New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-01
RIFLE MATCH CHANGES.
Shooting Trophies Easier to Obtain
Under Ne5c Classification.

Washington. Jan. 31.-since the action OF the Ma
tional Board for Promotion OF Rife Practice In
making such sweeping changes in the conditions
FOR the national match the rife world has been
earnestly discussing the probable effect the changes
made viii have on this event. The National Match
was established by Congress in 1903. and a mag
nIhcent trophy provided Tor It. to which the
National Rifle Association added the Hilton Trophy
and the Soldier Of Marathon. Congress annually
appropriates the money for the prizes which
company the trophies and the match Is shot under
the direction OF the War Department
Each state and territory and each branch Of Ths
regular service is entitled to representation by a
team of twelve shooting members. together with
coaches, range officers substitutes. etc. Last year
there we're fifty competing teams. and the
vices of approximately one hundred army officers
and seven hundred enlisted men were required 10
handle the match. Heretofore there have been six
prizes. which went to the leading six teams, but
this year the National Board, with the approval Of
the Secretary OF War. has decided to change the
rules so as TO make three great contests In one.
For this purpose the teams will be divided into
three divisions their record Al Camp Perry last
yesr.
The prize for the first division will be the Ma
tional Trophy. for the second division the Hilton
Trophy aud for the third the Soldier Of Marathon
In addition to which there viii be three or four
money prizes IN each division All teams will be
eligible TO win the National Trophy. but only the
teams IN the second and third divisions will b7
eligible to win the Hilton Trophy. while none
cept teams IN the third division can win the
Soldier y Marathon. The ruls viii probably
be applied 10 the money prizes. that the teams
in the third division compete for any OF the
przes offered thoce in the second division will be
restricted 70 the prizes for the second and first
divisions while the in the first division will
be eligible for only the prizes IN that division
II the PLANS laid down carried through there
will be about S4500 prize money for this match
the prizes being graded downward, . that the
highest prizes for the second and third divisions
viii be slightly less than the lowest prizes for
the first and second divisions, respectively The
prize money last year amounted 10 only Ss15- In
addition the members OF the winning teams will
receive appropriate medals.
This action of the board cannot fail 10 hesrtsn
those states which for reason or another have
fstr that they were out Of the before they
started Under the plan no team will be as
sured OF & trophy prize until the last shot in
the match is fred, and the increased prize money
and chances should have stimulating effect
the preliminary practice as well the match.
For years the allegation has been made by the
manufacturers OF ammunition, and by many
r1arksnen that the government ammunition is
inferior 10 the private product. For the 1919
matches the ordnance department viii invite pro
posals from each ammunition company to furnish
million rounds under certain specifications,
snong them being one that the ammunition must
he machine loaded. The ordnance department
will also manufacture a million rounds under sim
liar specifications An exhaustive test will be held
in the sDrInE and the ammunition which is ad-
Judged TO be the best will be adopted, whether Of
private or government manufacture, and will be
issued for preliminary practice. as well as Tor
the match.