Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19

such assemblies, 1t has been suggested
should be rewarded by being excused from
further drills during the year. OF in some
other manner.
In view of the continuing lack of attend
ance at drills 1t is understood that definite
action to better the state of affairs will be
taken in the very near future.
Further, IL is probable that one or more
provisional companies will be organized for
the drill and instruction certain afternoons
of those guardsmen who are employed at
night.
Prizes to be Distributed.
The rife practice decorations, for which
requisition was recently made, have ar
rived. The ceremony of distribution of
these decorations and also of the prizes
won in the competitions at the range has
been set, conditionally, for Tuesday, the
2Sth instant.
The election of the following has been re-
ported to headquarters:
Second Lieutenant Ivan X. Strassburger,
company H, LIST Regiment, to be captain,
to fill the vacancy that resulted from the
promotion Of Captain Hodgson to be ma
jor of the I'd Battalion; First Sergeant Ed
ward D. Turnure. company +, LIST Regi-
ment to be second lieutenant, and Private
Frank E. Mccoy of the same company to
be first lieutenant: Corporal George M.
Lands, LIST Battery, Field Artillery. TO be
second lieutenant.
company X, LIST Regiment, has rendered
his resignation to accept the second lieu
tenancy Of company G. LIST Regiment.
First Lieutenant f. H. Heidenrich. COM
pany /, 1st Regiment, has accepted COM
mission as inspector Of rife practice, 9th
Battalion. The resignation of Second
Lieutenant Herbert ]. Bryson of company
/, LIST Regiment. has been accepted. Sec
ond Lieutenant Jeremiah Hunt, company
E, I'd Regiment, and First Lieutenant
John S. Coombs, company L, I'd Regiment.
have rendered their designations.
Target and Physical Training.
In his annual report to the War Depart
ment for the southwestern division Brig.
Gen. Frank D. Baldwin makes some inter-
esting observations on rifle practice and the
physical training of soldier. He says.
81 am convinced that the physical train
ing of the soldier is not only as important
and necessary as his training In target
practice. but success In the latter depends
upon the proper application of the former.
For without the proper physical condition
the soldier cannot endure the hardships in
cident to campaign. and which always
precede the actual combat, nor can he
stand the excitement and nervous tension
bound to be encountered in the actual con-
fiiet. So, in order to have sufficient num-
Der Of men in the fighting line when the oc-
casion demands. and then to have men who
can shoot with precision and accuracy, we
must put all men through physical train
ing, developing their muscles, endurance,
ETC., along with the target training. One Is
as important as the other and is a compile
ment OF the other"
In this connection 1t Is pointed out that
one of the greatest advantages OF rife
practice to civilians and to the organized
militia is that, being necessarily an outdoor
sport, the exercise afforded In the open air
Is OF great personal benefit to those sndul-
ging in II.
The report states that the steps taken by
the national board for the promotion OF
rife practice have had an excellent effect
IN that division. The number OF teams
representing the various states and terR-
tories of the division at the national COM
petition at Sea Girt this year showed a
marked increase In khe number of teams
over those sent last year. thus showing
that greater interest was taken in the SUBJ
5ect than ever before.
A strong effort Is now being made to Sc
cure sufacient indoor and outdoor ranges TO
admit OF civilian rifle and revolver practice.
OF course, under restrictions laid down by
the War Department. Il Is generally adj
mitted that this feature Of the work Is OF
greatest Importance to the police depart
msnts Of the various uttAea In 49, ecunr