The Washington times., 1903-11-01
New Material for Future
Matches Developed in
District Guardsmen's Con-
test at Ordway Range.
GLORY AND MEDALS
FOR LOCAL SHOOTERS
Triumph Over Regulars and
Marylanders by Good
ScoreS-The Indoor Rifle
Range Opens December 1.

way Range Monday morning and ended
after dark Thursday evening. was the
most successful affair of it's kind ever
held uEder the auspices OF the organiza-
ton
The District militiamen covered them
selves with glory and medals and won
all sorts of cash prizes. The Engineer
Corps from the Washington Barracks
made an excellent showing. The Mary
landers were unlucky while the repre-
sentatives of the Second Cavalry from
Fort Nyer and the Marine Corps were
conspicuous because OF their absence
Never have so many new men beer
seen in the annual competition, and
never have the Fieemen run into such
disagreeable weather that which pre-
vailed throughout the meet. The num-
Der Of Visiting rifiemen was not large
but those who did enter the contest
made Il interesting for the National
Guardsmen.
Having recently y been ordered to their
own range at Lessburg Va. TO complete
their Official scor res IN order to qualify
as marSsmen or sharpshooters, the Sec
ond Cavalry meA were unable to take
part in the competition at Ordway. The
Marine Corps officers assign no reason
for -sot entering a team as in previous
meetings. of the local rife association.
Shooting Affected by Weather.
The twenty-one events on the card
were all interesting, but not exciting.
Because Of the high wind and the bit
ing cold, the shooting on the first two
Gays was far below the average, but
on the last two days the scores were
much better. The warm sunshine and
southern breezes put new life into the
men. and as they could hold their rifles
without their teeth rafting, their hands
shaking. and their fingers almost freez-
ing. they naturally did better work.
The work Of the first two days was
anything but encouraging. 1t was feared
the lnen would lose more by being on
the range in that sort OF weather than
they would profit.
Major James z. Bell. Inspector Cen
eral Of Rife Practice Of the Guards. un-
der whose supervision the meet was
held, was well pleased with the results
of the four days shooting. The Dis
trict boys won all OF the first prizes
and lost only onS second.
Darkness had descended when the
Harres long range. 500. 800 and 1.OOC
yards. was shot. Instead Of firing ten
at each distance. the Guardsmen fred
only Ave at the two first named targets,
and the I,ooO-yards was eliminated en-
tirely.
VIII Hurry the Medals.
The officers have been ordered to have
the scores OF the men under their com.
Dand who participated in the meet ar
headquarters by November s. Majol
Bell wishes TO ascertain as soon as pos
sible thc number Of insignia for the
men who qualified as marksmen, sharu-
shooters, or experts. These insignia
come from the War Department. and
Major Bel has to make requisition for
them he wishes to send in his report
Of the meet as early as possible, so
tnat the War Department Will take
prompt action.
The merchants of the city, who con-
tributed 50 libcraIly to the prize lists.
have formally sigaihed their intention OF
stvins the prizes. The awards are not
IN hand yet, and Major Bell viii have
70 spend some time IN calling upon the
merchants and collecting the prizes
IL Is planned 70 award the prizes and
insignia 10 the men on the evening OF
November 25, in the National Guard Ar
mOry, over Centre Market. Last year
Assistant Secretary Of War Sanger
awarded the prizes. General Harries
viii make the presentations this year.
The indoor rifle range will be open
for official shooting &fter December !.
It has been open for several weeks al
ready. and is SIN open. for volunteer
practice. the mcE paying for their own
amm@nition as they use il.
Coed Material
Major Bell hopes "a deveIop some
crack shots out OF the nc7v material on
the range during the recent meet. The
officers OF the various commands have
received special instructions 10 eneour-
age practice among the men.
Next year at Sea Cirt and other places
there viii be need for number of new
rinemen 4 War Department officials de-
eide 70 enforce the regulation restrict
inG one clique or set Of men from rep
resent.sig an organization year in and
year out. That regulation would be
q hardship on the local citizen soIdiery
were IL not for the fact that Major
Bell already sees the material for the
building up Of some clever shots
First Lieut.. Henry F. Marshall, Light
Battery artillery. n. G. y. @, has re-
ceived a cash prize from Gen Bird
Spencer, who had charge of the Sea Girt
meet in September. Lieutenant Marshall
is an experienced soldier and a steady
shot. re refuses 10 say exactly what
amount he received from General
Spencer.
In order 10 encourage the men in the
battery, Lieutenant Marshall purposes
TO offer two gold medals next year, one
for the best rthcman IN the organization
and the other for the most expert re-
voiver shot. The winners Of the prizes
will hold the championships of the bat
tery for one year when the medals will !
go up for competition again.
Trying to Get Back Pay.
The District men who went 10 Sea C;!rt
70 shoot have received no compensation
for tie twelve DAYS service there. The /
entire contingent Of rideInen have De.
cided 10 take the matter before the
Auditor for the War Department and the |