Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-16
NATIONAL
GUARD.
r.x<T<r.rrrrrFT sTT

to prevent loss of property. A
stringent order has just been is
sued informing those responsible for gov
eminent property that they will be COM
pelled to pay for the replacement of stores
for which they can give no satisfactory
account when called on to do SO by
special board to be detailed to check up
the property at intervals. The charge not
only will include the cost of the property,
but also the cost of packing and trans
portation.
The board will consist Of three officers
other than property officers 1t Will De the
duty of the members to call upon proper
ty officers at irregular and unexpected
periods to verify supplies and stores for
which the property officers are responsible.
Should shortage be found reasonable
time will be allowed for explanation or
for submission of a report. Should the
responsible officer be found negligent in
his duties. or If the War Department
charges the allotment to the guard on
account of lack of reasonable care, the
value of the property will be charged to
the officer.
The hope is expressed that the order
will result in betterment Of existing con-
dtions as regards the care OF property,
and it warns the officers that they only
are to blame if the experience proves
costly. Warning is given to accept re-
sponsibility only after getting possession
Of property, and in turn seeing that re-
sponsibility is diverted to others wnen II
leaves their possession either temporarily
or finally.
Property officers are also protected by
the order. 1t provides that payment for
camp service shall be withheld until
verificat:on of stores has been MADE at
time when losses most frequently oc-
cur. 1t again warns the officers against
giving discharge certificates until prop
erty issued to them has either been &C
counted for or its value paid.
The order was occasioned by a partial
report of the army officer who made the
recent annual inspection, and the fire.
quent requests for the appointment OF sur
vey officers to fix responsibility for gov
eminent property lost under circumstances
denoting lack of reasonable care for It's
safety. The order states that these con-
dtions handicap the guard by impairing
its usefulness through curtai!ment OF pro-
posed expenditures.
5 The order, while admitting armory IA
cilities could be materially improved, at
the same time points out the indifference
of some officers as to taking care OF prop
erty, and then states that few officers
seem able to find entire security, with
the means afforded. for protection against
loss OF property by theft. carelessness or
righteousness. These officers, when for
any reason relieved, experience the pleas
ure of obtaining clear receipt The cases
are cited to show that the property may
be properly protected if due diligence is
exercised.
An endeavor is to be made to have
those militiamen who do not re-enlist
when their terms expire keep in close
xv,txI Al ~AI IN
be ready in any emergency. 1t Is pro-
posed to do this by the formation OF a
reserve corps fashioned after that which
has been proposed for the regular army.
The District militia law includes pro-
vision for the formation of such re-
serve corps. it Is explained. but no steps
had ever. been taken to make the pro-
vision operative
However. this matter win receive much
consideration by board which has just
been appointed to consider the subject.
This board consists of Col. Charles HI.
Ourand, 1st Infantry: Col. William e.
Harvey, I'd Infantry; Col r. d. Simms,
retired; Lieut.. Col. A. L. Parmerter. adj
jutant general, and Maj. William 8.
Hodges, judge advocate.
The board intends to delye deeply In
the reserve corps question, and after
it has all the information it desires at
hand 1t will. by the provisions of an
order just issued. formulate the regula-
tions for the government Of the same.
The order makes a request of all the
officers of the District National Guard
who are interested in the subject to sub
NIT, in writing, suggestions and recon-
board. No time is set for the meeting
of the board. that matter being left to
the senior officer.
The jackies of the naval battalion have
a. new commander. Former Lieutenant
Commander Joseph a Demph accepted
the commission as commander of the bat
talon and subscribed to the oath of
Office last Monday.
When the local citizen soldiery next ap-
pear on parade they probably will step to
march which they may call all their
own. Mrs. Inez Seymour Milton of this
city has just composed military march
which she has dedicated to the National
Guard of the District of Columbia
Mrs. Milton sent copies of her march to
Capt. F.. F. Davis. adjutant Of the ID In
fantry, n. G. .. c., and to Capt. Harry
Coope, adjutant of the LIST Infantry. In
charge of the bands of the two organiza-
tons, respectively.
Capt. Davis has written Mrs. Milton
giving her the assurance that II he is
furnished with Demonstrations 1.-THE march
will be played at the next public appear
ance of the band Of his regiment, and
also at such concerts as 1t may give at
the summer encampment of the guard.
X * X
A select number Of members Of the
National Guard of the District of Column
| bia are now proudly wearing the rifle
practice prizes and decorations formally
presented last Monday night by Brig.
Gen Albert l. Mills chief Of the division
of militia affairs. War Department Gen.
Mills complimented the guardsmen on
their experiences in craftsmanship.
u Il II
The local guardsmen had an oppor-
tunity last Friday evening to give vent
to their athletic tendencies at the four
teenth annual indoor games of the Ma
tional Guard Athletic Association. There
were twenty-five events and the guards
men who participated made q good show
ing The last event. but probably the
most spectacular, was the wall-scaling
contest 1t was won by Company NJ, I'd
Infantry
The 1st Battery, Field Artillery, has
an extra assembly night added to its
list 1t is given over wholly to the study
of gunnery. This gunners' school, con-
Quoted Wednesday evening, affords the
students a fine chance to learn the work
ings of the field pieces and the art of
firing accurately.