Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-15

a n invitation has been extended to
~ all members of the National
~ Guard of the District of Columbia
who are ambitious of serving on
the brigade rife teams the pres
ent season TO meet the inspector general
Of rifle practice at the rife gallery, Sat
urday. April 81, at o:5O O'Clock pm. At that
time a system of training will be outlined,
intended to place the contestants in proper
physical condition for the work of prepara-
ton for the contest for positions on the
team, which will be recommended for or
ganization much earlier than in past years
Ten of the fourteen eligibles for the Burk-
hart medal match reported for the con-
test last Wednesday evening. Previous to
the match Lieut. William B. Sullivan was
picked for the winner. but his failure to re-
port lost him the chance until next year.
The totals were as follows: Lieut.. A. B.
Weir 1873; Capt. T. P. Heap. 1888; Sergt.
j. B. Murray. 1874; Corporal ]. W. Poor,
1872; Sergt. F. A GoedaI, 12S; Seaman j.
A. Sherman, 12s; Lieut.. "a. Kene.pp. I27:
Corporal F. L. Utterback 119: Maj. s. Por-
ter House, III, and Sergt. E. c. Hammer
ly, 115.
Lieut., Weir was the winner on a tie, his
total at 500 yards having been A, to As for
Capt. Heap.
The averages in the match were. with
few exceptions excellent. Possibles were
made by Lieut.. Weir and Sergts Murray
and Goodall. An unfortunate and unac-
countable miss probably lost the match
to Sergt. Murray. Former Private Ernest
Bairstow. who holds the record In this
match OF 1876 out Of 200. witnessed the con-
test. He dropped in, as he expressed 1t.
in company with Mrs. Bairstow to see IL his
record was to be smashed.
Members Of the teams to shoot In the
match at Annapolis are practicing on the
range. An effort is being made to have
the range opened for general practice on
or before Monday, April %.
The new score cards for the range are
to be placed in use Immediately They are
provided with a miniature target. with In
structions to record and spot each shot
thereon, with information as to how much
one point of wind or elevation on the sights
Of the rifle will affect and change the To-
cation of a shot on the target, provided the
rifle Is properly held. This is intended to
train the rifemen to carefully note the
value and location OF evey shot fired and
to record the changes of windage or ele-
vafions.
No one will be permitted to fire a score
without using this record. and no addi-
tional ammunition Will be issued until the
card and the empty shells are returned to
the ONCE OF the superintendent of the
range.
In his report to the major general COM
msIsding the army at the close of the war
with Spain the inspector general recon-
mended that the militia system be recon-
structed on the basis of a more intimate
relation to the national government. "One
of the most serious defects noted during
the Standardization war;" he said, was
the inexperienee and utter disregard Tor
the most elementary principles of military
life in large camps" The archaic militia
law of 1Tg2 has been blotted from the stat
ute book. and we have new system. maia-
tanned in part by federal appropriations and
depending for its efficiency upon federal
corporation. The inexperience of the Ma
tional Guardsmen field soldiers Is still
glaring defect in their training. In equip
ment they are better prepared for service
than they were In 1893. but 1t may be
themselves any better in camp and on the
march Than when they were found wanting
before.
There were the maneuvers at Manassas,
It is true: but what did they prove. except
that man for man the volunteers were not
physically as At as the regulars? The forced
marches left no time, or precious little, TO
learn from tho professional soldiers how 10
make and break camp. to cook, pack ana
prepare for the marah. and to attend to |
tho multifarious details Of military duty
which can never be learned from the |
books or practfced In the summer state |
camps enthusiastically. The maneuvers show |
but Hhiis thsrs wsre misis "a rses Ir
that DISTINGUISHED themselves, the National