Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-03
DISTRICT MEN At
SEA GRIT RANGE
Representatives Among 278 in
Presidents Match.
FEATURE OF THE MEETING
Rifemen on Hand Early Today for
Shooting.
NATIONAL CONTEST TOMORROW
Washingtonians Are Conserving Their
Strength for the Leading Event
Of the Tourney.
AT1oNAL CONTEST TOMORROW

Of the Tourney.
Special From q Staf Correspondent.
STATE CAMP. SEAGIRT. N. J.. Septem-
Der 3.-Lieut. Col. Reichelderfer, Maj.
Young. Capt. Cookson and Capt Magruder
are the representatives of the District of
Columbia among the 27s competitors in the
Presidents match for the military cham
pionship of the United States, in progress
here today.
This contest is regarded as the principal
individual match OF the meeting. excepting
Of course, the national Individual match.
The rifemen were at the firing line at an
early hour this morning the contest OPEN
ing at 8 o'clock.
It is regarded as likely that the skirmish
run will have to be eliminated in order to
finish the event today, so that the national
team match may be started tomorrow
morning.
With the exception of the quartet men
toned, all the members Of the District de-
tachment are remaining close to their tents
resting for the arduous work of the next
few days in the national matches. The
Washingtonians intend to be In the best
physical condition Tor the leadlnS event u
the tournament.
The weather conditions here are again
uncertain. The morning was threatened
and rain fell at intervals. but not with
sufficient force or regularity to Interfere
with the work before the targets.
Resting for National Match.
The District riflemen devoted yesterday.
perfect day, to resting. Major Bell is re-
quiring the members of his party, especially
those connected with the brigade rife team.
to remain close to camp, In order that ev-
erybody may be in the best possible con-
dition, physically. for participation in the
national team match. to begin tomorrow
morning and be in progress two days. The
air is cool and bracing and at least two
retiring at night. Everything is calm and
peaceful throughout the big camp, for all
have the same object in view. In order to
shoot well the rifemen must sleep well. so
the early-to-bed rule Is general and no one
attempts to disturb the rest of others.
Every member Of the District party is
greatly encouraged by reason of the sue
cess of the District team in the Dryden
trophy match, concluded late Saturday
For a reason that has not been explained
representatives of the District failed to
make anything like creditable showing in
the competitions the early part of last
week. All were Respondent Friday night,
the feeling being that the team entered in
the Dryden match would also trail along
among the rear guard.
Exhilarating Improvement.
The Washingtonians. however. braced up
at the start of the match Saturday morn
ing in a manner that was exhilarating.
Not only did the District team lead all the
other competitors at the conclusion of the
firing at the 200 yards stage. but mem
Der of the District team had the highest
total Of any Of the 1874 men shooting. The
lead was maintained through the 900 yards
stage, and hope Of landing the trophy ran
high. The Jerseymen, however. did mag
nificent work at 1000 yards and won out.
But, under the circumstances, the District
was eminently satisfied with second prize.
in view of the fact that such teams as those
of New York. the thrice champions in the
national competition, and Ohio were we'll
down on the list.
An unfortunate feature of the Dryden
match was the circulation of rumors that
dishonesty had been practiced by more
full investigation failed to disclose that the
rumors were based on anything that even
remotely resembled fact. For time, how
ever, 1t was feared that the regrettable in
cident In which two teams competing here
several years ago figured, and which resulted
in a long drawn-out hearing, the taking of
testimony, and much bad feeling, might be
repeated.
Next Big Meet in the West.
The spirited meeting Of the National
Rifle Association Of America, held here last
Thursday night, was of interest for sew
eral reasons, one being that it was clearly
indicated that the next big military shoot
ing tournament will not be held on the Sea
Girt range. 1t is regarded as practically
certainty that Ohio will ask for the ma
tional matches and the matches of the Ma
fional Rifle Association of America of 1907
and the request will undoubtedly be grant
ed.
A resolution was adopted at the meeting
Of the directors of the National Rifle Asso-
citation, held in Washington last January,
setting forth that 1t was the sense of the
directors Of the organization that the an
nual shoot of the association be held at the
same place and just prior to the national
matches"
Assembled here are larger number of
rif1emen from all sections Of
the United States than on any previous
similar occasion. 1t Is pointed out that the
holding of the national matches and those
Of the National Rifle Association on the
same range and closely following one an
other has proved to be most desirable and
will undoubtedly be the rule hereafter
The rifiemen naturally are discussing the
range facilities that will be available for
the competitions next year. Sea Girt has
well fulfilled its purpose, but. it is ex-
planned the increase of interest in rife
shooting In other sections of the country
Is marked. and adequate ranges are pro-
posed in several localities.
New Ohio Range Described.
An officer of the Ohio detachment now
here, in speaking of the new Ohio range
whereon the Buckeye state experts hope
the big meet will be held next year. said:
THE Ohio legislature last winter appro-
priated $4,000 for the purchase and Inn
provement Of a state rifle range and samp
ground. The military department searched |
the state over for an available place where |
a permanent range could be constructed |
without the danger Of being ehjoined. We
finally selected a place on the southern
shore Of Lake Erie. about forty-five miles
east Of Toledo. on the line Of the Lake |
Shore railway. near the station La Carne
1.-THE tract is more than q mile long, ex-
tending south from the Lake Shore, and is |
mile wide. Immediately adjoining
the tract Is about thirty acres purchased |
by the Ohio State Rifle Association and the |
Ohio National Guard Association, on which |
will be erected commodious club house.
Nature Of Improvements.
1.-THE plans for the range contemplate
erecting parapets for 200 600 and 800 yards, |
to accommodate fifty targets at each para
pet. In addition to this there will be four |
revolver ranges with ten targets at each