Evening star., 1928-11-04


controller general of the United States
that members of the rife team OF
the National Guard Of the District Of
Columbia who are employees of the
Federal Government are not entitled
to military leave while attending rife
matches outside of the District of CO.
lumbia is being studied by officers Of
the organization. While 1t has not
been indicated directly what will be
done to save the civil employment pay
which has been checked as a result Of
the controllers decision, there is a
probability that the matter will be
brought to the attention OF Congress
again this year.
Officers of the Guard thought that
they had the members Of the Guard
protected when law was passed au-
thorizing their transportation expenses
to and from Washington for the pur-
pose of participating in the matches.
but the controller held that, while 1t
covered that, it did not automatically
provide that they should receive pay
while at the matches. Offcers Of the
Guard contend that this service is a
part of the training of officers, and
Federal pay while away on this duty
was intended to encourage them In
their military work. .
out that other employees of the Gov
eminent who take interest in rife
shooting and who attend the national
matches do not receive military leave,
but must take their annual leave in
order to participate. But the officers OF
the Guard contend that his cannot be
looked upon as a discrimination. because
of the fact that the military man gives
his time in training, apparently forget
ting that the civilian also spends his
own time on the nearby ranges in order
to perfect his Workmanship.
The particular decision has first hit
Capt. j. c. Jensen, Ordnance Depart
ment, in charge of the rife practice
In the local Guard, trainer and cap
tain of the rifle team which represent
ed the local organization at the national
matches. Although the decision was
answered for the Secretary of the Navy.
as Jensen is an employe of the local
navy yard, 1t applies equally to all Fed
eral employees, but it Il understood that
so far none of the other members OF
the team who are Government employees
have had their pay checked.
Before the Guardsmen can collect
their civilian pay under the con-
troller's decision. it is very apparent
that there will have to be change
in the law, and it is probable that steps
will be made to get it corrected at
the coming session of Congress. Other
wise. there is a fear that the organi-
zation might find it hard to get its best
shots to remain on the team, If they
do not get their civilian leave with pay.
In order not to keep the men away
from participation in the election night
celebrations expected downtown, orders
have been issued that drills for all or
ganiZations scheduled for Tuesday night
are suspended, 1t was announced at
brigade headquarters.
The indoor small-caliber target range
which has been constructed under the
armory building for several years has
been materially improved. The earthen
works there, which had much the ap-
pearance of field trenches, have been
covered with concrete and cement floors
have been laid, so that the men will be
able to carry on their rifle practice
with more comfort.
Second Lieut.. Henry C. Espey, Com
pany E, 121st Engineers. and one OF
the crack rife shots of the Guard. has
rendered his resignation as an oficer.
Pending the acceptance of the resigna-
ton by the President of the United
States Lieut.. Espey has been ordered
transferred to the unassigned list. He
is a lawyer by profession and the rea-
son given at brigade headquarters for
his resignation was pressure of his pri-
vate business affairs.
The Militia Bureau of the War De-
partment has called to the attention Of
local and other Guard organizations
the desirability of officers and men
taking the Army correspondence courses
for 1928-1929. With reference to en-
rollment in these courses, it was pointed
out, 1t should be noted that upon
presentation of satisfactory evidence of
proficiency in the subject matter of any
subcourse the corps area commander is
authorized to enroll student in the
next higher subcourse up to and in
Guiding the advanced course. This pro-
vision enables qualified National Guard
personnel to pursue the phase Of train
ing desired without prior actual COM
pletion' of all other correspondence
courses listed In advance of them. In
the absence of other records to the con-
trary corps area commanders have
been instructed to accept the recon-
mendations of the Regular Army in
structors as to the proper courses or
subcourSes to be pursued by National
Guard personnel under their super
vision.
The Militia Bureau has made ar
rangements to furnish, through corps
area commanders, all texts in addition
to lesson sheets as previously provided
for use by students in the Army corre-
spondence courses enrolled from among
personnel in the National Guard.
Enlisted men, upon recommendation
of organization commanders, may be
enrolled in appropriate courses under
the same conditions as to furnishing
texts and materials as commissioned
officers.
Corps area commanders are request
ed to make special effort through in
structors and otherwise to impress the
National Guard commissioned person.
mel under their supervision with the
advantages to be gained from pursuing
correspondence courses in addition to
the regular performance of their Ma
tional Guard duties. this especially as