Evening Star Newspaper, December 5, 1896, Page 19

Bicyele riding for pleasure is now effec- tively stopped by the cold weather. Some of the clubs have held out as long as the weather remained anyways propitious, but even they have been forced to stop riding by the thoroughly wintry weather. There is now uo prospect of any more club riding urtil next March or possibly later, depend- ing altogether on the opening of the spring season. Cycling is now pursued mainly as an aid to business, and many riders seen out on the avenue during the cold weather of the past week, facing the frosty wind, looked as if they would much rather be riding in the street cars. The bicycle police still remain on active duty, and the detail is apt to be out all the winter. The cold weather is an incentive to fast riding, and it seems rather hard, from the riders’ standpoint, to be overhauled and placed under arrest by the cycle police. Queer Wheelmen. ‘The dance of the Queer. Wheelmen Wed- nesday evening at National Rifles’ armory was a very successful affair. The popular- ity of the club was well attested by the merry host that attended. By those who ovght to know it was claimed that the crowd at the dance last Wednesday was by far the. largest ever seen in the hall. When in the zenith of its glory the George- town Cycle Club gave a dance at the same place, which brought out an extraordinarily large crowd, which has never been,equaled er surpassed until the Queers’ dance dur- ing the week. Some idea of the crowd may be obtained from the fact that at the gen- tlemen’s hat box the checks reached the 2 mark. The ladies present, if anything, | outnumbered the men, and many of them / were dressed in extremely stylish cos- tumes. The dance was without a doubt the social event of cycling circles for the sea- son, and the large number of beautiful ladies present shows clearly that the club | has a host of admirers in the ranks of the fair sex. on committee for the dance | flessrs. J. R. Muir, chairman; Larrimore, W. A. Helmus, E. H. Seum-yer, jr.; G@ W. Dodson, Louis Keller, a . Van Reuth, J. N. Mundy, Fred. } . Vogt, H. Gale Turpin, James Parker, | S. Powers, D. Maxwell, Joan Werner, | Bi r! yser, E. in and | J. W. Kaiser. The flocr committee was | ecmpozed of R. Brook Cloakey, chairman; L. O. Siack, Frank E. Ghiselli, H. 8. Gard ner, George E. Boyd, Charles H. Longs, D. P. Sigourni and J. J. Newyahr. Mr. C. Louis Petze, a popular member of the club, whose marriage occurred a few weeks ago, has returned from his honey- moon trip. League of American Wheelmen. The regula~ meeting of the League of American Wheelmen, the date of which has not yet been announced, but which will in all probability be held within the rext fortnight, will be an important met- ing. from the fact that a number of ap- pointive offices will be filled. It is the first meeting of the local division for the fiscal year of the league. The old board of offi- | cers elected last month assumed their | duties for the current year last Tuesday. The chfef consul will have the appointment of five lecal consuls—one for each section of the city, and the fifth for Georgetown. In addition to these a racing board will be appoir ted, the regular committee on rights and privileges, the road book committee and several other standing committees. It seems most likely that with the exception of a few changes, the old committees will be reappointed, and the officers remain sud- stantially the same until next November. The most important work of the coming year wili be the compilation and publica- tion of a suitable road book, which was under way all of last year, and which is now very near completed. As soon as all of the data is up the book will be publish- ed and distributed free of charge to local members of the crder. Mr. J. A. Degges, | the chairman of the coramittee in charge of the road book, has almost completed the task alone, and to him belongs most of | the credit when the book is published. | Miles Cycle Infantry. The sixth anniversary of the Miles Cycle Infantry will occur December 28. During the life of the organization a number of changes have been made, and the corps, as it stands today, is perhaps stronger in every pect than ever before. The mem- bers of the company have decided to prop- erly celebrate the event. On December 28. | er around that date, it has been decided to hold a rousing smoker, which all of the friends of the organization will be invited | to attend. The affair will be made pleasant to all, and though the smoker will be given solely as an anniversary celebration it is expected that the ranks of the company will be increased by a number of recruits growing out of this affair. } ‘The relay ride of the company, which was | to have been held tomorrow, from this city | to Frederick, has been postponed. Several unforeseen things have arisen which have nepessitated the postponement, and it now locks possible that the ride may not be held | at all this year. It was contemplated to di- | vide the distance into five-mile relays. This | was all good enough, but there was no! easy way of marking off the relays, the railroad route to Frederick being entirely different from the road route usually pur- sued by the wheelmen. As a result the re- lay riders would all have to ride to their stations on their wheels, and then get ready to ride the five-mile relays in their fastest possible time.