Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-12

called upon to perform military duty by
competent authority.
The department believes that the
National Guard should be encouraged in
every way and that it is feasible for
postmasters to arrange the duties Of en-
ployes so that leaves of absence to per-
form military duty may be granted with
out detriment to the service
Respectfully,
&C p GRANDFIELD.
First Asst Postmaster General.
There is no schedule of charges for the
hiring of horses for officers who are
required to be mounted. The rate of hire
is dependent on local conditions, but the
animals should be hired at the lowest OBJ
tainable rate.
The hiring of animals may be effected
by any of the following methods: Con-
tract, proposals received in response to
advertisements, written acceptance and
in the open market The disbursing Off
GER must not neglect to solicit competition
whenever possible. The cost Of the hir-
ing of horses and draft animals in the
open market is limited by law to $500.
4
The new Marine Corps rife range near
Washington is now in operation and will
be used this year for qualifications and
the training Of the team to represent the
Marine Corps in the National Rifle
Matches at Camp Perry. 1t is located
on stretch of land lying about four
miles down the Potomac from Indian
Head, where the proving grounds for big
guns belonging to the navy are located.
1t comprises about ], 100 acres, running
east and west, with a width varying
from three hundred yards to about one
mile. Last year it was turned over to
the Marine Corps for rifle range and
they have accomplished much in fitting
op loci ne TNrfo
ton almost all the work has been done
by the Marine Corps officers and men.
and during the winter they occupied
tents fortified with log bases, or roughly
constructed cabins. With the opening of
spring the work was pushed, until now
the range is open for business, and in
another year will be model for range
of the size.
The line of fire is in the same direc-
ton as the longer axis of the tract-from
ing.is located just outside the firing line
for 1000 and 1000 yards, so that from
his Office the commandant can survey
the entire range.
1t was a gigantic task with the limited
appropriation and force available to
clear the heavy timber from the land
and level it, but this has been accom-
plished and the range has been sown in
grass and oats to make a. lawn. A large
portion has been devoted to garden,
Wnlcn Will furnish fresh vegetables lOl
the several messes.
The mess hall now accommodates 12J
men at a sitting, but after July
magazine will be built with quarters
and mess hall to accommodate 900
men at a sitting. The post is equipped
with an artesian well, which gives an
ample water supply of excellent quality,
sewers ave being constructed and the
range is being thoroughly drained.
There is ample ground for the encamp-
ment of several thousand troops, and be-
cause of it's accessibility to Washington
it is not improbable that some day the
national rifle matches will be shot
there. In the meantime matches will be
arranged between the Marine Corps, Dis
trct of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia
and possibly other states nearby. 1t
is also proposed that the range shall be
used by the citizens of the District of
Columbia interested in rifle practice and
for the outdoor matches of the High
School Cadets.
Capt Harllee will again be captain
Of the Marine Corps team, and Gunnery
Sergt Baptist will act as coach. The
marines from New York. Washington,
Philadelphia and Norfolk will make their
qualifications on the new range. and the
team for national matches will do it's
preliminary practice there.