Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-24

Small Arms Practice.

Great interest is being shown throughout
the entire corps. says General Elliott, in the
subject of small arms target practice, but it
is still impossible, owing to the lack of
proper ranges. to bring the results of firing
up to the desired standard. Every effort is
being made to accomplish the best results
with the limited opportunities at hand but
until proper ranges are established the re-
turns, he says. must of necessity be unsatis-
factory and frequently discouraging. 1t is
earnestly hoped by General Elliott that
Congress will give this matter serious con-
sheraton during its coming session, and
that an appropriation for the purchase OF
land and construction of suitable ranges
can be obtained. Until that is done very
little progress can be made, he says in this
very important branch of the enlisted man
training.
Improving the Local Barracks.
The quarters of the brigadier general
commandant near the navy yard, construct
ed over one hundred years ago, were given
a thorough overhauling during the past
year. The exterior and interior of the
building were painted. walls papered and
modern system of plumbing installed.
The ceilings in the mess hall of the old
barracks have been renewed electric light
ing system rewired. plumbing repaired, and
woodwork reprinted. Minor repairs have
been made to ranges in the officers and
mems quarters, and a new range installed
in the junior officers quarters
Plans and specifications have been pre-
pared for the construction of an addition to
the new marine barracks including the
erection and furnishing of a band room,
ness hail. mems kitchen and gymnasium,
for which Congress appropriated s150,0o0 in
the act approved April %, 1904. 1t is the
desire of the officials to expedite the erec-
tion of the building in question at the ear
Hest practicable date. Gen. Elliott says
that the construction OF the guard house
and amusement room for the enlisted men
at this post is necessary, and provision
therefor appears in the estimates submitted
by the quartermaster for the next fiscal
year. The estimate is for $4,000.
Corps Headquarters Crowded.
Gen. Elliott says that the present offices
of marine headquarters In the Mills build
ing are seriously overcrowded. He recon-
nends that all the rooms on the sixth floor
of the new addition to the building be al
lotted to the Marine Corps. That addition.
he says. will enable the officers to bring at
least portion of their permanent ana
valuable records now in store in an imam
mable building at the marine barracks In
IL Is city to these headquarters
The Marine Band.
Regarding the Marine Band, Gen. Elliott
says:
Band has been brought to an even higher
state of efficiency than heretofore. largely
through the conscientious efforts and atten-
ton to duty of William H. Santelmann, the
leader The band, as during previous years,
has furnished the music for all receptions
and other occasions OF ceremony at the
White House, and in addition thereto gives
weekly concerts during the summer months
at the White House, Capitol grounds ana
the marine barracks, respectively. In this
city These occasionally are largely at
tended, and afford much pleasure to classes
of the population who would otherwise be
unable to enjoy a good musical program.
Eat this juncture it seems only proper
that the brigadier general commandment
should invite the attention of the depart
ment to the recommendation mace Dy ms
predecessor. Maj. Gen. Charles Haywood:
in his last annual report Gen. Haywood
earnestly suggested that the following
changes in the pay of the leader. second
leader and musicians OF the band be made,
and that they be paid as follows. viz: To
the leader, the pay and allowances OF a
captain in the Marine Corps; to the second
leader the pay and allowances of a second
lieutenant in the Marine Corps; to flrst-
class musicians 500 per month; to second
class musicians, SIS per month.
has the honor to most earnestly second. In
asmuch as It Is not only desirable but nee
essary that the best talent In the country
be secured In order to retain the present
high standard OF the band as an organiza-
tim. H
Unique Status Of the Band.
ssThis band differs In its status from any
other in the naval or military service of
the government. It Il called upon to par
form ct the most Important ceremonies con-
nscted with gnxernMsntal functions, whore