The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-09
RIFLE PRACTICE IF UNCLE SAM'S MEN Country Now Divided Into
 Five Divisions
TO SHOOT THIS MONTH
The Southeastern States Will Shoot on the New Range at Jack vile, One of the Finest
 in the Country

III the country
 Washington. August s-(Special., While all Europe Is engaged in war. the United States is going ahead train ing it's small army and its organized militia to the proper state of effi- ctency. One feature of it's training is the annual rifle shooting competi- 7 tions. which have done so much to mak e our soldiers more skillful than tho sol diers of any other nation in the handling of the rifle.
 For some years back, there has been held at one central point a big shoot, to which were sent teams represent- ing every state and territory, as we'll as the army, navy and marine corps. As the expenses incident to the journey to central point worked hardship on those states farthest away from the tournament. it was decided this year to try an inovation by dividing up the country Into five divisions and having the national and National Rifle asso- citation matches in each of the divisions thus equalizing to a considerable ex-
 
 state teams.
 The matches of the eastern states known as division A. which include the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Yer mont. Massachusetts, Rhode Island Connecticut. New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Vir- ginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, win be held at the well known Seagirt, N. J., range, beginning August "A. 1t is expected that all oi the above states with the exception l of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and prob ably Vermont and Virginia, will send teams to this competition. There will also be team from the United States army, which is being trained at Fort Ethan Allen, Vt, and which is in charge of Capt. James A. Romeyn, United States army, and team from tn. l United States marine corps, stationed within the division.
 1 A new departure in this years matches in the throwing open of the gov. ernment and National Rifle association l matches to teams and individuals iron institutions of learning having militar, | departments. There will also be d competition for civilian rifle clubs. Thi. class has grown greatly in the las few months, towing to the recent ac Of Congress. authorizing the free issue of rifles and ammunition to them
 At the Seagirt shoot there will b, held tryout for the selection of team to represent the United States ii the competition to be held in Canads for the Palma trophy. There will also be another international match for tn, National Guard association trophy, rep resenting the worlds individual Ions range championship. The executive or ficer for the Seagirt shoot will be Brigadier General Bird W. Spencer National Guard New Jersey
 The matches of the southern division
 known as division B, including tn, states of North and South Caroline Georgia, Florida, Kentuckl, Tennessee Alabama and Mississippi, will be helc at Jacksonville, Fla, beginning October 6. All of the above mentioned state, will send teams with the exception O. South Carolina. This will be the bap. tism for the new Florida state range
 which is one of the largest in the coun try, and which is a candidate for the national matches of 1915. The executiv, officer for this shoot will be Genera u. Clifford R. Foster, Florida stat. troops.
 Included in division c are the state. of Ohio. Michigan Indiana, Illinois | Wisconsin. Minnesota. Iowa and Nortl and South Dakota. There will be nc Icompetition in this division this year but the states who desire to partici. lpate in the matches may send its tean to the nearest divisional shoot, whicl will be that of division D. to be helt at Fort Riley, Kan, beginning Septem. Der 2S- The executive officer will b, Brigadier General c. I. Martin, Nationa Guard Kansas. In this division ar, comprised the states of Missouri. Ar. kansas Louisiana, Nebraska, Kansas oklahoma. Texas. Wyoming, Colorado New Mexico and Arizona. It is not known how many of these states will be represented.
 | The states of the northwest sand Pa cific coast are located fin division F. These states are Montana, Idaho, Utah l Nevada. California. Oregon, Washing ton and the Territory of Hawaii The matches are to be held at Portland Ore. beginning September 3, and the executive officer will be Brigadier Gen. eral William E. Finzer, Oregon Ma tional Guard
 At all of these competitions in addi- ton to the interstate match. will be 1 held an individual rifle match, indi- vidual pistol match and all of the tiine- honored matches of the National Rifle association. which include the Wimb1e- don cup. the Leech cup, marine corps cup. and the divisional regimental and company championships owing to the state of war which exists throughout 1 the world, these matches will have added interest this year. It is to be regretted. however. that the army is taking no part in these matches beyond the team which is to compete at Seagirt In view of the importance of these great rifle matches 1t Is unfortunate that the absence from the United States of the army will make 1t impossible for the army to take any active interest in this years divisional matches
 | Programmes of the different divis- | ional shoots may be secured from the post adiutant at the differant raucas