Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-29

meeting of staff officers of
the National Guard of the
District of Columbia is being followed
in shaping such few plans for the sum-
mer encampment as can be prepared at
this early date.
Two things are assured-the five-day
period of drill for officers only, ana as
sociation with only United States troops
at the encampment.
Both of these points in the general plan
are expected to meet with instant favor
from all quarters where the best IN
terests of the organization are consider
ed While the plan to give over nVe DAYS
Of the encampment exclusively to COM
missioned and non-commissioned officers
may not find favor with the other en-
listed men, the officers feel that the eX-
ira work required of them will be time
we'll spent, and will do more. perhaps,
10 increase the efficiency of the organiza-
ton than any other feature Of the sum-
mer encampment
Headquarters would, il such a course
were possible, prefer to have special
encampment for the officers, and in ad-
dition permit the other enlisted men to
have the benefit of the full fifteen days
training. This is impossible, however,
doubtful, they say. if a sufficiently large
number of the officers could spare the
time for second encampment to make
the affair a success.
x ::
If the District National Guard receives
the consideration from the War Depart
ment it hopes for, the encampment will
be so arranged that the citizen soldiers
will obtain a greater amount of bene-
fetal instruction from the regular troops
than at any previous encampment. This
is a maneuver year, so there will be no
other National Guard troops to include
in the plans. Gen. Harries hopes to
have allotted to the District guards en-
campment regular troops from every
arm of the service represented in the
guard.
This plan. if carried out, would put the
officers and men in such close association
with the regular troops that they would
benefit by example in minor matters that
StructiOn. 1t is hoped to have battalion
Of United States infantry camped along
side of the two District regiments. The
War Department will be asked for three
batteries of field artillery with which the
Districts field artillery company will be
consolidated to form a complete battalion.
A company from the United States Signal
Corps will be requested, and, II obtained,
will be camped alongside of the District
signal company. and like plan will be
followed in the case of the Hospital
Corps. The camp will be laid out in
such manner that the militia and regu-
lar troops cannot escape close asso-
citation, by which the former organization
is certain to profit UNNECESSARILY.
While a definite date for the encamp-
ment has not been set as yet, it is gen
orally understood that it will take place
some time in August.
The question of q suitable site is one
which is expected to prove no less az
gravating than it has in previous years.
Already feelers have gone out to owners
of suitable properties. and, as hitherto. 1t
is learned that property sustains a MI
raculouS raise in value as soon as the
District casts favorable eyes on it, Those
who are paying special attention to the
site question are determined to obtain the
use Of property nearer Washington than
previous encampments have been. as
decided saving in the cost of transporta-
ton is essential.
That the War Department has begun
to look unfavorably upon summer en-
campments whereat state troops from a
number of different commonwealth are
gathered at one time is evidenced by a
recent reply by the division Of militia af-
fairs to a request from a western state.
The request was for authority for the
participation in joint camp of maneu-
vers of four different states. The reply
stated, in effect, that such an encamp-
ment would result in too great confusion
to be of material benefit to any one or
ganization, and that the department could
not authorize the expenditure Of national
funds for such an affair.
k
The monthly meeting at the head
quarters Of officers of the guard is be-
coming popular as a social function and
as clearing house for ideas connected
with the administration of the Organiza-
ton. Staff officers Of the guard are re-
quired to attend the meetings. which are
held the first Monday in every month
during the winter season, and which Gen.
Harries makes 1t a point to attend. The
popularity Of the meetings and their bene-
fits have been demonstrated by the re-
Gently advanced policy for the summer
encampment and noticeable improve
ment In the esprit de corps throughout
the organization.
The drill attendance Of the battery Fri
day was trifle over sixty per cent. sixty
two officers and men being present. This
is the best drill attendance since the
Gettysburg campaign. One horse was
used in mounted instruction, men har-
Messing and embarrassing by turn. mount
ing and diSmounting and standing to
horse. Squads were instructed in regu-
lating collars and in cinching. Standing
gun drill was mainly given over to the
individual instruction of men in the du-
ties of the cannoneer and in the setting
Of the quadrant, clinometer scale and
panoramic sight.
1t was determined by the battery to
hold a volunteer night" Wednesday for
the purpose of doing some necessary
work on the artillery material. The bat
terry was in line when volunteers were
called for and every man stepped one
pace to the front. The men are to come
to the armory in their working clothes
and report to Chief Mechanic Davis. Hot
coffee and "hot dog sandwiches will be
served, Cooks PierSon and fudge having
volunteered for duty.
After drill the men of the battery met
to discuss the ball they will give at the
armory the evening of February %.
Ellworth Moorhead presided. Treasurer
Friel reported that the battery had re-
sponded to the call for funds and that
the ball would be a success. Casper
Orange had arranged for hauling a piano
and had engaged the orchestra. The
decoration committee is foraS ing for the
loan Of flags and bunting The commit
tee on invitations reported that the
cards would be out this week and the re-
freshment committee said the ice cream
and sundrieS would be ready for the