- At the meeting of the company held last week Corpl. Robert D. Weaver was elected first lieutenant of the company, subject to his successfully passing the oral exam!na- tions, which will be held December 16. First Sergt. H. K. Gibson has been ordered be- fore the brigade board for examination for candidate sergeant. The corps has under consideration the giving of its regular annual dance some time this month. The full particulars of the project will be discussed at the meet- ing which will be held this evening, and some definite action will be taken. Last year the dance was held at National Rifles’ Armory. but this year the affair, if held at all, will most likely be at Carroll Institute Halil. Misfit Cycle Club. For a new organization the Misfit Cycle Club has made wonderful strides, and al- though only a few weeks old has a mem- bership equal to a good many of the clubs of the city, to say nothing at all of the in- terest that is manifested in the organiza- tion. The club held a regular meeting Wed- nesday evening at its headquarters, 1332 13th street, at which considerable business of importance was transacted. The club decided to add a gymnasium to the quarters. Prior to taking this step, however, an appropriation was made for the renovation of the club rooms. The quarters will be repainted and repapered and fitted out in cozy home-like style. With the creation of a gymnasium steps will be taken to form a basket ball team. As soon as the gymnasium is fully completed the team will be started in actual training and arrangements made to play all of the lecal teams. he club has plenty of excellent material with which to pick an excellent team, and will undoubtedly make a good showing. Arlington Wheelmen. The Arlington Wheelmen held their regu- lar monthly meeting Tuesday evening at the Losekam. Several new mémbers were edmitted to the club and the reports of the efficers and various committees sub- mitted. The principal business of the even- ing was the’ election of officers, which re- sulted as follows: President, William Get- tinger; vice president, Ed Terry; secretary and treasurer, John Rawlings; captain, Frank Potts; lieutenant, E. J. Murphy. The new officers will be instalied at the next regular meeting, which will be held the first Tuesday in January. This makes the fourth consecutive time that Mr. Get- tinger has been elected president of the club, which attests his popularity, and shows what confidence the club members = in him at the head of the organiza- tion. A good story about President Gettinger has just leaked out. In the recent ten- mile road race of the club to the surprise of a good many he finished well up in the front, looking very well indeed, and claiming that if his tire had not gone down on him, compelling him to ride half the distance on the rim of one wheel, he would have secured a place much nearer the winner. It seems as though Mr. Gettinger expected to win the race and with that end in view he had been training hard. His officels in the central power station, and every day after the close of business he would go up on the top floor of the buil:- ing, which is one large room, and there reel off many miles. None of his friends saw him train, and nobody knew he was training. In several attempts at ten miles ridden in the power house he covered the distance in 29 minutes. He calculated on making the same time on the road, which with a good handicap would make him win- ner by‘a big margin. His plans miscarried, however, and he was compelled to tuke ninth place. Club Notes. The Washington Road Club is practically hibernating for the winter. All attempts to hoid a club meeting have preved fruitless and it ts expected that no meeting will be held until some time next year, when everybody will hustle to make the proposed fair a success. The Altair Cycle Club will hold its reg lar meeting Monday evening, at which it ts most likely a date will be arranged for the arnual banquet of the club. Cycling in the Capital Bi. Club is now dead for the season. The members are now turning their attention to indoor amuse. ments. The first german of the season held last evening, and was led by Dr. J. Bartlett Hills, the popular captain of the club. There were over twenty-five couples present, occupying all of the dancing space in the large double parlors of the club house. The opening of the Columbia Riding School for the winter season will be held this evening at the academy, corner 22d and P streets. A large number of invita- tions have been sent out to all of the lead- ing Soctety people of the city, and a large attendance is expected. Pref. Will Haley and his orchestra will furnish the music for the evening, and al! of the guests will be allowed the free use of the bicycles at ne academy for riding over ‘the polished cor. —_—_——>——_ SOME CYCLE CHAT Many wheelmen and wheelwomen after the first real touch of cold weather will stcre their machines away for the winter season, not to be again resurrected until the balmy weather of spring blossoms forth. This has been the case for a num- | ber of years with a certain class of riders, who use the bicycle solely for pleasure, and who find no pleasure in riding in cold weather, when the air ts piercing and the frosty wind is apt to come up without a moment's warning, making riding anything but pleasant. It is in regard to the storing of the wheels that this is written. A few werds of warning will not be remiss. Do not place the wheel in any convenient spot, but keep it in some place where it will not suffer in any way by the brief respite from active service. By all means do not place the wheel where it is damp. It seems as though most of the wheels thus stored away are placed in cellars, and, as every one knows, a cellar is always more or less | demp, especially in cold weather. The best | place to store the wheel is in a garret. Though the air in the upper story may be cold, it is net damp, and cold weather never did nor never will harm a wheel. Look carefully over the machine before storing ft. Give It a thorough cleaning, es- | pecially the bearings, and when they are put back in place use vaseline in the bail cups. Clean the nickel parts and go over the chain. Clean the enamel on the frame, | and wipe away every particle of dirt. Then take vaseline or a greasy cloth and rub !t over the nickeled portions of the bicycle. Den’t be afraid to do this, and use plenty of elbow grease. This will not only prc- vent rust from getting a hold, but will also tend to loosen and partly erase any rust |that may have been on the bicycle. Pay particular attention to the spokes. When the wheel is stored away put it in some Place wiere the dust is not apt to strike it, and if this is hard to do invest a few cents in cheap cotton cloth and make a cover- ing for the whole thing. Coasting is a dangerous practice. Some people know it, but there are others who have yet to learn the foily of such riding. Riding in this manner is rendered more dangerous when the machines are without brakes. There are plenty of riders who take