Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05

While other units of the Natlona
Guard of the District OF Columbia nave
been boasting publicly of men in theil
commands who had attended hunurec
or so consecutive drills, Company A
1919 Engineers, has been sitting back
with the champion of them all and say
ing nothing about it; just taxing II al
a matter of military routine.
Sergt. Butler of this company, 1t was
said. has completed five years in the or
ganization and hasn't missed drill IN
that time Capt Evans, commanding
this unit, vouches for this record, and
so far as the old timers remember, II
has never been reached before.
Another service paper has made its
appearance in the local Guard. 1t Is
the Ditch Digger. published as the Off
cial organ of Company A, 12lst Engi-
neers. 1t is described as owned and
operated by IS live men of Company
A. with the following staff: Editor,
Gil Wild: associate editor, Milton A.
Smith: presSmen, PylSs and Smith, and
reporters and correspondents, all mem
bers of Company A"
Sergt. Smith, the associate editor.
lays claim to distinction as the son OF
Sergt. Milton D. Smith. we'll known
member of the Metropolitan Police De-
partment and president of the Police
mems Association.
In order to increase the number OF
petty officers in Company A, efforts are
being made to increase the strength
of the command. 1t was announced
that this unit needs only eight more
men in order to permit it to have one
more staff sergeant and one more cor
poral.
Company A. 121st Engineers, like sew
erai other organizations in the Guard.
has formed a social club, composed of
the enlisted men of the command for
the purpose of providing recreation and
entertainment outside of the dull
monotony of the drill routine under
uninviting armory conditions. The fol-
lowing have been elected officers: Presi-
dent. McGaffin; vice president Earl;
secretary. Butler; treasurer. MarloN,
and sergeant at arms, Lehman and
Jones.
Several men of Company A, 121st
Engineers, have appeared before sum-
mary courts for failure to attend drill,
but instead Of compelling them to pay
the fines handed out, Sc apiece. they
have been given suspended sentences,
which viii be held over their heads until
the next unexcuSed absence. when the
price will be due and payable. Other
wise, the United States marshal for the
District of Columbia, who, under the
law, is the collection agent, will be
asked to carry out the sentence, which
has an alternative of certain number
Of days in the District workhouse.
Another general court-martial in the
local Guard was organized last Tues
day night, with Maj. Walter w. Burns,
commanding the 260th Battalion of
Coast Artillery, as president, for the
trial of such cases as are presented to
it for trial This Is the second general
court which has been organized within
the past several months. The first one,
after organization, never had any cases
referred to it, but has never been dis
solved, according to headquarters.
The brigade headquarters, for some
unexplained reason, attempted to con-
ceal the appointment of this court and
refused information as to its member
ship or its impending business. But
it was learned that it has in its per-
sonnet several second lieutenantS Of
the command, which indicates that it
probably will try enlisted men. 1t was
said at the brigade headquarters that
it has been decided not to give any
publicity to the matter at this time,
and the military order appointing 1t
has been withheld.
It was learned, however, that one Of
the impending cases involves an en-
listed man of one Of the headquarters
units Of the goth National Guard d.
vision, who Is up on charges Of being
drunk and dtSorderly and DESTROYING
public property. It IS understood that
he destroyed certain military records
OF his command
The first court was organized for the
purpose OF trying q man placed under
arrest in Pennsylvania during the last
encampment, and who was turned over
to the military authorities upon a
promise to try him. He was not tried,
but was later discharged without being
given an opportunity to appear and
clear himself of the charge, despite
the fact that it was said Investigation
indicated he was not guilty. -.
The following onicers have been or
dered to appear before the examining
board at the C@st Artillery Armory,
Water and o streets southwest, as soon
as the board conveneS on the return
TO the city of Mai. Scofield, its presi-
dent, to determine their fitness for
promotion to the rank Of first lieu
tenant Of Coast Artillery: Second
Lieuts. John L. Atkins, Battery A, and
William F. Bulls, Battery B.
The Sidearms Club. composed OF
members of the 29th Division. Military
Police Company, extends q cordial invi-
tatlon TO every one, members and non
members, civilian and military, to at
tend its meetings, held every Thursday
night at O'Clock in its clubroom at
the armory.
Members of the 18th National Guard
Division staff have been extended an
invitation to attend military recep-
ton and ball to be given by the Rich
mond Light Infantry Blues Battalion
at Richmond. Va, in honor of Gov.
Harry Flood Byrd in the Virginia cap
1tal on May 10, in celebration Of the
l4Oth anniversary of the formation of
the outfit. Local members of the staff
have not yet decided whether or not
they will be able to attend.
Lieut. Col. Francis A. Pope of the
Militia Bureau visited and inspected the
rifle range Of the local Guard at Camp
Simms, Congress Heights. D. c., last
Monday, 1t was announced.
1t was reported at brigade headquar-
tiers that a large number of men are
daily using the range for their target
practice, the reports indicating that on
Monudy IHere were Az men nrlng, haII
OF whom were aSpirants for the rife
team which will represent the local
Guard at rife matches to be held dur
ing the ensuing Summer.
The estimates of appropriations
needed to carry on the work of the
Guard for the fiscal year 1881 now are
in course of preparation, it was said
at the armory. Money will be asked
for the construction of a new roof on
the armory of the 260th Battalion OF
Coast Artillery at Water and o streets
southwest. This roof is said now to be