Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18


departments Of the brigade
are busily arranging drill ana sociai
programs for the coming season.
1t has been found that scores MADE
by many of the officers and enlisted
men who were entered in the rlfle
matches served to increase their grade
in oualificat ions, and also that the
fourth class has been considerably de-
creased in number. A special effort is
to be made to induce those who have
not yet fired their scores to do so before
the last of the present month, when
the range season will close.
Maj Anton Stephan, commanding the
1st Battalion of the I'd Regiment. has
made arrangements for the members
of his staff to fire their revolver quail
fication scores, all having qualified with
the rifle.
With only two exceptions every COM
pany commander in the guard has been
and is showing commendable interest In
securing the qualifications Of the de-
linguents, each vying with the others
to present the largest percentage of
qualified men when the season closes.
Col. Charles H. Gather, captain of the
Maryland team, stated that the per-
centage of increase in qualifications in
the Maryland guard is most marked
and gratifying this season. Gen. Bird
w. Spencer of the New Jersey guard eN-
pressed himself as much pleased with
the trip of his team to the District of
Columbia rifle matches, but was disap-
pointed at landing in last place. 1t
can be stated in excuse for the low
scores that four of the six team men
used rifles which were loaned to them
at the rifle range, the chest containing
their rifles, which had been sent by
express, having failed to reach here
at the hour of commencing the match.
Any rif1eman will recognize the dis
advantage under which a competitor
in a match would labor. not knowing
definitely the normal of his piece either
as to windage or elevation. Under the
circumstances Gen. Spencer and the
team men, Maj. Bell says, need feel no
chagrin at being tailenders. for once.
The splendid luncheon served by
Mai. Neumeyer. commissary general. to
the contestants. during the matches.
and especially that prepared for the
visiting riflemen, made and has left
a very gratifying impression on all
who took part in the work at the
range.
The members of the band stationed
at Fort Myer fired their mounted pistol
practice scores at the range last Mon
day and Tuesday.
Thus far 1o1 officers and enlisted men
entitled to qualify with the revolver
have finished their scores.
Important changes in the program for
the national rifle matches will probably
be made at the next annual meeting of
the national board for the promotion Of
rifle practice. A number of suggestions
have been advanced to relieve the situa-
ton incident to the winning of the first
four places in the national team match
by the teams representing the regular
service.
So much distinction accompanies the
branches of the services entered into the
contest with great spirit. The army, navy
and Marine Corps collected their most
expert marksmen from all quarters and
spent months in selecting and training
the teams which finally represented them
The National Guard teams feel that
they are at disadvantage under the
stricted both as to time and ammunition.
while the regular service teams are not
And further, the cavalry and infantry
teams which represent the army are
chosen from fifty or sixty men who are
regularly instructed in Workmanship
and whose pay is increased in proportion
to their skill with the rife.
A., 9th l., n,,I ,n1, t0n