The Washington times., 1902-07-20
u. S. Regulars and Ma
tional GuardSmen Will
Measure Skill
DISTRICT TEAMS ENTERED
President Roosevelt May Attend-West
Point Cadets Cannot Participate
Many States to Be Represented in
Tourney.
Especial to The Washington Timcs.)

est 6nOOt IN tnc uiStoiy VI lhc -Noe'SAs.
and the New Jersey Rife Associations
is In prospect for August 2a to Septem
Der ). inclusive. on the Sea Girt range
when the United States Association Will
hold It's third tournament.
There will be no Irish team or Can
adiaa team here to stir up national
pride this year, but there will be more
States represented than at any previous
American shoot, and, most important OF
all, this year for the first time the Unit
ed States Army enters the lists against
the militia and private citizen shots.
Three Branches to Compete.
For several years the National Rife
Association has tried to induce the army
to get into the matches. This time
the Department OF the East will be rep
resented by an infantry, cavalry, and
artillery team, and 1t Is expected that
there will be entries from other depart
ments.
Adjutant General 'Corbin has notified
Gen. Bird W. Spencer, the president Of
the National Association, and the ex-
ecutive officer of the shoot. that the de-
partment matches will be held early
enough this year for the picked teams
to compete at Sea Girt.
The presence of the regulars will.
OF course. create a good deal Of enthus-
iasm all round, introducing a new ele-
ment into the competition, whicn has
heretofore been between the militia
teams only.
other attraction at the tournament. The
officials of the association feel that 1t
would be eminently fitting for the Presi-
dent to present the prizes the last af-
ternoon Of the shoot. To induce him
to come, the association Will send dele
CATION to Oyster Bay. II he accepts the
New Jersey National Guards invitation
to review the encampment next Thurs
day, the ri1emen intend to nail him
there for the shoot.
Cadets Cannot Participate.
The War Department. however, has
displeased the association in one mat
ranged for this year was that between
teams representing the Annapolis and
West Point academies. But Adjutant
General Corbin has written General
Spencer that he doesn't think such a
contest can be arranged. The reason he
gives is stated as follows:
II am sorry to discourage your sug
gestion as to the cadets from West
Point; but the course OF study there is of
such character that 1t will not permit
of this diversion
The rife association officials are ask
Ing why it is that the West Point boys
haven't time for rife shooting-a thing
quite In line with their workout are
allowed the diversion of boat racing and
football games.
Ten States will have teams in the
tournament this year. illinois will be a
newcomer. For the first time in good
many years Massachusetts, will have a
reorganized State team here, the can
didates for which are practicing at the
Walnut Hill range. The Bag State will
send a large delegation, including a reg
mental, a revolver and company team,
besides the State team. Missouri is ar
ranging to come-a new element at Sea
Girt. Capt. Orrie E. Lee. J. 2. p. writes
that he has fast team and that money
only is needed to land IL at the Jersey
butts
Georgians to Appear.
That the Georgians are going to re-
sumo fellowship with Sea Girt. is. next
to the entry of the regular army. the
most interesting fact in the entry list
The Georgians. it will be remembered.
left the range In huff In 1899 when the
Jerseymen Unexpectedly thrashed them
brilliantly at 200 yards in the Hilton
trophy match. which the Southerners
lad won repeatedly They alleged cheat
ing ty the markers In the 100o-yard pit.
The Washington and the other teams
discredited the charges. which were
made by only one or two of the Sa
vannah contingent. the Atlanta mem
bers of the team refusing to back their
associates General Spencer ordered a
thorough examination CT the evidence.
which was thrashed over the following
winter in the cfiice of Root. Howard,
Winthrop & Simpson New York, where.
the attorney for the Savannah pro-
testers acknowledged they had no case.
The rifiemen Of the Governors Horse
Guards of Atlanta tried to get them
selves reorganized last year as a State
team. but failed. Now. so Capt. George
NJ. Hope wrote Secretary Jones yester-
day, they are making special efforts
to get here.
New York Enters.
New York will. as usual. be here in
force with State team to waylay the
Washingtonians. victorious last year in
both the Hilton trophy and the inter
state military match. There are en-
tered regimentaI teams from the Sew
enth. Twelfth. Twenty third. Seventy
first. and seventy-fourth. and Squadron |
A will be represented by revolver |
and carbine team.
New Jersey is strenuously erdeavor |
Ing to regain the place she took in 1899. |
In addition to the State team, each of
the five regiments will have a team |
and the Essex Troop, Of Newark. will |
be represented by a revolver and a car
binc team.
Pennsylvania. which had team here |
In 1901 for the frst time in nearly a |
decade. will send a large delegation-a |
State team, regimental teams from the /
First. Second. Sixth. and Thirteenth |
regiments. and carbine and revolver
cams from the Philadelphia City Troop |