all risks doing so. They either use the foot as a brake by sticking it through the front forks, or eise block. the wheel by placing the hand behind the saddle. and lifting the whole rear wheel a short dis- tance above the ground. Both of these metheds require considerable skill, and are only obtained through practice. The best coasting rule that can be given is not to coast, whether you have a brake or not. If, however, you Insist, start in coasting by taking a smull hill, and use the brake if ycu have one. Never sud- denly apply the brake. It not only jolis the whole machine, and places an addi- tional strain upon all of the parts, but it is apt to make the rider take a header. When the safety was first introduced, the broad assertion was made that the rider could not take a header, but the folly of this statement is apparent to all old riders. A header on a safety is gencraliy attended with worse results than a header on one of the old uprights. Bicycle statistics are always interesting to a large number of people, and the in- terest 1s increased when the figures deal with the number of accidents traceable to the bicycle. The compilation of such is rather difficult, especially when the num- ber of riders is as large as in a city about the size of Washington. Yet a Buffalo newspaper has compiled ‘Statistics of this character of that place, and a recent is- sue of the Medical and Surgical Reporter gives quite an article reviewing the figures under the head of the “Surgical Status of the Bicyck The figures cover a pericd of twenty-five weeks, and relate to acci- dents occuring to cyclists on the streets of Buffalo. That city is about the size of Washington. One out of every seven of the population uses the highways, while one out of every four of this number rides a bicycle. Although supplied with over 200 miles of smooth pavements, the ma- jority of riding, both by men and women, is for business, and, therefore, on down- town streets. They are not so wide, nor so empty as might be desired by cyclists, still there is no crowding as occurs in New York and Boston, none of the tortuous and narrow streets of the latter, and none of the bad pavements that characterize Phifa- deiphia or Baltimore. The statistics com- menced on April 15 and ended October 10. During this time there were sixty-three bicycle accidents serious enough to in- volve medical attendance. There were a number of other accidents that did not get into print, sufficient to swell the total number to 100, or an average of four per week. No deaths resulted, though some of the accidents were thought to be fatal at first. The distribution of accidents for May, June and August, and parts of April and October are about equal. Five acci- dents, the minimum, occurred in July, and sixteen in September, the maximum. ‘The accidents for May and June are ascribed to the large number of novices out on the THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1896-24 PAGES. 19 Streets. Forty-one, -that is about two- thirds of the cyclists injured, were men, and as the proportion of ‘nen riders is in excess of women riders these figures indi- ‘cate a relatively greater liability on the part of women. This is explained, not cnly by differences in dress and general physi- cal development, which work to the detri- ment of the female sex, but py the com- mon observation that women cyclists carry more bundles than men, and, therefore, have their wheels under iess perfect con- trol, and that they also take chances that none but the most reckless male riders would dare. The lively interest taken in cycling at the different colleges promises well for the intercollegiate eycle racing for next sea- son, which will occur about Decoration day. It is now assured that a two cays’ meet will be held next season, and thea! fair promises to be one of the mast in- teresting of the year. In order to get in condition considerable indoor training will be done during the cold weather cf early sprng. é ‘The recent touch of cold weather, a taste of what can be expected for the next three or four months, has had the effect of turn- ing the wheelman’s mind to suitable dress. There are some riders who are compelled to ride the wheel during the cold weather, and the question with them is how to dress warmly and comfortably. On a wheel one cannot be overburdened with clothing, as. it retards progress, and is apt to work the riaer into a perspiration, something to be avoided, as a bad cold, if nothing worse, is the direct consequence. The clothing should rot be too tight to prevent the free circulation of the blood. Paper is a very warm material. If a sweater is used next to the shirt, use two or three thicknesses of newspaper on the breast, and that will keep out the cold. If regular clothing is worn, paper can be used in a similar man- ner. Many wheelmen in cold weather are troubled with cold feet. The use of golf stockings furnishes a remedy, und if the ankle motion is used the entire foot will be kept in motion. A good, heavy pair of Wooten gloves is a popular remedy for cold hands, One or two of the bicycle accidents which have occurred in this city this season h been due to insecure handle bars. The only wonder Is that the accidents were not more serious than they really turned out to be. An accident resulting from this cause is apt to result far more disa: trously than from a broken frame or any- thing else.eA rider skimming along at a fair. rate whose handle bars turn com- pletely around, or with very little pres- sure pull out, fs apt to fall to the ground much more’ quickly and harder than from any other cause. The causes of an inse- cure handle bar are numerous. The bar may be too short, and when the nut !s tightened to hold it in place the pressure may not be on the bar at all. This is caused by using a short-handled bar, and raising it up, leaving only a fraction of an inch In the head cf the machine. If a person owns a wheel, this matter can be easily investigated and made secure. It is In the hired wheel that the most diffi- culty occurs. Frequently, to suit custom- ers, the dealer will change handle bars, taking those from another machine. ‘Through a mistake, the bar on the changed wheel is not made tight, and