Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11

d Field Artillery. was held at the
Missouri Avenue armory Friday
night. Those examined were Lieut..
Shannon. Lieut.. Vogt. Sergt. Bonnet and
Sergt. Shilling. The problems present
ed to the candidates dealt with maneu-
vers of the battery dismounted, and as
a test of the candidates the evolutions
were to some extent not those performed
by the battery in the usual course of
drill. Practical examination was also
given candidates in the firing battery,
complex problems having been prepared
calling for tho determination Of firing
data for converging and distributed fire
+ +
The following order has been issued
from headquarters, Department Of the
East. U. 8. A.:
I'm compliance with instructions from
the War Department, dated December 6.
1910, Sergt. Thomas J. Berney, Com
pany ID. LIST Infantry. now on duty with
the organized militia, District Of Column
bia, Washington, D. c.. will proceed at
the proper time to Washington barracks,
District Of Columbia, reporting upon ar
rival to the commanding officer for ex-
animation February !. 1911, for the posi-
ton Of post commissary sergeant"
Officers and men of the LIST Infan-
try have started in with determination
to boom things in that organization
competitive affairs. Believing that the
best way to keep pride in the work Of
the whole up to the proper point Is to
look after the unit, system whereby
the first competition begins in the COM
pany and gradually works up and en-
hr2NoQ tia anfirQ rA0in1pnf has hppn IN
augurated In q series Of competitive
drills In the manual Of arms. From
present Indications the efforts Of the Of
flcers and enlisted men will be crowned
with success. Already one battalion is
working tooth and nail to discover the
crack company or the company with
the best drill man. It Is not considered a
long step from this point to q competition
between companies or battalions of the
entire regiment.
So far, Mat. George L. TAFT, command
ing the Sd Battalion. LIST Infantry. and
his company commanders and Officers
have taken the lead in the movement to
better the spirit Of their organization.
was competitive drill in the manual OF
arms by the six best men from each of
the four companies. The drill was held
week before last and disclosed keen and
pany and battalion First honors went
to Everett e. Beall. senior sergeant Of
X Company. BeaM had the fight of his
life to wrest the honor from Private
MORT of L Company. The latter company
had worked hard for the first honors and
showed the result Of previous prepare
ton.
Encouraged by the success of the first
competitive drill. Maj. TAFT called meet
ing Of the company commanders after
drill Friday night. IT was decided to con-
tinue the work and to hold two more
competitive drills. one each in January
and February. and to hold final cham
pionship drill in March. In the last
second or third will be eligible to COM
pete.
In the drills to be held in January and
February cash prizes will be awarded to
winners and those finishing second and
third. Maj. Joseph +. H0dgson, I'd Bat
talon, LIST Infantry, and Capt. Eugene
C. Edwards, LIST Infantry, will be asked
to serve as judges.
With two moro drills to look forward
to and the final championship affair set
tied upon, the regular drill nights should
be the scenes Of hard work on the part
Of every man TO put himself in the run
Ming and the effect of such work should
be shown in increased efficiency of the
companies.
II the picked men competitions con-
tinue to be q success there is no doubt
but a senes Of competitive drills. in
would participate, will be the next step.
and these affairs. if the men wish to
work to bring their company the distinc-
ton of "crack,'' will prove a pleasant
labor.