Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-02


now on will be made for the annual in
spections some time during the first part
OF 1914 They were held in January Of
this year, but It developed at that time
that there was feeling among the Off
GERS that these inspections should be held
later along in the season.
These inspections, 1t was pointed out
at brigade headquarters, in The Star
building. yesterday, are not held for the
express purpose of picking flaws in the
guard. but are made with a view to de-
termining how each organization is fit
ted out and prepared to take the field in
case it is called upon in the event of a
national or International unpleasantness.
They are also made for the purpose Of
finding out just where the National Guard
of the District needs strengthening and
to see where 1t can be improved.
What would help the National Guard of
the District of Columbia to build itself
up to high standard more than any
thing else is an armory, according to
Lieut. Col a. L. Parmerter, adjutant
general. District of Columbia militia. AS
long as the National Guard issforced to
house itself in its present rented quar-
ters, scattered in various parts Of the
city, it VIII not be able to improve itself
Would like
There are no clubbing facilities for the
men and, of course, they direct their en-
ergies to places where they can find rec
reation. well built armory would pro-
vide place where the higher-class young
men of the city could spend their time
and enjoy themselves as well prepare
themselves to be able to come to the aid
of the country in time of war. Only those
familiar with organizing such bodies, 1t
H., III
of armory facilities is holding back the
National Guard II it's efforts to improve
itself and build up it's strength.
1t is realized that in an organization
such us a militia the social side must be
brought in to some extent. The men
have no suitable place where they can
give dances and other social functions
to which they could invite their parents.
relatives and friends.
:. x X K
Every drill night sees a large increase
in the attendance of Company x, I'd
Regiment. Last Wednesday night four
full squads turned cut, and proSpe< is are
excellent for a further increase tire COM
ing Wednesday. The drill last week was
in platoon formations and the men exc
cuted the commands in quick order
Things Hvened up also when the monthly
competitive drill in the manual of arms
was held The competition was close
one and the judges had no little difficulty
in eliminating the men for various faults.
Finally /. narrowed down to six NELL
Corps Roberts and Lowell and Privates
varney Spengler. Cornor and Myers.
Then more el.minationS came, until Prl-
vate Spenger refna ned a.one on the floor.
He received the gold medal. which was
turned over to him by Private Connor.
who held the medal from the last drill.
Sr *
Every effort is to be made by Capt O.
c. Terry, commanding the Signal Corps
Company of the National Guard of the
District of Columbia, to recruit his pres
ent force UP to ninety-eight men and de-
velop what is termed a type A com
pany. This will give the command one
more lieutenant than it has at present.
Capt Terry is planning number of
steps by which he hopes to persuade
h;gh-cass young men of the city to Join
his command. The advantages of joining
the Signal Corps are numerous Not only
are the methods of sending messages
both by wire and wireless taught. but
the methods of constructing such appara-
tus and setting it up under all kinds of
conditions are taught to the members by
competent officers
II Capt. Terry's plans materialize the
local Signal Corps Company will have its
type A force by the first of the new year.
All of his men have been enlisted in the
help there is little doubt that the Signal
Corps commander will have enough men
by the first of the year.
x x = ).
With the idea of letting the efficient
men get all the training they can without
be ng he lack by few who do not
grasp the military details SO gu ckly,
Maj. George L. TAFT, commanding the Sd
Batta ion, 1st Infantry. has fnaugurated
a new scheme of drill for his command
Friday nights. The whole battalion is
divided into three classes, accord ng to
the proficiency at drill. In this man
ner each of the three classes gets just
the instruction it needs. Under the new
order of things no man is held back by
being forced to drill alongside of So
called green man "
Under this am. it is reported, the
members of this battalion are taking
more interest in the drills. Capt. Alv
D. Hathaway, commanding Company |,
and senior captain of the battalion. COM
mands class a men the class which re-
ce yes the advanced instruction. The Ell
tire battalion last Friday night was
drilled by Lieut.. Lionel LIE Grand john
ston of Company NJ.
Plans are now under way for organlZ-
ing q basket ball team to represent this
battalion. Capt. Praetorius MS the orgnl-
battalion. Capt. Praetorius has the or
sanizat on in charge.