The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-01-11
wAsHlNoroNi s IN THE LEAD.
National Guard Of State Exceis All
Others In Course &C."

: ~ =
National Guard Of state Exesis All
Others In Course &C."
OLYMPIA, Jan. .l0.--Washington's
National Guard in workmanship may
rank at the head Of all similar organi-
cations in this county. using the war
departments special course co. in
structions to govern. target practice.
The standing of the Washington guard
is much superior to that of any other
organization from which reports have
been received. The guard stands seven
points higher than Wisconsin's crack
organization, which thus far is at the
top. 80.
Course c Is the one provided by the
war department for the purpose of
making target practice uniform
throughout the country. This is the
course the Washington guard uses and
comparisons can only be made between
guards adopting the same policy.
: Comparing washington with Wiscon-
sin, this state has developed forty
three expert marksmen with one-tnird
of the national guard strength that
Wisconsin has. That state has but
expert marksmen. Wash
ington's fourteen military companies
have a rating of 1886. while Wiscon-
sins forty one are rated at All.
The work of the national guard at
the target practice will be shown by
Adjutant Gen. James A. Drain in a re-
port that will be out in a few days
Eight members Of Company E. at
North Yakima, qualified this year as
expert rifiemen under the United
States army regulations. First Lieut..
J. M. Curry, of Company E, leads the
guardsmen of the state with a per-
centage of 743.
Ger. Drain Second.
Adjt.-Gen. Drain, who has been
in competition with the men
Of the guard, in part through love of
the sport and in part to encourage
greater rivalry, was beaten out for first
place in the list Of marksmen by ]. J.
Cairns, first sergeant In Company G.
In the guards ratings, 200 is the
highest possible number of points. This
taken into consideration shows the re-
work of Company e. of
North Yakima, which Is probably the
crack infantry company In the coun-
That organization secured
1862 points. Company F of HoQuiam,
which stands second. is given a rating
of lo1.s0, and Company D of Seattle
has 66.a2. v< -.
A general order Is in course Of pre-
in the acknowledgements Of
ice directing Col. Kinzie to visit all
the companies Of the national guard
IN the state. holding a series Of night |
schools. at which officers. and men will |
n instructed in target practice.
i, Indoor Target Practice.
Gen. Drain. after a great deal Of ex- |
has finally solved the tar
get practice problem. The regular |
Krag ammunition Is 80 expensive and |
he bullets have such a penetration
hat target practice not only has to be
on out Of doors, but 1t Is linn
ted because of its cost. The adjutant- |
general has had made 20 caliber rifle !
oarrel that fits on the stock OF the reg
alar rife. 1t shoots small cartridge |
which is very cheap. A new indoor |
range and target has been built and
targets have been reduced in size so
Is to give the relative bullseye that /
would be had at longer ranges.
The biennial report of the aijutant-
general is not yet out. but in it will
be a recommendation to the legislature
that the appropriations made for ar
nories in Tacoma, Seattle and Spo- |
kane be continued.