The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-18
Candidates for Place in IN
ternatiOnaI Match.
CONTEST FOR PALMA TROPHY
Major Young, Lieutenant Farrow, and
Private Cook Striving to Uphold
Capitals Supremacy.

At Sea Grit. n. J., the Mecca for
rthemen of the United States army,
navy, marines. and National Guards
men, three men representing the mill
Tia OF the District of Columbia Will to-
day contest for positions on the Ameri-
can rifle team which Will shoot at Bis
ley. England, on July Il for the Palma
Trophy. The board Of army officers
which will select the best twelve rifle
men TO compete for the trophy will use
the utmost care in picking the men. The
team must be a winner, for the English
rifemen now, have an American trophy
IN their possession. The Yankees do not
think it strange when English trophies
are won by Americans and brought TO
this country. but when 1t comes to TAX
ing an American prize across the
pond it is something altogether DIFF
ferent, and therefore every effort will be
made to wrest the prize from the red
coats on July Il.
Washington in Front Rank
AS the team must be the best posi-
BILE, the positions on it must be award
ed to the best marksmen in this coun-
try. The officials have decided, there
fore, to choose the dozen men from the
army, navy, Marine Corps, and the Ma
tional Guard of the different States and
Territories. There are number of ex-
cellent shots in the Marine Corps and
at the different army posts. The navy
mas large number, while the National
Guard is said to have more experts.
marksmen, and sharpshooters than any
other branch of the American forces
which Will strive for positions.
Principal among the National Guard
organizations to boast of its rifiemen
and their craftsmanship, Is that OF the
District OF Columbia. It's representatives
have long since established record for
themselves, and the shooting contingent
of the American army, navy and ma
rines. and every year at the meetings
of the National Rifle Association not a
few OF the prizes are awarded to Wash
ington men. Major James E Bell. in
spector general of rife practice of the
local citizen soldiery, is commended for
his excellent work. and the shooting of
the men who have been trained by him
a 1r1o or SharpshoOterS.
When it was announced the American
team would go over to Bisley in July,
Major Bell Immediately began to in
struct his men. and now believes one or
more OF the positions on the team Will
be awarded to District of Columbia
Guardsmen.
The three local miIitiamen who went
n H.
Young, Lieut.. W. NJ Farrow. and PrI-
Fate George z. Cook These three men
appear as the best marksmen the local
soldiery has ever produced They have
literally swept everything before them in
almost all OF the matches in which they
have participated. and Major Bell firm
y believes Washington will be sure to
have representative at Bisley. The
men will be given trials at Sea Grit to-
day. and after all of the contestants
have shot their scores, the board of Of
fcers Will announce the names of the
successful candidates. Wednesday will
be the last day for the trials, and 1t is
expected the names will be announced
by Saturday.
Conditions Of the Shoot.
The conditions governing the trials
for places are as follows:
Fifteen shots will be fired on each
day at each of the three ranges. 300, 300
and 1000 yards. The shooting at 500
yards Will be before lunch and as near
as possible to 1870 a. m Shooting
at 800 and 1000 yards Will begin, first
stage. at D. N. and continue immedi-
ately thereafter at 1000 yards.
Each competitor will fire two sighting
shots. and no more. before beginning
his score of fifteen shots.
Scores will be made on official score
sheets furnished by the secretary. and
must be certified at each range by the
officer in charge.
The committee appointed by the presi-
dent of the national board for the pro-
motion Of rife practice VIII meet imme-
diateIy after dinner on the goth for the
purpose OF selecting the team.
The announcement OF those selected to
comprise the team VIII be made, If pos
sIbie. on the evening OF the goth. SO
that those failing to make places on the
team may leave for their homes as soon
thereafter as they desire.
Assignments TO targets will be by lot,
and the competitors viii be squadded in
numerical order from right to left of
range.
No coaching will be allowed.
Warship to Garry Them.
The Palma trophy is a massive bronze
shield with an elaborate design in
bold relief upon It, Several years ago
it was put up for competition. and
teams representing England, ireland
Scotland. Canada, and the United States
contested for 1t. The Americans won IT
the first year and a year or two after
that, but two years ago the Canadians
won it. The Englishmen in turn won
1T from the Canadians. and the Ameri
cans must now cross the briny deep and
strive to wrest the much coveted trophy