Evening star., 1909-01-17
Results of Small Arms Practice.


Gen. Wood commanding the Department
OF the East. has issued general orders
announcing the results Of the smarl arms
practice in that department for tile year
1903. According to these orders the best
records in 1908 were made by the follow
ing organizations:
Companies-Individual figure OF merit
Troop III, 18th Cavalry. 1851: collective
figure OF merit. Company 3. 18th Infantry.
1884: general figure of merit, Troop H,
18th Cavalry. 9O7
Squadrons-Individual figure OF merit.
nth Cavalry. $685.: collective figure OF
merit. 18th Cavalry. 62.s9; general figure
of merit, nth Cavalry. 17.a5.
Observation-Disclosures figure OF merit
cath Infantry (colored), 1851: collective
figure of merit. oath Infantry, 54.24: gen.
eral figure of merit. oath Infantry. 66.43.
Posts-lndividual figure of merit, Fort
merit. Fort Porter, "a. II: general figure of
merit, Fort Ethan Allen. 71.75
For the entire department the individual
figure of merit was 1888. the collective
figure of merit. 54.95. and the general fig
ure of merit, 65 46. decided Improvement
over the figures for 1907 Comparing the
results in the year 1907 and 1905. there
was an increase in favor of 1903 of thirty
SIX In the number of expert riiemen, 200
In the number of sharpshooters. and
highest percentages in the expert rifleman
test in the case Of enlisted men was made
by Sergt Fred Nance Company 4. 24th
Infantry, S3.61. and the next highest by
Corporal Michael Bonason. Company G,
5th Infantry. S2.S1. The highest percen-
tage for officers was made by First Lieut..
John +. Clapham, 5th Infantry. 1857.
Want to See the Fleet.
By its remarkable globe-circling cruise
the Atlantic battleslip feet has won the
admiration Of the peoples of all countries,
and those who have not had an oppor-
tunity to view the powerful armada under
Rear Admiral Sperry, which Is now in the
Mediterranean sea visiting various coun-
tries, are endeavoring to have the war
ships visit their country. Invitations from
seaport cities In countries of the north
Of Europe have reached Washington ex-
tending all kinds Of courtesies to thieves
sells and men of the fleet. To these the
Navy Department has been compelled to
reply that. while it would like to accept
the kind offers of hospitality. it is i'm
possible to change the itinerary which
provides for the feet to reach Hampton
Roads on Washington'S birthday and he
reviewed by President Roosevelt. One of
the last invitations received Is that from
the Mayor of Londonderry, the northern
most port of Ireland. II came to the
State Department through the British am
bassador and was exceptionally cordial
and urgent.
Asbestos on Warships.
The Navy Department has directed that
tests be held at the New York navy yard
with samples of furniture likely to be
used on warships, of various types and
material which shall offer the greatest
resistance to fire. That is a problem
which periodically engrosses the attention
of the experts. Much dissatisfaction has
been expressed with metal furniture, al
though that in many respects meets the
requirements in an admiral BILE way. Wood,
no matter how it is treated against burn
ing, means danger from splinters when
projectile enters the cabin. The latest
type of this class of furniture which is to
be considered in practical way is made
of asbestos. The asbestos furniture has
been used on one of the Austrian cruis-
ers, where it has given much satisfaction,
according to the reports received at the
Navy Department. On the findings of the
experts will depend the extent to which
the asbestos furniture will be used on
naval ships.
Arrest of Deserters Expensive.
Special efforts are to be, made by the
War Department for the apprehension of
deserters, and to that end the quarter
master general has been asked to make
an increased allotment for use in that
direction. during the coming year. In the
last year the expense Of capturing desert
ers amounted to q little more than SIS, 900
a month, ard 1t is designed to. increase
this to $4,000 a month. The expense of
apprehension involves the cost of travel
by those who make the arrests as we'll as
of bringing the dsserters to trial In
many instances a reward Of $50 is paid
to a civil officer. such as a policeman in
a city and constable in smaller place,
for the arrest of deserters from the mill
tary establishment. This reward and
other expenses involved in apprehendtng
deserters are regarded by the military
authorities a profitable investment of
the public funds, for the reason that the
greater certainty of the apprehension of
deserterS is bound in the end to furnish
one of the most certain discouragements
of desertion.
To Determine Death Benefits.
The War Department authorities are in
much of a quandary concerning the de-
csions which must be made in paying
benefits to those designated to receive the
allotment Of six months pay in the case
of army officers and enlisted men who
die in the line of duty. 1t has been
constantly a serious question to deter
mine whether the deaths, especially of
enlisted men. may be regarded as having
occurred in line Of duty. which is one of
the conditions imposed by the legislation
authorizing the benefit. The War De-
partment has decided that in cases where
such doubt exists the question shall be
submitted to a board composed of army
officers who have access to all the facts
and are in position to ascertain the cir
cumstances attending the death. Even
under such. condition it is found that
there will be a difference of opinion The
policy Of the War Department, especially
as to enlisted men, is one of great lib
eraHty and the decisions have been to
the effect that deaths occurred in line OF
duty even when they were attributable
to accidental causes.
Change at Fort Myer.
The departure Of the headquarters and
I'd Squadron of the 18th Cavalry from
Fort Myer in March and the arrival there
of the 18th Cavalry will mark a change
in commanders at that post. Col. c. A.
+. Hatfield, who has performed Che du-
ties OF the position for the past four
years, will be succeeded by Col. Joseph
Garrard, an officer said to be equally well
suited for the place.
Home Distribution of Fleet.
Rear Admiral Sperry has forwarded to
the Navy Department report of the fleet
officer OH all the repairs re-
qured for the battleship fleet on its re-
turn to the United States. Orders are
being prepared in accordance with the
recomme ndations made. The Illinois,
and Kentucky are to go in re-
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