Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-18


Il meetings, matters pertaining to
the National Guard of the District
of Columbia are devoid Of special impor-
lance The next event to attract general
attention will be the distribution of rifle
practice decorations and the prizes won
in connection with the recent meet at the
range A feature of the assembly, the
date of which has not yet been selected,
will be the presentation of service medals
to those entitled to the same.
The opening of Congress will also enliven
matters somewhat. Again an effort is to
be made to secure the enactment of the
much desired legislation to provide for a
REORGANIZATION of the brigade to make 1t
conform to the new militia law. The
progress of the measure appropriating for
a new armory building will also be fol-
lowed with interest.
X *
The failure of the commanding officers
Of Companies F, G and H. LIST Regiment:
A and B, I'd Regiment; the Sd and 4th d.
visions, Naval Battalion, and the 1st Bat
terry, Field Artillery, to make their annual
returns of rifle practice have prevented the
inspector general of rifle practice. he says,
from completing his report. which was due
at the War Department the 10th instant
+ The records thus far compiled show the
following figures of merit for each of the
battalions:
1st Battalion, 4463; it's record for 1905
was 1912. Sd Battalion, 51.S2; its record
for 1905 was 5LO1. 9Th Battalion, 81. 81: its
record for 1905 was 1902. 9Th Battalion,
60. "a: it's record for 1905 was $3.50. LIST
Separate Battalion, 1906; its record for
1905 was 1900
The date when the insignia, prizes and
service medals will be presented cannot be
definitely stated as the requisition, which
was made special by the chief of ordnance.
has not yet been honored. The officers of
the 1st Separate Battalion have decided
to ask the commanding general to permit
them to have special ceremony in con-
nection with the presentation of insignia
and service medals due the officers and en-
listed men of that organization, to take
place on a date after the ceremony in con-
nectiOn with the general presentation. -
X
A number of inquiries have been made
concerning the rifle range Thanksgiving
day. If twenty-five or more officers and
men will notify Lieut. William A. Davall,
superintendent of the armory on or before
Saturday November "a, of their desire to
engage in matches, arrangements|will be
made to open targets at 200, 500 and 600
yards between 10 o'clock and 2:3O o'clock
the Doth instant.
The gallery will probably be open the
evenings OF the 26th and 9th instants for
a turkey shoot
Interest is being manifested in the propo-
sition to incorporate the National Rife AS
ISOLATION Of America by act of Congress.
bill for that purpose is now being draft
ed and will be presented to Congress If
the board Of directors of the association
approve 1t at it's annual meeting next
January. The rife association occupies
the same position toward rifle practice in
this country that the National Rifle Asso-
citation Of Great Britain does in that coun-
try, except that our association has re-
ceived no support from the government
and comparatively little from individuals.
William Waldorf Aston gave the British
association $4,000 in one gift.
~
The War Department has notified the
adjutant general of Missouri that the rent
ing Of grounds for target ranges or of
grounds or buildings for shooting galleries.
together with the expenses necessarily at
tending their adaptation for the above pur-
poses, can properly be paid from the states
increasing the militia appropriation and
under the order of the Secretary of War.
y
Progress is noted in the training of the
police of different cities to use their re-
volvers. Several police officers shot in the
national pistol match at Sea Girt last Sep
tember. The good work OF the local police
force, largely composed of ex-soldiers and
Marines is generally known. The latest is
from Rochester, N. Y. The city recently
spent several thousand dollars in equipping
the police with revolvers Of uniform make,
and was proud of its venture until It de-
veloped that only few Of the policemen
knew how to shoot. One captain admitted
that he had never fred revolver. and one
ten shots, it is reported. That opened the
eyes Of the police commissioner. who is
said to have declared that he will never
promote another man who cannot shoot
accurately. The regulations now prescribe
revolver, and every candidate for promo
ton is required to quality by making at
least twenty out OF possible fifty or he is
barred from the written examinations
In Michigan many new rife clubs are be-