The Washington herald., 1909-04-11

Police Duty by Hired LabOrerS.
General orders were issued yesterday
from militia headquarters establishing a
ramp Of instruction for the promotion of
small arms practice at the rifle range OF
the National Guard of the District at
Congress Heights. The regular season Of
rife practice will begin May 1 and last
until the end OF October During This
period every officer and enlisted man Of
the brigade. with the exception Of chap
iains and members of the Medical Corps.
viii be required TO FIRE the prescribed
scores for qualification with rife or re-
voiver. Company commanders are di-
rected 10 make special report To head
quarters in case of any members OF their
commands who failed to qualify, so the
responsibility can be determined
The annual rifle practice at Congress
Heights is in many respects the most
popular part OF the years course of in
structiOn to the National Guard OF the
District Everything possible is done by
brigade headquarters and officers detailed
in charge Of the camp TO induce the men
TO go to the rife range for voluntary as
well as ordered practice. a pleasant and
sanitary camp has been established on a
Hill above the range Tents with board
floors and cots, an excellent commissary.
plenty of fresh running water, and show
er baths nave been provided for the COM
fort and conveniepce OF the men All the
duties of camp police and other routine
work viii be performed by a force OF
20
their time exclusively to rifle and revol-
yer practice.
Ammunition in Plenty.
Although the men are cautioned against
q wasteful expenditure OF ammunition,
there is plenty Of it on hand and under
guidance OF experienced range officers.
who are enthusiastic in their work every
member Of the brigade viii be given an
opportunity 70 become at least a fair
shot Attention viii be given 90 indi-
vidusl instruction. especially 20 the poor
CT shots. as the policy Of the instructors
Is 10 raise the average efficiency Of the
Guard rather than 20 train the best
shots
Before being permitted to fire on the
range every soldier will receive prelimi-
nary instruction AZ the arHOry in sight
ing. and In the rifle gallery IN aiming
and position drills To reduce 10 the
minimum chances of accidents al the
range. no ammunition will be issued ex-
sept on the firing line, and each cart
ridge viii be handed 10 the soldier just
as he is 10 insert il in his rifle. II IL is
not used. II viii be returned at once 90
the scorer OF officer who issued II The
men will be cautioned never TO turn the
n.uzzle of their rifles away from the
target while they arc loaded.
Two Days Each at Range.
Every company and separate organiza-
lion in the brigade viii spend two days
and nights at the range. Two companies
viii go at "a time. The men viii assemble
at the armory az o'clock on the even
ing previous 10 the days assigned Il
their command. in heavy marching order
Blue or khaki uniforms viii be worn, ac-
cording TO the weather. The companies
viii go by street railway 10 Congress
Heights. and march from there 10 the
range. II the men arrive at the range be
fore 1880 .. m. they VIII be served with
q light supper. Taps VIII be sounded al
l0-30 and at 5.30 the next morning first
call for reveille win be sounded. Break
fast viii be served at o'clock, and one
hour later the men viii commence firing
on the range. After an hour and a
quarter intermission at noon, the targets
viii be opened again AT ! o'clock and
remain Up until dusk
The camp will be established and main
tanned by the brigade quartermaster. He
will hire all necessary labor 10 maintain
the camp. including a cook and assistant
cook. There viii be an officers and en-
listed mems mess established each in 9
large tent, screened or from flies anC
other insects. The brigade surgeon vii
erect a camp hospital. which viii be pro
vided with all medical supplies. and tC
which a surgeon viii be detailed.
To Encourage Attendance.
officers and enlisted men who cannot be
present on the days assigned to theh
commands viii be instructed to make ar.
rangements to attend with some Other
company or battalion. Efforts viii be
made on the part Of all officers Of the
brigade 10 keep the number Of fourth
class" men. as those who do not fire the
scores are called. as low as possible.
Majors Of battalions viii be present and
IN command OF the camp during the
tours Of their companies on the range
They will be assisted BY the battalion
stan and nOncommissioned staff or
ganization commanders viii he held re-
men during the tour Of duty.
The National Guard qualification IN
small arms practice wiz be made under
the requirements Of Special Course c.
for which the insignia awarded viii here
after be Of bronze. Guardsmen OF knowr
skill may upon request, approved by the
brigade inspector Of small arms. he per-
mitted 20 fire for the record Of the army
course, for which the insignia earned
viii be Of silver. The trigger Of every
rifle viii be tested before firing TO see
that II has the required pull Of not less
than three pounds.
Trophies for Highest Figures.
Trophies. 10 be held for one year, vii
be awarded TO the regiment battalion
and company attaining the highest figur,
OF merit for the seasons practice. Tw,
gold medals, known as the Brigade an,
Roginsh medals. which are 10 be hel,
for one year. viii be awarded to IN,
officer and enlisted man who makes IN,
highest score in regular order prac
tice. For this record. scores of 200 800
and 800 yards viii be considered and mus
be fred on the same day
Service at the rife range VIII be with
out pay. but government employees. o.
whom there are a large number in ia.
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