The San Francisco call., 1904-03-10
PRACTICE FIRE
DRILL At POST
Inspector Sounds Alarm for
Preside Troops, Who
Promptly Respond to Call
BUFORD SAILS TO-DAY
Transport VIII Take Six
Hundred Marines and Cas-
uals to the Philippines

An alarm OF IRE threw the post at
the Preside into a great state OF sx-
element yesterday afternoon. Of
ncers and enlisted men at once sprang
from their occupations and rushed 10
the engine-house quarters, where the
bugle's shrill call had summoned
them. Captain George P. White, fire
marshal OF the post, was one Of the
first on the scene Of action. From all
sides poured cavalry. artillery and in
fanry. Each rushed TO its proper po-
sition. The court-martial, composed
Of high ranking officers Of the post.
who were sitting IN solemn dignity,
was suddenly dissolved and the Of
ncers rushed 10 their respective posi-
tons Of duty. Next was raised the
cry, Where is the fre?" Then it be-
came evident from the command Of
Colonel Morris. who shouted Save
the Y. n. c. A. building" that the
alarm vas given as the result OF the
orders Of Major John p. Wiser, who
IS now making his annual inspection
OF the post and was in reality simply
e fire drill 10 test the efficiency Of the
corps at the post. The new Babcock
engine was brought out and had a
stream on the supposed blaze two min
utes after the call. Then came the
hOsecarts, which were rushed out and
down the hill at an amazing rate of
speed. The hook and ladder truck
followed in a remarkably short space
Of time. ladders were thrown UP to
the building and two heavy streams
We're pouring on the supposed flames.
The bucket brigade was then called
into line and buckets were passed with
great alacrity by the colored troop
ers. Occasionally an empty bucket on
the return line would go shy of the
target, the result being close contact
TO a troopers head.
The fire call was entirely unexpect-
ed, but the alacrity with which the
troops responded showed that the Of
fcers of the Preside are keeping the
men well drilled and up to the mark.
The problem field exercise by the
third squadron. Ninth Cavalry, on the
golf links al the Preside yesterday was
eminently satisfactory 10 the command
ing officer. The prescribed line Of ac-
tion was moi exactly carried out as out
lined by Major BigeloW. as he had ex-
pected 10 have three troops act on the
attacking line whereas he only had
two. The third one was left behind in
charge Of the ambulances and relays,
which were slow getting into action.
Consequently when he did arrive on the
field and was prepared 10 make the ad-
vance he found himself shy one troop.
In the meantime Captain Young with
lis troop. ], had so taken up position
on the field that they could prevent any
possible advance Of Major Bigelow's
forces. and the latter were compelled
10 retire. The cavalry viii have a sim
liar drill next Wednesday on the same
grounds
The transport Buford is scheduled to
sail at j m. sharp. to-day provided
the marines due 70 arrive from Wash
ington. ID. c.. at 4 a. m. are here. The
following officers 90 in command Of the
marines. Major c. A. Doyen; Captains
J. C. Treadweu. II. o. Bisset, P. s.
Brown. Harry Lee. T. NJ. Wise and T.
r Archer. First Lieutenants @. II.
Msther, Charles T. Westcott, Thomas
Holcomb and Z. A Greene; Second
Lieutenants H. c. Egan. c. F. Williams,
T. n ute. II l. = dlIls = W lllldLllS,
T. c. Mcconnell. T. Howard, r. o. IN
derwood. J. F. Dwyer, r. B. Creecy and
Surgeon J. S. Taylor.
Major r. c. Van Vliet and Captain
Frank /. Winn left yesterday for a
Trip down the Southern Pacific as far
as Sargent to try and find a location
FOR target practice grounds This mat
ter has been Duzzling the officials for
some time past, but it was thought the
matter had been finally settled when
the site back Of Fort Baker was select
cd. The owner Of that property, how
ever put such a high value upon his
place that il made its purchase posi-
lively prohibitive, and that idea was
abandoned. A site south from here viii
IN all probability be selected.
General Macarthur. accompanied by
his aid. Major =. w West. will inspect
the transport Buford at 1890 a m. to-
morrow.