The Washington times., 1910-10-06
Teams From Maryland and
New Jersey Fail to Put
In Appearance.
SHOOTING GOES ON
UNDER HANDICAPS
Complaint Made BY Farmers That
District Sharpshooters Are
EndangeTing Lives.

: The rife teams from Maryland and
New Jersey. billed TO compete with
the team representing the District
National Guard, failed 10 show up this
morning at the rife range at Con-
gress Heights.
In addition 10 these absentees from
the contest. which is expected to be
one Of the best ever held by the Dis
trict National Guard. the Army and
Navy Corps team was prevented from
attending the match. owing 10 its
having been detailed to duty else
where. Gen. James Z. Bell, acting
inspector Of small arms practice, made
this announcement this morning.
N the practice that was held this
morning. much shooting was done.
and a complaint was made by Mary
land farmers that their lives and the
lives OF their cattle were endangered
by the bullets which went over the
targets Some Of these farmers said
they would submit a petition 10 the
governor Of Maryland asking that the
practice be stopped. The guardsmen
claim that their bullets are not en-
dangering anybody.
Officers Expected.
Assistant secretary OF " ar yOAu
Oliver, and Captain Beatty, command
ant Of the navy yard. and Lieutenant
Bowman, representing the officers OF
Forty Myer, are expected at the range
this afternoon.
George W. Chesley. Of Connecticut,
who is decorated with many medals
won in sharp shooting contests on
rifle ranges al over the United states,
will shoot in the l.O0O-yard match
this afternoon. Local marksmen fear
him greatly but they are not losing
their nerve as the National Guard
has some crack shots that viii enter
In the match
This is the largest meet from point
OF entries ever held on the Congress
Heights range, and although visitors
are few, and Interest seems 70 be on
the Wane, the field officers feel GER
tain that some very me scores VIII
be made and that the men will de-
rive great benefit from the practice
Conditions Bad,
The shooting today is taking place
under adverse conditions, the wind be-
ing SO high that It is impossible even to
keep the score boards standing. II is
hurting around the buildings, in and out
the mules Of the guns at a velocity Of
not less than twenty five miles an hour
ard the long-dista.sce marksmen are
having difficulty in adjusting their sights
and wind gauges
The most interesting. and the feature
OF the shooting today, and also the most
spectacular, in fact the only excitement
going on, are twelve entries firing from
the 600-yard line and advancing 10 the
a00-yard line. They have bUgles when
ne wants the men To run. which some
Of Shem on account or surplus flesh
find difficult. and he bugles when. he
D. a.
q prone position, and from the hill where
the officers are all watching with their
SOY glasses. one might imagine that the
second battle OF Bull Run was being
waged-
Captain King In Charge
Captain King. superintendent Of the !
rife range, followed the skirmish
line on horseback. transmitting his
orders 10 the bugler. The result OF
the shooting viii not be known until |
late this afternoon, when the scores |
Will be figured up and each man viii [
know what has been accomplished |
and how he stands in the scoring
books.
Lieut.. Col. l. H. Reichelderfer Is |
the chief range officer.
The most important match OF the |
day, designated as the Moser match, |
which was scheduled TO be shot this |
morning at 10 o'clock, took place ]
this afternoon shortly after ! o'clock !
Only the best shots from the National |
Guard are allowed to enter The first
prize to the winning team is q very
handsome silver cup, presented by /
the National Guard Of the District. I
and SIS in cash, the cup to be held I
one year only The second prize
also the third prize, will be sums of /
and a medal TO be presented !
to each member of the winning team.
Although very good shooting has
been done, no records were broken /
this afternoon, and taken a a whole
the shooting is a trile below first
class Tomorrow will be devoted to
different matches with pistol and
rife for trophies.