Pa. The
cation Of the camp viii not be
nounced untn General Harries retu
from . trip Cf several weeks in Euro
Imports Hosiery Direct.
One OF the most exclusive stocks