Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-22
ORDWAY RANGE SHOOT
Beginning of the Annual Rife
Competition.
WEATHER Is IDEAL
GREAT INTEREST IN THE MEET
AMONG RIFLEMEN.
Regular Troops Stationed About
Washington Take Part for
the First Time.

RIFLE RANGE, Ordway, Md, October
22.-With weather conditions practically
perfect for target shooting, the annual rifle
competitions of the District of Columbia
National Guard began today on the range
here More interest than ever before is be-
ing manifested in the meeting, which Is to
continue throughout this week. Not only is
the national capitals brigade of organized
militia largely represented, but, for the first
time in the history Of these contests, the
regular troops stationed at Fort Myer and
the Washington barracks have teams on
the firing line. The District Commissioners
and many prominent citizens of Washing
ton, including those who have donated
prizes, have been invited to visit the range
during the meet and learn just what Is
being accomplished by the citizen soldiery
In the way of accurate handling of the rifle.
A number of visitors expected this af
ternoon, although the gala day of the meet
In that respect will probably be tomorrow.
Many Troops on the Streets.
The downtown streets of Washington be-
tween $50 o'clock and o'clock this morn
ing had the appearance of war times. Men
in field uniform with campaign hats and
leggins, provided with web-ca rtrdge belts
and armed with Krag- Jorgenson rifles, made
their way to the 9Th street passenger sta
ton. Others preferred what they consider
ed more soldierly route--that of riding on
electric railway cars to point beyond Ben
ming and then trudgtng or hiking over
the road a mile and one-half or Two miles
to the range. which is located on the main
line of the Pennsylvania railroad, about
quarter Of mile beyond Magruder station.
A team from Troop H, I'd United States
Cavalry, under command of Capt j. P.
Wade, came out by train with the majority
of the guardsmen. Teams from the Engineer
Corps. stationed at the Washington bar
racks, arrived shortly before 2 o'clock this
afternoon.
The fact that interest in the local shoots
Is steadily increasing Is attested by the fact
that siXty-six enlisted men, properly uni
formed, were entered in the merchants
match-the first competition of the meeting
all firing at the same time; that teams
from the army are participating. and that
several crack marksmen from New Jersey
have announced that they will be here be-
fore the wind-up of the meet to try con-
illusions with the District expert shots.
EXPERIENCES in work before the targets is
generally considered one of the most i'm
portant features of the training of SOL
der. regular or National Guardsman who
cannot shoot is regarded as little worse
than useless in time of trouble. So far as
the District of Columbia National Guard Is
concerned. the Importance Of training Its
officers and men in target shooting was
recognized years ago, and the result is that
through the big meetings at Sea Girt the
District has earned reputation for excel
lence In military rifle shooting that Is Sec
ond to none.
Picturesque Scene on the Range.
The scene this morning on the range was
one of picturesqueness. Stalwart men in
uniform were everywhere and rifle barrels
and polished accouterments glistened In the
bright sunshine. At the range Office Capt.
Thomas s. King was busy recording en-
tries, while Superintendent William A. Du-
vail of the National Guard armory had his
hands full Issuing ammunition. Major Jas.
E. Bell, inspector general of rifle practice,
District of Columbia militia. Is the execu-
tive officer of the meeting, and he has as
sisting him as range officers Capt. Thos. S.
King, inspector of rifle practice. 1st Regi-
ment, D. c. N. G.; Capt. J. 8. Tomlinson,
inspector of rifle practice, I'd Regiment;
First Lieut. P. Q. Smith,. Inspector Of rifle
practice, LIST Battalion; First Lieut.. NJ P.
Britain, inspector of rifle practice. I'd Bat
talon; First Lieut.. W. M. Farrow, inspector
Of rifle practice. 4th Battalion; First Lieut.
G. G. Dennison. inspector of rifle practice
9Th Battalion; First Lieut.. w. W. Cookson
inspector of rifle practice, 9th Battalion
First Lieut.. F. ]. Cardozo Inspector of rifle
practice, LIST Separate Battalion: Capt. J. B.
Robinson. Company B. LIST Battalion: First
Lieut.. W. c. Eckstein, Company D, 9th
Battalion. and Second Lieut. Charles H.
Ennis. Company A, LIST Battalion.
Major Bell, speaking through huge
megaphone, aligned the competitors in the
the 20O-yards' range soon after the range
opened for the day. The merchants match
was squadded competition Each COM
petitor drew for a target and after the
order OF firing was announced kept himself
In place. The match was open to all en-
listed men Of the District of Columbia Ma
tional Guard who have never performed
duty with the brigade rifle team, either as
principals or alternates. The distance was
200 yards, ten shots per man. The prizes
are a number Of valuable articles presented
by Washington business men. The COM
petitor who made the highest score is en-
titled to first choice of prize. and the other
competitors in regular order, according to
the scores, until the prizes are exhausted.
Company Team Match.
The second event of the program today
was the company team match, open to
teams Of five from any company in the Dis
trict National Guard The distance was
200 yards. ten shots per man. The prize Is
a suitable trophy to become the property OF
the company winning it. and IS in cash.
There Is e. second prize Of So and a third
prize Of s. Teams representing the follow
Ing organizations entered: Company B. 1st
Battalion: Company D. 4th Battalion: Com
pany A, I'd Battalion; Company A. Sd Bat
talon; Company A, 4th Battalion; Com
pany c, 4th Battalion; Company c, 9Th
Battalion; Company A, 9Th Battalion; Com
pany c, 9th Battalion: Company B, LIST Bat
talon, and Company D. I'd Battalion.
The battalion team match, the third event
Of today. was open to teams OF six from
any battalion Of the District National
Guard. It was stipulated that each COM
pany Of the battalion should be represented
on the team. The distance was 800 yards,
ten shots per man. The first prize is a suit
able trophy. which becomes the property OF
the battalion winning 1t, and s. in cash.
There Is second prize Of 81 and a third
prize of W. The LIST. Sd and 4th Battalions
were reDreSent ed in the contest