unknowingly a wheel is rented to another customer, who finds out the oversight greatly to his sor- row. From these causes the greatest num- ber of accidents occur. Of course, a handle bar is likely to snap in the head when any great strain is placed upon it, or when there {s a flaw in the material at the point where the strain is felt most. These accj- dents are few and far between, howevel though the handle bar may ‘frequently break at other place: The wheelmen of Jersey City have se- cured a novel vindication of their rights. A lawyer of that city, who is also a wheel- man, while riding on one of the, principal streets of the town, was annoyed by the persistent efforts of the driver of a vehicle to head him off. He secured the driver’s arrest on a charge of assault, and the court in which the case was tried sustained the charge. The court claimed that “It is an assault to ride dangerously near a person, thus exposing him to fear injury to his person (State agt. Sims, 35 S. C., 137, and Morton agt. Shoppe, 3 C. & P. . An assault is an attempt unlawfully to apply any or the least actual force to the person of another, directly or indirectly, or, in other words, an assault is an unsuccessful attempt to do harm to the person of an- other, thereby causing a well-founded ap- prehension of immediate peril. There can be 10 criminal assault without a present intention as well as ability of using some violence.."". The counsel for the defendant claimed that the bicyclists “wanted the earth,” so to speak, but the court thought they were entitled to the same rights on the public highway as are accorded and enjoyed by the rider and the driver. On account of the case being the first of its kind, the personal bonds of the prisoner were taken. SCHADE’S RECORD. He Winds Up the Season After W ning Fifty-One First Prizes Fred Schade, one of the best known ama- teur cyclists in the United States, this year has won more first prizes than any cyclist in the country, having captured fifty-one and made various records, and won cham- pionships. His first public appearance in open com- petition this year was May 9, at the dial games between the Columbian and George- town universities. Here he captured both open events easily, taking the mile in 2.45 and the three-mile race in 8.34, scoring the only ten points Columbian won. Six days later at Greenwood, S. C., he showed the fine physical trim he was in by capturing everything from a large field of competi- tors. He won the quarter-mile open in 33 2-5; the half mile in 1.09; the three-mile open in 8.13; the five-mile handicap, after a hard ride from scratch, in 13.10, and capped the whole by winning the one-mile invitation, standing start, in the southern arrateur record time of 2.14. This, indeed, stands as a good performance. os At the diamond tournament of the Char- lotte, N. C., Cycle Club, May 20, he cap- tured the big event of that section, the one-mile League of American Wheelmaa crempicnship of the southern states. He alse pluckily started in the other events, winring the quarter-mile race in .31 3-5, standing start (state record); the one-mile handicap, irom scratch, in 2.30. From scratch he ran second in the two-mile han- dicap, time, 4.53, manuging to defeat the weil-krcwn amateur, George E. Rupert of the New York Athletic Club, who was Schade’s clcsest competitor in all the events. With the title of champion of the south, a@ pocketful of d'emonds, gold watches, &c., and eicht first prizes out of nine starts and several records to his credit, Sckade returned to Washington. It was a week later that he won his great triumph at Manhattan Beach, N. Y., where he cre- ated a sensation and surprised the college world by beatirg cut tha brawniest spect- mens of recing men in the teams of Yale, Columbia, Harvard, Fernsylvania, Prince- ton and Cornell, winning the much cov- eted event, the five-mile intercollegiate championship of America. His peiliand victory, caused a New York newspaper to devote a page to the descrip- tion of that particular event, and is sul fresh in the minds of the public. Memorial day at the big meet of the Washington Road Club at the International Athletic Park he competed in four races, suffering defeat in two and winning the other two. It was in the one-quarter mile and one-mile open that Schade first met W. F. Sims, last year’s class B flyer, and suffered defeat; nevertheless, running a close second in both events. In the two- mile handicap Schade won in 4.49, and in the paced mile Schade won in 2.16, with — second; time, 2.19. next appearance was in Boston June 3. Schade by this time regained his old form. The occasion here was the meet of the Harvard College Cycle Association at the Charles River cement track, Cam- bridge, Mase. As a representative of Co- jumblan College, he made a it show- ing, capturing the: two-mile ndicap in the fast time of:4.26 2-5, from the thirty- yard mark. In thémile open the same day he ran a dead heat with Ray Dawson, the celebrated crack, {mn 2171-5; also winning second place from a large field in the two- thirds mile, scratch; time, 1.29, June 20, at the Morton Cadet field day at International Park, Schade, for the second time, met Fred Sims. The greatest kind of Fred. Schade. rivalry existed between these two and a large “crowd was present. In a clean-cut event in the mile open Schade defeated Sims, time, 2.34, and in the two-mile handi- cap he repeated the triek by winning in July 4 Schade started his second victor- lous tour through the southern states, wearing the colors of the Washington Road Club. On ihat date he won at Richmond during the confederate reunion four firsts and one second prize, the latter being in a five-mile handicap. ‘That same night he left for Rock Hill, 8. C., where he was entered at the Diamond Meet of the Rock Hill Athletic Association for July 6 Again bis great speed pulled him through to sure victory, he capturing the five-mile handi- cap In 13.05, the mile handicap in 2.24, the mile epen and one-quarter mile open—a clean sweep. . From Rock Hill he went to Charlotte, N. C., to recuperate and train for the two. mile championship of the south. Remain- ing until July 25 he left for Greenwood, S.C. Here he showed a remarkable turn