The Washington times., 1905-03-12
GUARDS THINKING
Of SUMNER CAMP
Local Militia Is Anxious to
Know the Plans.
BEHIND IN THEIR SHOOTING
Soldiers Delayed in Armory Practice
by the Inauguration-Pra
by Urell.
BEHIND IN THEIR SHOOTING

thoughts OF camp are Hitting through
the minds of members of the District
militia. Nothing definite viii be known
about the annual encampment. however.
for a month or more. IT is understood
that camp will be held much earlier this
year than last.
The stir. occasioned by the preparing
for the Inaugural parade has subsidized.
There was general satisfaction all
through the Guard over the appearance
OF the militia in the parade. Colonel
Urel, commanding the Second Regi-
ment was SO thoroughly impressed by
the behavior OF his section OF the brig
ade that he instructed Adjutant Swigart
70 issue general order No. on Friday.
The order fellows:
THE colonel commanding desires to
express to the officers and men of the
Second Regiment the pleasure and graf
ifieation felt by him because of the fine
appearance and good behavior OF the
regiment during the parade OF the 18th
inst.
THE training and discipline Of the
men, as shown on that occasion, In their
soldierly conduct ana appearance and
excellent drill reflect great credit upon
both officers and men
The citizens OF the District OF Coz
Iunabia may well feel proud of their Sec
ond Regiment which, in the inaugural
parade. met and justified every hope and
confidence of its friends. The Individual
members should be as proud OF the fact
that their names are borne on Its rolls
as their colonel is of having the honor
to command such splendid regiment.
Adjutant Bretrs attention is now de-
naanded by the reports OF rife practice
OF the brigade during the month of Feb
ruary This is new task placed upon
him By the provisions dealing with the
more will have elapsed before the re-
ports reach the War Department.
Rife Practice.
Owing to the early closing of Congress
the bill providing for the reorganization
OF the District militia was not enacted
into law The officers of the guard
were given to understand, however,
that every effort would be made
at the beginning of the next ses-
sion of Congress TO have il act
I'd upon islth the first measures dis
posed Of One thousand and one hum
dred dollars in cash is available at the
present time and this is TO be used for
he Improvement OF the rifle practice
Tanss near Anaeostia. and work will
- commenced at an early date When
sesSs: her saoderates trsf1e more.
aaei. James T. Bel. inspector general
OF flIie practice. and other officers OF the
militia VIII go 10 the range and see ex-
actly what is needed and decide upon
tie most expeditions way OF bringing
about the improvements
The regular scheduled indoor rife
practice IN the gallery over the Center
Market has not yet been finished by the
guardsnen.
The rigid inspection and preparations
for the inauguration interfered material
~ with the schedule and the men are
far behind in their shooting. AS soon
as the weather begins 10 get warm sol
sdiers take an aversion 10 the indoor
range, and i is ike pulling teeth TO get
them 10 report FOR practice.
On the outdoor rstsge II is not SO bad
and They essszeS Ike this because il sa-
vors more o. spors than duty However,
much they may like 10 shoot On The
outdoor range they will not be able 10
fire single shell until the mueh-needed
improvements have been made.
The rain ard winds nave played havoc
with the targets and the ground. Great
ruts and ereviees have been plowed in
the ground BY the large streams OF
water which rolled down the adjacent
ernhanknents
In addition 10 this. complaint has been
registered with the District OF Columbia
Commissioners about shooting on the
range without the proper backstops It
Is ssid that one green guardsrnar.
fired shot AZ a target and 1t flew Wild.
striking neighber's house, blowing
through his wall and dropped in his bed
room
Fearing that he was Ia danger of
death the resident Of the house near the
range fed in disnay and hastily penned
long complaint TO the Commissioners.
This brought aDaut the desired action
for Major Bell called off all shooting un-
III the proper tael:stops. made of thick
1IaeFai, had been put up.
Recruiting Work.
Tho recruiting committee of Company
4, First Separate Battalion, has ar
ranged to meet the first and third Mon
days OF each month for the purpose of
examining those who apply for member
ship Applications must be signed he
two members Of the company. only
those applicants who are at least five
feet six ineaes IA height viii be ac-
eepted. TIE chairman of the commit
tee is Sergeant Ulysses r. Browne. Hay
wood Sneed, Edward D. Brooks, John
L. Smith. Charles II. Brown and Philiu
y. Coleman have recently joined the
company.
Company I. Second Regiment. should
be added 10 the list. heretofore publish
&C. OF organizations hayeiag 100 per cent
attendance 1t tie annual muster in Feb.
rsiarg
4 general order stimulating the uni
forms and equipment to be worn by the
National Guard OF the District of Column
bia. and especially BY the officers there
OF. Is being drafted at headquarters.