Evening star., 1912-11-03

soldering gone the National
AAx Guard of the District of Co
w lumbia is considerably farther
advanced toward its next an
nual encampment than it was one year
ago. The reason for this is the remark
ably fine progress made in the past year.
the practical work done in camp, the
businesslike methods adopted in the
handling OF property and the evident de-
termination of men and officers to bring
themselves to the acknowledgements
sta 1dard and stick there.
Just what the effect of reduced instruc-
ton will be is hard to predict. Without
an fnspector-instructor and with a re-
duction in the ranks of instructor SER
geants there will surely be slump in the
brigade if the vacancies are allowed to
exist long enough. OF course, the COM
panies under their own officers will be
able TO advance under their own momen-
tum up to a certain point. After that
point is reached instructors from the
army become a necessity.
Col. Ourand is congratulating his regi-
ment, the 1st Infantry, n. G.. D. c., on
the work done so far this year in letter
addressed to the entire organization,
reading as follows:
The regiment is to be complimented
upon the splendid record made at Camp
Ordway in August. The attendance was
the largest that the command has ever
had in a camp OF instruction, being 81
per cent of the enrolled strength. There
were 81 officers and 531 enlisted men pres
ent. The discipline and attention to sani-
tary regulations have never been ex-
celled in the history Of the guard.
he nf 10 81 ipSt
tion was remarkable and the progress
made by the many recruits was most fa-
vorabiy commented upon by the army in
spector-instructors. 1t was apparent,
though. TO officers and men that regular
attendance at drill in close order move
ments during the winter in the armory
would have made the work in camp much
easier and would have enabled the COM
mand to have devoted more time to the
more advanced field work.
1t Is urged upon every officer, non-
commissioned officer and private in the
command TO be present at every drill
possible during the present drill season
SO that every one will be thoroughly IA
miliar with every part OF the drill regu-
ations that is possible 10 be learned in
the armory. II Is thorough work and
prompt and implicit obedience TO orders
tiiat will produce the necessary team
work required to maintain the high stand
ng achieved in camp and TO make the
command an efficient field force ready for
any emergency.
The fine record for the regiment i'm the
Seagirt matches was largely due TO the
excellent work Of Company X Individual
members of other companies aided in
making the reputation for the year and
are to be commended for their devotion
10 duty and for their sacrifice OF time
and energy. 1t is urged upon every COM
pauE 10 take steps 10 become shoot
tnS company, as the ability to hit the
mark IS the most valuable quality of
good soldier.
Recruiting will be resumed at once
50 tnat the new members may receive
the requisite instruction TO enable them
to take their places in the ranks as
socn as possible. Every effort must be
made in each company TO recruit to
the minimum strength with men who
eliminate those members who are a
dGtriment to the command by their
tnattention to duty.
As aid in recruiting, members
should familiarize themselves with the
new circular relating to athletics in
the guard so that the advantages to
b. gained by enlisting now in time to
JON the various classes in the gymna-
SUM may be clearly shown. Members
also are urged to take more active
part in this branch of instruction.
Let every man in the regiment re-
solve to do everything in his power
In the history OF our regiment in every
department of our activities"
X
Once more has President Taft shown
that he is strongly in favor of the Ma
tional Guard and that he believes the
militia pay bill should be passed. The Presi-
dent has stood by the organized militia
all through his administration, has fought
Tor II in more ways than -one. He has
made it easy. in the District of Columbia,
for government employees TO join a COM
pany: and his outspoken words in the
srrnory of the LIST Battery, Field Artillery
y. q. ID. C.. left him in no uncertain po-
sition regarding his views on the citizen
soldiery. In other words, President Taft
c0mmander-in-chief OF the army and