Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-04

The commanding general Of the District
| OF Columbia militia has received a com,
munication dated at the War Department
| May 81. and signed by the military secre-
! tary. as follows:
| In reply to your letter of the 25th In
slant, requesting approval of your action
In honorably dscharging from the District
4 of Columbia National Guard Col. Henry
| May, Lieut.. Col. Burton r. Ross and Chap
| lain Myer. 1st Regiment. in consequence OF
| the disarmament of the organization in
which they were commissioned, 1 have the
honor 10 inform you that your action In
this matter has been approved by the Sec
rotary OF War"
In summing up his lengthy opinion in
the case which was approved by the Secre-
tary Of War. Gen. Davis. judge advocate
general of the army. said:
Having regard to the independence OF a
public officer In the exercise of discretion
vested in him by statute, 1t would seem to
have been competent for the commanding
general of the District militia to have made
such a Encouragement of organizations as
is indicated in the order for the dlsband-
ment Of the LIST Regiment. When the regt-
ment of infantry was broken up the resi-
mental officers became suDernumerary TO
the legal establishment Of active militia In
the District OF Columbia, and. as no
supernumerary officers are provided for by
of section "A of the act of March l. 1889,
to issue an honorable discharge to the DIS
banded officers. setting forth the manner
in which their separation from the service
had been accomplished
Should Receive Secretary's Approval
Although the statute Is silent as to the
authority by whom the discharges. which are
provided for In section d. shall be signed
1t Is believed that as the commissions or
all officers are signed by the President
the discharge issued in this case should re-
oeive the approval of the Secretary OF War
Such a course was pursued in 1888 when
the 5th Battalion of Infantry was disband-
ed. That action was taken before the en-
actment of the present legislation In re
spect to the militia of the District or Co
lumbia, but the statutory grant OF power
to the President in the act of 1903, which
has been already referred to- correspond
ed very closely to that vested In the com
mandng general of the District militia oy
the act of March I, 1889. 1t Is therefore
recommended that the action of the COM
mandipg general be sanctioned by the Sec
rotary of War.
There appears to be no intention of imme-
dately rearranging the I'd, Sd and 4th Sep
arate Battalions as a regiment. Gen. Har-
ries says there is no need for hurrying. and
he Is not prepared to announce that the
new regiment will be organized prior to the
date for the beginning of the annual en-
ca mpment, August next.
The enlisted men of Company F. I'd
Regiment, have been transferred to Com
pany G. same regiment. Company f Is dis
banded and Capt. Wayne Smith of Com
pany r has been honorably discharged by
reason of such disbandment.
Naval Battalion in Maneuvers.
The Naval Battalion of the National |
Guard of the District of Columbia will sail |
away aboard the United States steamship |
Puritan next Thursday to participate in the |
Joint army and navy maneuvers. to be held |
from June II to II, in the Potomac river |
and Chesapeake bay. Commander Stratton |
has received Instructions to report TO the |
officer of the coast squadron |
at Annapolis, Md, at noon the 10th instant |
Thereafter until the close of the maneuvers |
the Naval Battalion and the Puritan will |
be under the orders of the commanding Of |
icer of the coast squadron. The indications |
are that the strength of the Naval Bat |
talon for this duty will consist of at least |
l3 officers and 200 enlisted men.
The local jackieS while on the outing will |
have the assistance OF volunteer marine |
guard" One captain. one first lieutenant. |
three sergeants, three corporals and TWEEN |
ty-four privates from tie several infantry |
of the District National
marine guard. The latter will be COM
handed by Capt. George l.. TAFT Company |
[, 4th Separate Battalion.
The Puritan will return to her anchorage |
day.
Schedule for Rifle Practice.
The official rifle practice of the troops of |
the National Guard on the new range will |
occur in accordance with the following |
schedule:
Company A, I'd Separate Battalion. Thurs |
day. June Is. |
Company B, I'd Separate Battalion, Fri (
day. June 16.
Company c, I'd Separate Battalion, Mon !
day. June 10.
Company D. ID Separate Battalion, Tues
day. June 20.
Company E. Sd Separate Battalion, We'd
nesday, June 81
Company r, Sd Separate Battalion, |
June %
Company G. Sd Separate Battalion, Fri
day. June %.
Company H, Sd Separate Battalion. Mon |
day, June %.