of speed by again defending his title as champion of the south, easily winning all the open events and also capturing the three-mile handicap from scratch in. the fast record time of 7.14. Five firsts was his day’s w That night he left for Ar derson, ere he was entered in the 1-mile tion, one-quarter-mile open and one-half-mile open. At this meet he ran against Geo. N. Adams, the fast ama- teur of Florida, and former holder of the southern championship, Great interest wa manifested in the meeting of these two. The events were hotly cont and Schade won all, defeat- ing Adams in all the events except tl e-mile, in which the former did not 1 The same night Schade left for where he was to m ‘ace to definitely all the latter’s claims to the champ ¢ out victorious, winning 14, running second in the f-mile handicap in 1.04, and second mile race; time, 2.10°1-5, In the last named race Schade suffered his only defeat in a scratch race on his whole trip He next competed at the diamond tourna- ent of the Arlington Wheelmen, August His work from there on Is well known, winning alone here in Washington fourteen firsts and two second prizes, including the Columbia Athletic Club championship. His riding at the Labor day meet and his de- feat of Wm. Sims ‘tn the mile match in 2.12 1-5 and in the open races there and at the national circult meet was exceptional- ly good. His record this seuson is better than any amateur fm the country. He has on several occasions ridden half-miles un- der a minute and miles close to 2 minutes. oo SHALL WE MEASURE BY TENS? Proposed pge.to the Metric Syx- tem. From the Househogh ‘The movement: in favor of the adoption of the metric system;of weights and meas- ures has progreseed so far in England that the government is reported to have drafted a bill tg Be’ submitted to parlia- ment at the opening of the next ses: 5 In our own Gongress a bill for the same purpose was favorably reported to the Hovse of Representatives at the last se: sion, but it did not reach a vote. Possibly the knowledga of what is being done in England may, accelerate action in this country. Both here and in Engiind the move- ment will be discouraged by those who are averse to changing standards which have been £o long familiar; but the con- venience of the decimal method of nota- tion, and the fact that the metric system is already in use in half of the civilized world, are strong arguments in favor of the innovation. Another argument. of which a good deal is made in the report of the committee of the House of Representatives, is the c fusion at presont existing in the several states as to the meaning of different weights and measures. For example, if a man buys a bushel of potatoes in Ohio, he receives sixty pounds; in the state of Washington, he gets only fifty pounds. A bushel of salt in Virginia means fiftv pounds; in Colorado, it Is elghty pounds. A Lushel of apples in Maine means forty- four, in Wisconsin fifty-seven pounds. “A curlous statute in Vermont directs that in measuring certain commodities “‘one bushel and three-quarters of a peck shall be deem- ed a bushel.” There are confusing differences also in th> measurement of liquids. A gallon of n:'‘Ik in New York contains two hundred and thirty-one cubic inches; in Minnesota two hundred and eighty-two. A barrel of oil or cider means ten gallons more in some states than ir others. On a single bushel or barrel, these dif- fererces are not so important, especially when buyer and seller know what is meant. But in large transactions, the aM- feresce amounts to a good deal, and it would be much better, on every account, that a bushel or barrel or gallon should mean everywhere the same thing. There being plainly a need of uniform- ity, and the prospect of achieving it through the concurrent action of all the state legislatures being remote, the metric system offers a good basis of adjustment which has the further advantage of being in accord with the practice of many other nations. The bill before Congress does not pro- vide for an abrupt change. If it were to become law, the metric system would be adopted by ‘the national departments July 1, 1898, and by the nation at large Janu- ary 1, 1901, ——_—___+e+ Robbers on Bicycles. According to a yarn spun by an enter- prising western journalist, robbers ac- complish their coups in a matter of fact and up-to-date manner. It is the bicycle they now employ to assist them in plunder- ing. The story rins‘that a wild-eyed man rode swiftly up -the central avenue of a western town, leaped: from his wheel, rob- bed the bank, amd sped away before he could be spores Improved Strawberries, Meehans’ Monthly he eater It is a well-known, fact that the varieties of strawberries ja use today are in no re- spects better, if,indeed as good, as many varieties that wére popular over a quarter of a century ago, and yet it is recognized by all hands that new varieties are essen- tial. This chiefly ‘cpmes from a disease caused ‘by the optration of the strawberry fungus, which takes the form of small brown spots on),the; leaves. Wherever it occurs; the strawberry plants deciine in health-and general quality. As long as a varlety can be kept free from this trouble new kinds are not essential, but it seems, according to the experience of most straw- berry growers, that sooner or later these little parasites will discover the most. iso- lated plantations. The Leek. Mechans’ Monthly for December. : Those who have charge of restaurants report a growing request for stewed onions. It this taste is really growing, the leek ought to come into more general demand. The flavor is much’more delicate than that of the onion—and some contend that, when every part of the green foliage is removed, a good dish of stewed lecks is. preferable to the best asparagus. ——— THE NATIONAL GUARD Arrangements for the Presentation of Rifle Match Trophies, APHASE OF THE DRILL HALL SITUATION Plan Suggested for Increasing the General Brigade Efficiency. IN THE COMPANY —s ROOMS The drill hall situation is believed to be rapidly approaching a climax. In general orders the brigade, regimental, battalion and company teams and individual com- petitors who were winners in the author- ized rifle matches during 18) have been