The Washington herald., 1916-09-25
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Best Service Column In CITY.

The national rife matches outlined
by the national board for the promo
ton of rifle practice will begin on
Friday. October 20. on the Florida
State range at Jacksonville. It is
almost certain that the prescribed
program will be followed. despite the
fact that the military authorities are
opposed TO the holding of the national
matches this year and that no teams
representing the regular army will
participate.
There will be two days preliminary
team practice, followed by the ma
tional individual pistol and team
matches, in the order named The regi-
ment of Florida State troops now in
the United States service and in camp
at the range, and about 500 marines
from the Marine Barracks, Port Royal,
S. c., probably will be assigned to
duty as scorers, markers, etc, on the
range.
Col. Samuel W. Miller. U. S. Infan-
try. will be executive off1cer of the
matches, and Capt William c. Harl-
lee, U. S. Marine Corps, will be as
sistant executive oficer. The only
branch of the United States service
that may be represented by a team
In the team match Is the Marine Corps,
which has a team in training at Wake
field, Mass. with Capt. William G.
Fay as captain. 1t may be decided
at the last moment not to send this
team. Whether or not any National
Guard teams will enter the match de-
pends upon the governors OF the
States.
Teams from military schools and COL
leges and from rife clubs now may enter
the matches. and some may be sent. I'm
der the army appropriation act Of this
year. the travelling expenses OF civilian
teams may be paid by the government
There has been some question as to the
authority of the Secretary of War to di-
rect whether or not the national matches
shall be held. The Judge advocate gen
eral OF the army some time ago rendered
an opinion to the effect that the statute
contemplates that the contest be held
annually, and that the Secretary Of War
has no authority to direct that it be held
bi-ennialy. II the matches interfere with
military training and maneuvers, how
ever. the Secretary may withhold partici-
patton by the army, and II he finds that
he cannot supervise the matches for rea-
sons Of military exigency, he may omit
the matches.
Capt. Thomas H. Brown, on duty at
the Marine Barracks at the local navy
yard. and Capt John W. wadleigh, on
duty at the Marine Barracks, Annapolis,
are 10 De oruered 70 duty IN Haiti. Or
ders have been issued for their present
places to be taken by Majs Louis NJ
iulick and John c. Beaumont, respec-
lively. First Lieuts. Robert E. Adams
and Alley D. Rorex are to be ordered to
duty in Santo Domingo. ]. D. Nevins
and Arthur H Turner. former officers
Of the Marine Corps, are to be examined
here for restoration TO the oorps, under
provision contained in the current ma
val appropriation act II found qualified
they Will go to the foot OF the LIST Of
second heutenRnts. The applications Of
these officers are the only ones so far
received for restoration under the new
law.
Senator Sheppard, OF Texas, intends to
introduce a bill in the next session Of
Congress requiring a census to be taken
showing the religious faith OF the officers
and enlisted men Of the rnfIitary-naval
establishment