Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18
NEWS OF THE LOCAL
NATIONAL GUARDSMEN

from Oklahoma. Utah. Arizona, Wyoming
and other of the states where the Ma
tionai Guard is numerically weak are
selected from a few hundred men whose
instruction and opportunity to practice
are necessarily limited. In many cases
the states do not possess ranges longer
than GEO yards, and yet their teams are
compelled to shoot against the cracks of
the army, navy. Marine Corps and Of
such states as Massachusetts,. New Jer-
Sey and Ohio, all OF which are equipped
with excellent ranges.
The National Guard is as whole
willing and anxious to try conclusions
with the army and other service teams,
but there is a growing desire TO see con-
ditions adjusted so that the weaker states
will have a better chance. Among the
suggestions advanced is that two prizes
shall be set aside for the service teams
and that four prizes shall be distributed
to the National Guard teams, all to shoot
at the same time and place and under
similar conditions 1t is understood that
this plan is followed in English matches.
where the volunteers are not expected to
cope with the regulars, or the reserves
with either the volunteers or regulars
Another plan provides for dividing the
contestants into three divisions. the first
two to consist of seventeen teams each
and the third of the remainder At Camp
Perry. Ohio, this year there Were fifty
teams of twelve men each entered in the
National match, representing fort y-five
states and territories. the army, navy and
Marine Corps and the Naval Academy.
Under the proposed scheme the first
seventeen teams would be entered next
summer in the first division. the next
seventeen in the second division and the
remaining sixteen, with all new entries,
in the third division. Prizes would be Of
fered in each division, and there would be
a constant struggle among the teams in
each division and OF the lower teams to
get from the third into the second or the
second into the first division.
X X
President Roosevelt has again given
evidence of his interest in rifle practice by
writing letters to Sergt. \. Brest of the
18th United States Infantry, Lieut.. A. d.
Rothrock. Ohio National Guard. and to
Lieut.. S. A. Harris. 14th United States
Infantry. congratulat!ng them or win
ming the Presidents match, the National
Individual match and the military cham
pionship. respectively. at the recent ma
tional rifle matches at Camp Perry. Ohio.
The Presidents match is shot under the
rules of the National Individual match,
and the man making the highest COM
b;ned score wins the military champion
ship.
AS officers above the rank of captain
We're excluded from the national matches
this year by the wording OF the appro-
priation act. the language Of President
Roosevelt to Lieut.. Rothrock and Lieut..
Harris is significant. To the former he
said in part: 1T is true that an
officer you would not be required in serv-
ice to use 4 rifle; but your men must all
know how to shoot or they are useless
on the battle line: and you could not
properly teach them how to shoot unless
you had the practical knowledge which
only a high-class shot can possess"
To Lieut.. Harris he wrote, in part: ct
is with special qualification / write this
letter to you. Every officer CT our army
should know how to shoot the rifle. Espe-
c:allv is this true of those officers who
serve with infantry and cavalry
The Military Basket Ball League or
ganized last Friday evening is expected
to be one of the best features ever
launched in the District Officers of the
regular service at Fort Myer. Washing
ton Barracks and Marine Barracks are
taking an interest in the matter
The following teams Will be in the
leagu Corccran Cadet Corps, Ureu
Rifles and LIST Battalion, 1st Regiment.
\. q. ID. c.; Fort Myer Field Battery.
the Marines and United States Engineers.
Company f, 1st Regiment. has arranged
for a smoker. to be given in the company
quarters Friday October so. The attend
ance at the first drill of the season last
Monday was gratifying to the officers.
1t is announced that the basket ball
team To represent the organization Will be