directed to assemble in the drill hall at 8:30 o'clock Monday evening next to receive the trophies and prizes. The commanding offi- cers of the Ist and 2d Regiments have each caused to be made up, by detail from the regiment at large, a full company of thir- ty-two files to act as escort to the success- ful competitors. The 2d Regiment Band has been ordered out, and thé donors of prizes, the Guardsmen not participatifig and the public at large are invited to be present and witness the ceremony. In fact, unusuallly elavorate preparations are be- ing made to the end that the occasion shail be of more than passing moment. Those thoroughly conversant with affairs, however, entertain not the slightest doubt that the ice rink will be open for business, as usual, Monday evening at the same old stand. The hall has not been at the dis- pesal of the guard on the nights assigned to it since prior to the opening of the rink, and there is no reason to believe the situa- tion will be different Monday evening. I that event fi is expected something will be heard to drop not later than T: A for it is not seen how official action in re- gard to the use of the drill hall can be longer delayed. On the suppos avaiable for use ton has been de the hall will be tenant Colonel Wal- ignated to command the parade, which will be formed by Capt. James L. Mack, adjutant of the 2d Regi- ment. The escort company of the Ist Reg! ment will be commanded by Capt. John S. Miller, with First Licutenant Charles A. Meyec and Second Licutenant Charles Robinson, jr. The mpany will be officered M. William: First Lieutena eLeod and Sec- Richmond. First Arnold will accom- ond Lieutenant Lieutenant W pany the Ist ’s company as its adjutant, wl Licuienant R. D. Simms is to serve in a similar capacity for the 2d Regiment’s company. The escort companies will form for p: successful competitors between command the adjutant with each escort will report. Next the captains of the es- cort companies and the ri iant are to advance to the front and cen The escort will parade in full dres: the competitors in field dress and equip- ment. The detaiis of the presentation will not be made known until the night of the assembly. Incrensing General Eficiency. The matter of increasing the general efficie.cy of the brigade wes further dis- cussed Thursday evening at a mecting at- tended by Maj. Winthrop Alexander, Maj. E, R. Campbell, Maj. F. Revells, Capt. Edgar A. Shilling, Capt. George W. En: land, Capt. James L. Meck, Capt. G. W. Holt, Capt. S. H. Wiggins, First Lieut. A. P. Robbins, First Lieut. Fyles and First Lieut. J. Bruce Webb. Maj. Alexander presided, and by request Lieut. Webb out- lined his plan, which is now well know The general opinion of those present seem- ed to be that the scheme was desirable, but seme question existed as to the manner of determining the relative merit cf the or- ganizations. After considerable disenssion Maj. Campbell suggested that an inspecting committee, to consist of Maj. Alexander and one officer of each regimental staff, to be named by him, be appointed. The suz- gestion was adopted. The idea is that the committee shall make unexpected inspec- tions of the companies. The committee re- ferred to will report to the committee that met Thursday evening, and it in turn is to submit a report to a general meeting of the officers of the guard some time next week. Before adjournment the armory question was discussed. Prizes and the Winners. Those who are booked to receive prizes, the conditions of the matches and a de- scription of the trophies are as follows: Merchants’ match—The competitor mak- ing the highest total score, is entitled to the first chcice of prize, and the other competitors in regular order, according to thelr scores, until the whole number of prizes is exhausted. A leather medal will be presented to the competitor making the lowest score. The nighest possible aggre- gate score fifty points. About twenty prizes will be awarded. The first twent five competitors and their scores were as follows: - Color Sergeant Wilcox, general staff, 45; Private Crist, Company _B, 2d Battalion, 45; Private Edwards, Company B, En- gineer Corps, 44; Sergeant McLaughlin, Company A, Engineer Corps, 44; Private Steward, Corgpany C, Engineer Gorps, 43; Private ‘Colladay, Company B, 2d Bat- talion, 41; Private Farrow, Company A, Engineer Corps, 41; Sergeant Major Lan- ham, Engineer ‘Corps, 41; Private Camp- bell, 2d Separate Company, 40; Trumpeter Carroll, 1st Separate Company, 40; Private J. D. Leeman, Company D, 4th Battalion, 29; Private Bush, Company A, 6th Batta!- ion, 39; Private Wells, Company b, ist Battalion, 89; Sergeant Major Bailey, 5th Battalion, 39; Sergeant Groome, Company A, 6th Battalion, 39; Sergeant Allison, Com- pany C, Ist Battalion,: Private Ball, Com- pany A, 6ih Battalion, 39; Private McClena- han, Company C, 2d Battalion, 38; Private Buell, Company ‘B, 6th Battalion, 38; Pri- vate Kline, Company C, Ist Battalion, 3} Private Egleston, 2d Separate Compan. 38; Private Brittain, Company A, 2d Ba’ talfon, 37; Quartermaster Sergeant Dyer, 2d Battation, 37; ate Irvin, Company C, Ist Battalion, Private Ellsworth, Company B, 6th Battalion, 36. | The leather medal will be awarded to Private Mayer, Company A, 3d Battalion. Company and Regimental, Ccmpany team match. Open to five en- listed men from any company. The dis- tance was 200 yards, five rounds per man. The highest possible aggregate score was 125 points. The prize is probably a costly clock and was won by the team of Com- pany B, 2d Battalion, the score being as follows: Private Colladay, 24; Corporal Lowall, 24; Private Taylor, 20; Private Crist, 20; Pri- vate Getzerdarner, 17. Total, 105. Battalion match. Open to teams of five enlisted men from any battalion. The dis- tance was 200 yards, seven rounds per man. The highest possible aggregate score was 175 points. The prize will also probably be a clock, and it was won by the team of the 2d _ Battalion, the score being as follows: Private Colladay, Company B, 34; Pri- vate Taylor, Company B, 30; Private Mc- Clenahen, Con pany C, ; Private Crist, Company B, 28; Private Brittain, Company A, 24. Total, 145. Regimental match. Open to teams of six from any regimental, separate battalion or provisional battalion organization. The distance was 200 and 500 yards, ten rounds per man, and one twenty-round skirmish run. The highest possible individual ag- gregate was 200 points, and the team ag- gregate 1,200 poirts. A clock will aiso probably reward the winner in this match, which was the team of the Ist Regiment, the score being as follows: Private Wells, Company B, ist Battalion, 1i7; First Lieut. Reichelderfer, staff 3d Battalion, 176; Private Taylor, Company B, 2d Battalion, 171; Private Colladay, Com- pary B, 2d Battalion, 168; Private Crist, Company B, 2d Battalion, 147; First Lieut. Stokes, staff 2d Battalion, 114. Total, 953. Separate Cempany and Volley Skir- mishing. Sepagate Company match.