The Washington times., 1905-01-08
GUARD PREPARES
FOR INAUGURATION
Raw Recruits Being Whip
ped Into Shape
DolNGs OF PAST WEEK
Repairs to Drill Hall Delayed-Hard
Rife Practice Now the Rule.
Several Officers Resign


Caruenters engaged to make the neces-
sarv renairs to the drill hall of the Ma
tional Guard Armory, over the Ninth |
Street wing of the Center Market, work |
ed night and day last week. but did not
succeed In getting 1t In condition Tor
use tomorrow evening. 1t is believed
however. that the hall will be ready by
The middle of this week.
The tearing up of the drill hall floor
following close upon the holiday season
has created lull in National Guaro
circles, and there has been practicais
nothing to interest the citizen-soioiers-
It is net believed however, the three
weeks rest will have deterloratlng
influence upon the Guardsmen, because
their superior officers, realizing that Two
OF three weeks have been lost, VIII ex-
ert themselves to rearouse enthusiasm
IN their proteges.
Effect of New Rules
AS to the new regulations recently
adopted by the War Department for
the regular army and National Guards
of the various States, there is much to
be said and done on the part OF the
officers and men in the local soldiery-
In order to perfect themselves Tor ser
vice in the inaugural parade or coca
sions subsequent to that function, the
local volunteers will have to do a
great deal of work and show more en-
thusiasm than has characterized their
movements within the past six
months
This year, in contrast to the custom
Inc Sf he
regular army board, the inspection Of
the quarters and condition OF the men.
and yearly muster of the guard will be
held at the same time in the drill
hall. Captains Riggs and Parker and
Major Ourand. of the local militia, will
in all likelihood compose the board
which inspects the citizen-soldiers for
the War Department Lieut.. Col.
Lloyd NJ Brett will have supervision
over the annual muster.
Last Tuesday night the regular
schedule for rife practice, drafted by
Major James E. Bell, inspector gem
eral of Rifle Practice OF the District of
Columbia Militia, went into effect
Thus far the work on the part of the
enlisted men has been fairly crafty
Ing to the inspector, who Is one of the
most competent instructors in the art
of handling firearms, as well as one
of the foremost shots in the United
States Army today.
Lack Elementary knowledge.
Major Bell seems to be impressed with
the idea that the Guardsmen are lacking
In knowledge as to the elementary prin-
ciples of handling a rife. He believed
this to be due to nervousness more than
anything else The responsibility for
rio f,c aft rif fed TO no
superior officers through their failure TO
give the men under them the proper in
Etructions or coaching.
With constant work. however, IL is
believed by Major Bell that he can de-
yelop some crack shots from the num-
Der of raw recruits AS soon as the men
get accustomed to their pieces" and
realize that rife practice is the most
necessary thing a soldier has to learn
1t is believed that better work will
be seen.
Owing to the fact that almost every
command was recruited up to its full
complement before the last annual en-
campment at Harper's Ferry, there are
a great number of unframed soldiers II
the ranks This necessitates a grea
deal OF work on the part Of the officer.
who must coach them in the art OF
drilling properly. as well as facing thu
targets with success
Inaugural Parade.
Officers of the Guard who participate
In the inaugural parade. March 4, mus
wear the new olfve-drab uniform. Sucl
IS the ruling OF the commanding general
II is learned at District militia headquar
tiers. and instructions on the subject vii
very likely be issued as sooa as the OF
.rats
the requirements of the uniform orde
about to be issued by the War Depart
ment
Although the local officers will be ella
in the new overcoat. the enlisted me
viii wear the blue top-coat, for tn
reason that il is impossible at presen
10 secure an issue of the latest reguia
ton garment
Pay rolls for the past six months ar
being received at headquarters daily
orders require that they shall all reac
the adjutant general not later than tn
10th of this month Capt. Andrew Park
er, acting paymaster, is anxious to dis
burse the funds to those entitled
them. as early as possible this month.
The earlier the pay rolls reach head
quarters the earlier the Guardsme
will be paid.
Resignation of Officers.
Several officers have rendered thei
designations during the past few day.
Those who have decided to give up the
military duties are Capt. William
Dix, Company D. First Regiment; Fir,
Lieut.. Benjamin F. OdeiI, adjutan
First Battalion.
Sergt. Thomas s. Hafloran has bee
elected second lieutenant of Company
Second Regiment.
The enlisted men Of Company K. SCI
ond Regiment, have been ordered to a.
semble Wednesday. the 18th, for the pu
pose of electing first lieutenant. Ma
William E. Harvey, Sixth Battalio
will preside IT the election
The officers of the Second Regimen
met at regimental headquarters, Frids
evening and discussed matters pertain
fpU IN rba general brttermeut of III