Evening star., 1936-11-22

trict Of Columbia successfully
~ passed the competitive exam
nation for appointment to the United
States Military Academy at West
Point, that local militia officials are
endeavoring to get more than the one
appointment which was allocated here
this year. Harry v. Ellis, a private IN
Battery C, 260th Coast Artillery,
passed with the highest marks and
was named to take the entrance ex-
animation in July.
1t was pointed out that while Ellis
has been named as the Guard candi-
date 1t does not necessarily follow
that he will enter the Academy in
July. The large number Of men
throughout the country who passed
the preliminary examinations and
were named to take the entrance tests
is larger probably than the number OF
vacancies. This number will not be
known until the graduating class Is
selected. Those who pass highest in
the entrance tests will get the vacan-
cies in the order of their marks. In
this respect, it was said, it is not like
the congressional appointments. where
an alternate is named in addition to
the principal, so that should one fail
the other, if he also passes, would
step right into the new class.
The National Guard is allowed to
maintain 100 cadetships at the Acad-
envy under the law. 1t does not have
100 in each class. When young man
who entered from the Guard grad
yates, then his vacancy is filled by
another member from the ranks.
In some prior years the local Guard
has been fortunate enough to get an
other appointment, due to the TACT
that other Guard units have been un-
able to fill their quotas.
In order to provide a medium for the
discussion of their peculiar problems
the non n-commissioned officers OF the
local Guard have formulated plans for
an organization. They have to have
a forum by which they can consult
among themselves as to field and
armory problems which will result in
beneftting the local organization, as
well as themselves.
While the entire program has been
completed, it was said that the non
CONS having the plans in charge are
proposing to have the bylaws so writ
ten that no non-com of high rank can
hold any of the offices. The sugges-
ton has been made that the officer
ships be left to o'sergeants, so that mas
ter sergeants. top sergeants, tecnnlcal
sergeants and the like could not hold
office, and could in no way dominate
the organization. 1t is understood this
proposal came from the high-ranklng
sereeants. who want the organization
to be medium for open and free dis
cussion and action on the part OF the
lower-ranking commissioned OIL
ficers.
Pvts. Joseph C. Tass. Cevil c. Cox
and Melvin D. Schecter have been
ordered transferred from the active to
the inactive list Of Company B, l2lst
Engineers. because of business inter-
ference with the performance OF mill
tary duty or temporary removal from
the city.
In the same regiment, these mer
have been ordered back on the active
list: Pvts. John j. Allen, William H
Feldbush and Charles H. Clifford, al
of the Medical Department Detach-
ment, and Pvt. John j. Curtin of the
Medical Department Detachment
260th Coast Artillery.
Most all of the medals and prizes
which we're captured by the rifle team
which represented the National Guard
of the District of Columbia at the ma
tional rifle matches at Camp Perry
Ohio, recently have been received al
local Guard headquarters. These vii
be held at headquarters, pending plans
to have a formation of the whole
Guard and the medals then presented
and the team otherwise appropriately
honored.
First Lieut.. Harold w. Leath has
been appointed summary court ofhcei
of the 1st Battalion and First Lieut.
James D. Tanner, summary court Of
ficer for the I'd Battalion.
Sergt. Robert L. Van Swaringen
Company A, 104th Quartermastel
Regiment, has been ordered trans
ferred in the same grade to the quar-
termaster section, State Department.
A school for drummers and bugler'
has been ordered formed by Lieut.. Col
Walter w. Burns, commanding th'
| 26Oth Regiment of Coast Artillery
Sergt. Bugler Henry Loveless, attached
to Battery B, has been detailed to heat
/ the school. The organization meet
on the first and third Wednesdays o
each month. Men found qualified b.
Sergt. Loveless will be assigned to
drum and bugle corps. which it i
proposed to form in the organization
which does not have band.
Special instructions have been re
ceived from the headquarters, Sd Arm,
Corps, at Baltimore. Md. for the train
ing of the men in this area during tn
current drill year.
Oficers are directed to place Spe
cial emphasis upon basic training an
upon command and staff trainin
both in the armory and in the field
with the units at existing strength
They also are to pay particular stten
ton to increased proficiency in tn
use of weapons, especially auxiliar
weapons, and the successful compile
ton of more of the prescribed qualifi
cations in target practice.
Chemical warfare is to be givel
particular attention to the end tha
individuals and units will be able Il
carry on their normal duties and exc
cute combat missions during continu
Gus period in a poisoned atmosphere
and to employ effectively non-toxi
chemical agents and smoke in al
types of modern combat.
They have been told each organiza
kzt