—Open to teams of five enlisted men from the Ist and 2d Separate companies. ‘The distance was 200 yards, five rounds per man. The high- est possible aggregate score was 125 points. So far aa canbe learned, the prize will be a valuable clock. The winner was the team of the 1st Separate Company, its score be- ing as foliows: ‘Trumpeter Carroll, 21; Private Boyer, 1 Private Green, 19; Private Birdsall, 16; Cor- poral Lanham, 12. Total, 8i—with five points added for carbine, #2. Volley skirmish match.—Open to teams of ten enlisted men from any infantry bat- talion, In heavy marching order. ‘The high- est posstbie aggregate score was 150 unis The prize is $20. Pe The winner was the team of the 4th bat- talion, commanded by Capt. Henry Walsh, Comipany A, with a total of 47 points. The May’ mateh—Open to all commis- sioned officers and enlisted men of the guard who qualified as sharpshooters dur- ing the year. The distances were 300 and ovo yards, ten ro-nds at cach dis'ance. ‘The prize is © gold medal, presented by Capi. Henry May, and it will be presented to Private C. McC. Taylor, Company B, 24 Battalion, whose total was $i. The Washington match.—Open to all en- Asted men of the guard who qualified as marksmen during the year, and who had never won an individual medal or prize in ary competition. The distances were 200 and 300 yards, five rounds at each distanc The highest possible aggregate score was fifty points. The first prize is a gold medal presented by Mr. John H. Magruder, and it was won by Private McClenahan, Com- pany C, 2d Battalion, with a total of 4 The second prize is a gold-handled um- brella, presented by Mr. A. Lisner, and it will be awarded to Private Campbell, 2d Separate Company, his total being 38. The third prize, a suitable trophy, will b C, 4th Battalion, who scored 37. : The Harris trophy match.—Open to all commissioned officers and enlisted men of the Guard who qualified as sharpshooters Guring the year. The distances were 200, 200, 300 and 000 yards, ten rounds at each stance. The highest possile aggresate Score was 200 points. The prize is a silver cup, to be held one year, and a gold medal to be the permanent property of the win- ner, both presented by R. Harris & C: Private C. McC. Taylor, Company B, 24 Taitalion, took first place, with a score of 70. Evening Star and Senatorial. The Evening Star match.Open to all commissioned officers and enlisted men, including distinguished marksmen of the Guard, who qualified as sharpshooters dur- ing the year, and who ha@ not previously won the match. The distances were 200, WY, 0 and 600 yards, five shots at each distance. The highest possible aggregate score was 10 points. The prize is a goid medal presented by The ening Star Newspaper Company, and it will adorn the breast of Private S. I Scott, Company A, Engineer Corps, who scored 8. The senatorial trophy match.—Open to all commissioned ofticers and enlisted men, including distinguished marksmen of the Guard, who qualified as sharpshooters during the year. The distances were 30), 30) and 6% yards, five rounds at e: distance, with a skirmish run of twenty rounds. The highest possible aggregate score was 2 points. The troph: y is a large silver cup, presented by twenty-one United States S ors, e winner is al gntitied to @ badge designating him as the “champion rifleman of the District of Columbia.” Color Sergeant W. W. Cook- son, Engineer Corps, came out at the h of the list, with a score of 1 Distlaguished Marksmen ond Mosher. The distinguished marksmin match.— Open to all distinguished marksmen tw yards, five rounds at each distance, and one skirmish run of forty rovnds. The highest possible aggregate score was 30 poinis. The prizes are two valuable medals donated respectively by the late Col. H. L. Cranford and Maj. M. V. Tierney. These medals will be held and worn by the win- ners during the ensuing year. To become the property of the winners, each of the medals must be won three times, not neces- sarily in successive years. The two highest scores in the recent competition were First Lieut, Frank Graham, staff, Engineer Cerps, 245, and Second Lieut. Andrew O. Hutterly, Company A, Engineer Corps, 2 Five points were deducted from Lieut. Hut- terly’s skirmish-run score for the reason that he fired one shot after the command “Ceese firing.” The Mosher re-entry match.—Open to members of the National Rifle Association. The distance was 300 yards, ten shots, with any rifle and any ammunition. Special and military rifles were handicapped three poirts on each score. The highest possible aggregate score was 100 points. The prizes are $15, $5, a music box valued at $25, pre- sented by Mr. F. G. Smith, and a lamp, donated by Mr. M. W. Beveridge. The com- petitors who made the three highest scores will be allowed the privilege of selecting their prizes. The winners are Private Far- row, Company A, Engineer Corps, *1; ond Lieut. A. O. Hutterly, Company A. E gineer Corps, 74; First Lieut. George C. Shaw, staff, 5th Battalion, 73, and Private S. I. Scott, Company A, Engineer Corp: ‘The Lothrop match.—Open to members of the association. The distance was 2) yards, ten shots, on the standard A’ t get with any rifle and any Special and special military rifles were handicapped 3 points. The highest possible score was 100 points. The first ™ $10, donated by Messrs Woodward rop, and the second prize a 32-cal| Johnson automatic revolver, donated Mr. M. A. Tappan. The winners ar ‘arrow, Company A, Engineer Corps, and Second Lieut. A. O. Hutteriy, Com- pany A, Engineer Corps, 64. It is und> stood that a revolver also be awarded to First Lieut. George C. Shaw, sia ti Battalion, because of a contention that b: would have stood second had not Lieut. Hutterly used what some claim io be a special military rifle. Columbia and Team Matches. The Columbia match.