Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-26
THE DISTRICT RIFIEMEN.
Major Poiiard's Adyic~-The Team SMOOTH
Next Year.

csre-aI,v there is some regret that the ssa-
SON OF actiye National Guard work on the range
WAS not brought 10 a close In October. As
Major Pollard said 10 srAR reporter ias n'eh';
1T is risky 70 attempt a shoot during the last
half of November because OF the uncertain
weather conditions. Next year the prizes VAL
be announced earlier and We who are interes'ea
in improved rihe'practice are pleased 70 nose
the hberality which has offered numerous
prizes for next season.
by the way" continued Maj. Pollard,
want 10 saw a few words about the winning Oh
prizes Quite a number Of gusrdsmen have
written 20 or interviewed me on the subject
and good many complain because l do not
modify the terms imposed by the donors OF
medals. &c This have no authority or inch
nation 10 do. IL. for instance, some puoiic-
spirited citizen donates a badge TO be shot tor
by Messrs. Smith. Percy and Joyce, Il wonld
march the trio Co the firing point nearest tne
targets. give them some ammunition anu
anNiously await results. but would never MINK
~ changing the conditions attached by the
donor. Others, men who have been IN tne
guard hut short time. are ambinous 70 wln
Valuable prizes given to the best shot IN tne
command, aud think some handicap should %
imposed or certain riaemen barred, or some
thing done TO even up matters Now, this cam
DC done. There Is no equality possible. Inc
prizes are. or should be, rewards Tor contnu-
GUS practice and study. and the attainment Of
skill and efficiency. For the beginner there n
the certainty Of winning q marksmsn's bar. or
possibly sharpshooter' cross. n he viii care
fuily and systematically attend the prescribed
course of practice for the season. Then most
OF the companies have medals. &c, 70 shoot Tor.
Intil he has won these there is little use OF his
attempting more difficult problems.
Next year we will probably have 10 limit en-
tries IN the free-for-afl matches. such as The
STAR. 20 qualified sharpshcoters, IN order 90
reduce the number OF contestants 20 pracu-
cable figure for handling in a single days shoot.
lhis would not exclude any possible winner.
Then there viii he a prize FOR the marksmans
class: or possibly first, second and third prizes
IN each class. No valuable medal or prize
should ever he too easily or cheaply won.
1t Is desired 10 make things attractive 20
those who strive for team service next year.
ana II possible three prizes. as gold, silver and
bronne medals. should be offered TO he shot Tor
each week during the season Of the team prac-
ice. ana to he decided at the last shoot before
starting for Creedmoo-. None, however, Ia be
won by any contestant who does not go with
the team. The object is to induce regular and
careful practice. Thus the first prize would
iaii 10 the individual who had led the team
most often during the season. the second
prize 10 the contestant having the next best
record and the third 10 the third best record.
IL has been objected that This would be detri-
coach each other. but any one who shouldkmani-
Test such spirit could and would be excused
from team service