Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-15
Army Officers Invited.

Commissioner Johnston has never seen
anything better-he said so himself-an>
he has seen a lot of fine men done into
cavalrymen, his own branch of the ser2-
ice when he was a general in the army.
He was so certain that the bicycle squad
or the half of II that submitted itself
to his scrutiny-would be up to the min
ute in every particular that he invited
Brig. Gen. Rodgers. retired. and Brig
Gen. Hall to look on and approve.
Commissioner Rudolph was also at
hand to view with pride. Col Burton
Ross, formerly of the District of Column
ba militia; s. H. Vandergrift and sew
eral army officers shared in the tieat.
Like lot of marionettes, the police OF
the bicycle squad lined up on command
Then they were looked over, and Gen
Johnston was as rigid in his eXactions
as though every man of them was en-
listed TO carry a saber into battle or &C
into military seclusion on some isolated
army post.
Precision in the Drill.
Then they went through maneuvers
"a wonderful drill, executed with
marvellous precision. The evolutions
were difficult. not surpassed by the
elaborate work of a fancy drill team
working for prize money. Mount and
dismount, single and double circles.
two abreast and by tours, by company
front and in various other intricacies
of drill the men showed off perfectly
and with eminent satisfaction to them
selves, the inspection party and to
Maj. Sysvester.
Maj. Sylvester was at hand to take
pride in the event. Then, beside, he is
author OF the drill manual which the
squad undertook to execute. Sergt.
Bode, in command, assisted by Sergt.
Walter Emerson, put the men through
their stunts.
Wind-Up of Inspection.
Today's doings closed the annual in
spection and drill of the police depart
ment. The inspection was held at IL
o'clock on the plaza in front Of the Ar
lington Hotel. Commissioner Johnston
congratulated Sergt. Bode on the excel
lent appearance and showing Of his men.
The fourth. fifth. eleventh. ninth and
tenth precincts and the mounted squad
were inspected yesterday. At the fourth
precinct. which was the first to undergo
the inspection at 1 o'clock, theh men and
their equipment made a good showing.
Charley" the horse which draws the
patrol wagon. outdid himself to make a
good impression. Aside from shaking
hands" with members of the inspection
board he attempted to get his nose into
their pockets In an EFFORT to nnd COW
eted piece of sugar.
There is not a finer lot of bicycle men
in the United States than those in Wash
ington." was the commentator given by
Commissioner Johnston. Il have been
in nearly every place in the country, and
have seen no better, and few as good.
Always Neat and Clean.
Every one of them is neat and clean in
appearance, and you will not find a speck
Of dust anywhere. They are always like
that-not alone when on parade. Every
man is clean-shaven and his hair cut.
They stand like trained soldiers. They
are hard to beat"
Similar. praise was extended by Com
missioner Johnston to the mounted po-
lice. He says they get the secondhand
equipments of the regular army, sent to
the shop for repair. and make it over
themselves into better than new.
When you see them on duty he de-
clared, "every buckle is shining and every
part is perfect. They look like soldiers
on their posts, although perhaps they
cannot drill together SO well as enlisted
cavalrymen, as they have so few Oppor-
tunities for joint maneuvers."