—Open to members of the association. The distances.were 2”) and 300 yards, ten shots at each, on the stan4d- ard American target, with any rifle and any ammunition, Special and special mail- itary rifles were handicapped 3 points at by Pri each range. The highest possible axsre- gate score was 200 points. The first prize is $20 and the second prize $10. The win- rers were Private S. I. Scott, Company A, Engineer Corps, 131, and Second Lieut. A. O. Hutterly, Company A, Engineer Corps, Prizes will evening to the winners of team matches, held in the rifie gallery last winter. These are: Company match, Com- pany A, Engineer Corps; battalion match, Engineer Corps; regimentai match, 2d Regi- ment. Schedule for Gallery Practice. The following schedule for gallery pra tice has been arranged and will be ob- served for the months of Januar Feb- ruary, March and April, 1897, during which period the prescribed practice will be com- pleted. The Ist Battalion will practice in the gal- lery at its armory, under a schedule to be prepared by the battalion commander. 2d Battalion, first and third Mondays of each month; 34 Battalion, first and third Saturdays of each month; 4th Battalion, first and third Tuesdays of each month; 5th Battalion, second and fourth Mond of each month; 6th Battalion, second and fourth Tuesdays of each month® Ist Sep- arate Battalion, first and third Wednes- days of each month; Engineer Corps, Ist Separate Company and 2d Separate Com- pany, second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The gen-ral staff, the field staff officers and non-commissioned staff of regiments, and battalion inspectors of rifle practice, the fourth Wednesday of each month. Volicy firing will follow the individual practice at each range, three volleys being fired by each company, kneeling. A proper record of the results, to be entered in the company’s target record book, will be cer- tified by the inspector of rifle practice. Companies will be reported at the rifle gallery promptly at 8 o'clock p.m., in un- dress uniform, armed and equipped. ‘The rifle gallery will be opened every day, except Sunday, from 4 to 6 o'clock p.m. for voluntary practice. Ammunition will be furnished on the payment of one cent for each round. An inspector of rifle prac- tice will be in atténdance, and, on request will certify scores to the captains of co. panies, to be credited part of the re- quired practice. Smsll arzas practice for the ensuing year will be conducted as. heretofore. Preliminary Rifle Matches. The following rifie matches, preliminary to the regular series heretofore referred to, have been announced in general orders, as follows: Company match—Teams of five; ten shots per man, at 200 yards, to be fired in two stages of five shots each. Battalion match—Teams of ten: ten shots per man, at 200 yards, to be fired in two stages of five shots each. Regimental match—Teams of ten; also be presented Monday the series of ten hots per man, et 200-yards, to be fired in two stages of five shots each. The regulations provide that all organiza- tions desiring to do so may compete; that each company team will be commanded by a company officer; that the cleaning of rifles between stages will not be permitted, and that teams from the Ist and 2d Se; arate Companies will use the carbine; per cent will be added to the total te score. It was inadvertently stated in orders that the preliminary matches are open to en- listed men only. Officers, as well as en- listed men, are eligible for entry. An Appenl to Col. Moore. The Indications are that Col. William G Moore, commanding the Ist Regiment, will reconsider his admiited intention of sever- ing his connection with the guard. This was brought about by the following com- munication addressed to the officers memberg of the Washington Light Infa try Corps, at the regular meeting W. nesday evening last: “We, the undersigned, representing field, staff, non-commissioned staff four companies of the Ist Battalion, ing been advised, through the daily of the contemplated resignation of our be- loved and honored commander of nis com mission as colonel of the Ist Regiment, da hereby earnestiy appeal to him by all the love and affection that has bound us together, not to sever his National Guard association with the command. “We declare in language most emphatic, that this command wants no other col nel Under his guidance we were the first te enroll ourselves in the District Nationa Guard, and under his watchful and pro- tecting care we have prospered. “We ask an expression of the members of the corps to the end that they unani- mously request Col. Moore to put aside hig personal considerations and remain with the regiment. We have been united is the past; let it be so to the end.” The paper was signed by B. R. Ross. major; William M. Arnold, adjutant; John A Heydler, s manding Company Shreve, commanding Company B; K. Lee, commanding Company Howard Beall, commanding Company D. A; and The sentiments mously indor: addresses were by Col. Moore. to be that he will ac the command. expressed were un: by the corps, and sev including remarks general opinion seems cede to the wishes of Notes. Company commanders prompt in forwarding th have ir been more val returns for rifle prac due November than ever before in the history of the guard. The attendance at voluntary practice in the gallery during the week has been very eratifying. Colcnel Olcott of the quarterma partment, New Jer National ited the rifle gallery Tu and expressed himseit with the arrangements and operation. It is said that Second Cameron of the National elected second lieuten sth Battalion, The hop of Co A, sday evening last was emi ful and enjoyable i The smoker cf the cc held sgiving evening, argely at- tended. The meeting of Troop A to arrange for its been postponed until Monde coming anni a Good-Byen. Scenes et a Railway Blatter. aay From Flie