Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-14
RIFLE PRIZE MONEY
DISTRICT TEAM AND GEN. HAIR
RIEs DIFFER IN OPINION.
Guardsmen Think Money Belongs to
Them, but Their Commander
Doesn't-The Act.

Outstanding exists among the members OF
the rife team Of the District National
Guard and Gen. George II. Harries. the
brigade commander, as to the distribution
Of the sum Of $3.50. won by the rfdemen at
Sea Girt last week. The marksmen claim
that the money is their property and Gen.
Harries asserts that the cash belongs 10
the District and not to the guardsmen.
The breach created between the men and
their commanding officer through these two
views of the situation may have serious
effect on rifle practice in the District In the
future.
gress passed last January national trophy
was established, and national board ap-
pointed to make regulations regarding the
trophy.
This board, after consultation with the Of
ficers of the National Rifle Association of
America decided that this year the national
trophy match should be shot at Sea Girt.
The big prizes that have been heretofore
grouped in the national trophy match as
second and third prizes, the Hilton trophy
being the former and the Soldier Of Mara
thOn the latter.
In addition to these trophies the board de-
cided that certain amount Of cash>should
be given to the winners Of the match. in &C.
cordance with the provisions of the act
creating the board The bill is very short
and provides that for the purpose of fur
nishing a national trophy and medals and
other prizes to be provided and contested
for annually in conteststO be open to the
army, navy marine corps and National
Guard, and for the payment Of the neces-
sary expense Of such competitions. includ-
ing the subsistence Of the competing teams,
$4,000 was appropriated.
The representatives Of the District who
attended the competitions at Sea Girt won
the fourth prize in the national trophy
match and the second prize in the Dryden
trophy match. the cash for these prizes
amounting to $3.50 In the national match
Mai 7 CHnf1fOvl0 10Th limited Statoa
Cavalry. inspector of small arms practice
In the regular army, was the custodian Of
the funds.
When the prizes were distributed Major
Guilfoyle provided each team captain with
paper on which were required thirteen
signatures. those Of the team captain and
the twelve members Of the team. in which
each certified as to the winning Of the prize
and the turning over of the money. In
the case Of the District representatives
Major Guilfoyle turned the money over to
Major Bell. who placed 1t in the hands Of
General Hairless General Harries also re-
ceived the paper for the signatures.
The transfer of the money to the team
will not be strictly according to the regu-
lations Of the War Department If the paper
Is not returned to Major Guilfoyle signed
and made out In proper form. The mem
bers of the team. or some of them at least,
have declared that they will not sign the
paper until they have received the money.
They do not think the District Is entitled
to any share Of it at all, and contend that
they owe the District nothing for the work
they did on the ranges.
They will refuse absolutely to sign the
paper until they have received their share
of the money.
1.-THE member: of the brigade teams will
not get cent Of that money" said Gen.
Harrfes this afternoon, when questioned re-
garding the disposition to be made of 1t, by
Star reporter. 1.-THE District paid their
expenses to and from Sea Grit 1t subsist-
ed them whilo there and it paid for their
training. They will not receive the money"
When questioned as to what will be done
with the money General Harries said he
did not care to say, and further said that
he would not be catechised by his men, as
the question had been put as though the
members of the team had wanted to know.
None of the members OF the brigade team
would discuss the situation, when General
Hairless position became known to them.
Major James e. Bell. the author Of the ma
tiOnal trophy bill. refused to make any
statement whatever when questioned re-
garding the matter.
1t Is understood and believed, however.
that the guardsmen are surprised at the
action OF Gen. Harries. as 1t was generally
understood that the money was to be dis
tributed among the men. This line of ac-
ton was taken with all the state teams and
with the army teams.
1t is pointed out that the District did not
pay the expenses Of the members of the
brigade team In the national trophy match.
the members were furnished by the national
government, out Of the $4,000 appropria-
ton made for the purpose. Nothing can
be done until General Harries Is approached
in an Official manner regarding the money
and its disposition.