The San Francisco call., 1904-07-23
RIFLE PRACTICE
IS TERMINATED
Competition Is Held to De-
termine the Gunmen Who
Will Contest at Monterey
VAN VLIET SHOOTS WELL
Does Some Remarkable Work
at the Different Ranges
and Takes First HOnOrs

The rife practice which has just
terminated at the Rodeo range re-
suited in Major Robert c. Van Vliet
carrying away the record laurels with
Privates Cornett and Cox of the Tenth
Infantry close seconds.
The practice has been going on for
ten days and has been participated in
by seventy-six men, who were chosen
because they represented the best shots
from each company of infantry and
cavalry here. This practice was to
decide which men shall represent their
companies at the division shoot at
Monterey, which begins on Monday,
July 25. In the contest at Rodeo there
were forty-eight men of the Thir-
teenth Infantry, twelve men of the
Tenth Infantry, men of the Twenty
eighth Infantry and men of the
Ninth Cavalry. Major Van Vliet was
in charge. The others that officiated
were: Captain James. T. Bean and
Lieutenant G. c. Rockwell of the
Tenth Infantry; Lieutenants w. 7.
Patten, S. J. Sutherland and NJ. A.
Wells of the Thirteenth Infantry. and
Lieutenant W. II. Patterson of the
Twenty-eighth Infantry.
The shooting was of fair order and
consisted of going over the marks
mans course twice for practice and
once as a record, from which latter
the selections were made.
The official programme of the shoot
ing was as follows: At 200, 800, 500
and 500 yards, slow fire, ten shots at
each; 200 and 800 yards. rapid fire
ten shots at each in twenty seconds,
and two skirmish runs of twenty shots
each from 200 to 500 yards
Major Van Vliet did some very un-
usual work. He made 100 per cent
at 800 yards, rapid fire, and As out
of possible so at 200 yards in twenty
seconds, rapid fire. The result of the
second shoot was as follows: Major
Van Vliet, 362 points; Privates Cor
nett and Cox, each 357 points.
The selected men will leave for the
competition at Monterey at o'clock
this morning. The following officers
will go as competitors in the COM
petition:
Major Robert c. Van Vliet, Tenth Infantry,
distinguished marksman; Captain James 7
Dean Tenth Infantry: Second Lieutenant
George e. Rockwell Tenth Infantry: Second
Lieutenant Samuel J. Sutherland. Thirteenth
Wells. Thirteenth Infantry: First Lieutenant
Charles E. Reese. Fifteenth Infantry; Second
Lieutenant John F. Clapham. Fifteenth In
fantry: First Lieutenant William H. Patterson,
1'wenty-eighth Infantry; First Lieutenant
Frank c. Baker. Medical Department
Pistol competition-First Lieutenant Ray
mond ". Briggs. Coast Artillery: First Lieu
tenant James G. Hannah. Tenth Infantry;
Captain Frank NJ. Savage, quartermaster.
Fifteenth Infantry.
The trial of Lieutenant George S.
Richards Jr., accused of duplicating
his pay accounts while in Manila, was
resumed at the Preside yesterday. 1t
began last March and has been taken
up from time TO time as fast as docu-
mentary evidence has been received.
The attention of the court was taken
up yesterday with evidence of this
description. It will be a hard fought
case. Richards was in court, attended
by his attorney, r. L. Hathorn. Col
onel William L. Pitcher is president of
the board and Captain John J. Brad
ley is judge advocate. 1t is not ex-
pected that the court-martial will be
able to get in all the evidence so it
will be able to come to a verdict be-
fore the latter part of August or early
in September.
Major Frank E. Hobbs, command
ing officer at Benicia Arsenal, who ar
rived at his new post July Is, paid his
first official call on General Macarthur
yesterday.