The Washington times., 1906-07-15

that which took place on this same
range in September Of last year. Teams
representing most every. State and pos
session of the United States We're gath
cred there The Hawaiian National
Guard and that from Porto Rico were
found lined up before the targets, both
making a very fair showing when the
facilities for practice for the event were
taken into consideration
Teams from States making no preten-
sion to skill In the rife shooting frater-
hity were there-few of them having any
expectation other than that of seeing
how the thing was dOne-and learning
from the experience gained by rubbing
Up against the big fellows from New
York, the army, and Ohio.
Money Well Spent.
II cost much money 10 transport those
teams 10 and from Sea Girt, but there
was not a dollar wasted. 1t did the
country more good in the way of edu-
eating our young men how TO shoot and
building up an army of sharpshooters
than could have been accomplished in a
decade of ordinary training.
The meeting this year is expected 10
show some OF the results Of what was
learned last season and the fact that
Congress has made the crowning stroke
the most wise appropriation OF an ad-
ditional million OF dollars 10 the Dick
bill-hcs raised a whirlwind Of enthu-
slasm which every one hopes viii result
in making us a nation of shaUp shooters.
That which is accomplished I'm the pres
ent tournament VIII stand as an evi-
dence Of the progress due 90 Uncle Sam
having taken a hand in building up this
buIwark upon which he may securely
rely in case of need.
Busy Selecting Teams
The work of team building is now in
fun blast. New York won from the
Army by a narrow margin last year
New York and Ohio have both deter
mined TO carry of the national trophy
this time. Others are making prapara-
tons 70 the same end, but none more
thoroughly and systematically than the
teams from the regular establishments.
They are all in camp on the ranges and
have been for the past two months,
studying every phase of the fine points
in grooming adverse conditions of
light and wind. On the mastery of these
points rests victory or defeat
The New Workers are famous for their
ability 10 tuggle wind and mirage. and
20 this they attribute their frequent vic
tories Their team members shoot all
Wintc~ and keep In touch with every
character OF change met IN the cXper-
ience OF rihemen on the range. The
team that does not have an equal oppor-
tunity. may, by striking ideal condi-
tions, come In a winner but such occur
Tences are rare.
District Is Hopeful.
The team from the District or Column
bia is hard at work. and doing fairly
we'll, and some of its members have high
hopes Of being up in the bunch of win
ners, but from the fact that they will
not likely have the time that many other
Of the State teams have for practice. it
IS hardly lair to expect them "a forge
10 the front and be able TO overcome the
training Of the more fortunately sit
uated marksmen-
Nothing but an accident or rather, a
mistake in judgment. prevented the Dis
trict team from being among the win
ners last season. The team voted to
man to run the last skirmish IN the
afternoon. when the sun was almost
down and the stlhouettes were hardly dis
cernable. rather than risk the follow
ing morning for finishing its score. No
one doubts. who is familiar with the
subject the fact that to have waited
until next morning would have resulted
in sufficient points TO the team's ad-
vantage 10 have placed 1t in fifth place.
That's the way rife victories are won
and lost-chance.
All on Same Footing.
The arrangements for the shoot at
Sea Girt this year are such as to place
ell of the teams on very nearly the
same footing as regards chance. Con-
sequently we look and hope for the
best. The officers and men who consti-
tute the team have been in practice-at
odd timas-since the range opened on
May /, and no doubt much in the way
of the fine points Of long range work
has been pretty well mastered.
Only twice have the men praticed as
a team. and both times the scores We're
much larger than those made In the
national match of last year. New
rifles have been provided and the same
kind of ammunition as that which is
TO be issued In the matches Is being
fired In practice
The plan adopted in practice is a radi-
cal departure from the old system
where a coach was provided TO direct
the shooting. The rules of the national
match permit no communication with
the men after they commence their
score, consequently the two who are
shooting partners. II they expect 10
make good scores. must be thoroughly
in accord. understanding each other s
peculiarities and be able TO coach and
keep themselves on the target.
Lisr of Events
The first match in which the Brigade
team viii shoot is the Dryden trophy.
The eight strongest team members will
be selected for this contest which takes
place Saturday. September /. The dis
tances are 200 500 and IOO0 yards, ten
shots per man at each distance. Sew
eral companies Of the Guard have sig
nified their intention 10 enter teams in
the company match. which takes place
Monday. August 27;. also in the COM
pany tyro match of Wednesday. August
- The regimental sNirnish match of
Thursday August 30, VIII have az least
one team from the District ef COlum-
hia. as well as the regimental team
match OF Friday, August 81
as aHHnmar