The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-06-19

single range. system ever established, and had it
in full operation soon after war was declared.
Scope of Program.
In undertaking to conduct the National
Matches OF 1919 at the invitation OF the secretary
of war, the navy planned to overlook nothing
toward making these competitions the greatest
Of their long line and toward gathering at
Caldwell representatives of all the branches Of
American craftsmanship.
The United States army rife of the same
type which used by the American army and
marine corps division in France will predominant
in most Of the events, but the high-power serv-
ice weapon, capable of carrying a steel-jacketed
bullet to an extreme range of more than three
miles will not be featured to the exclusion of
other firearms except in the strictly government
competitions. But for the purpose of supplying
the contestants in the government events with
the best rifles and ammunition which can be pro-
cured the government arsenal at Springfield is
at work producing weapons while the
Frankfort arsenal is turning out the necessary
ball cartridges
To provide a program attractive to all shoot
at the National Matches it is planned to stage
at Caldwell events in which the smaubore rifle
viii be fired at short ranges, as well as few
events to interest any Of the trap-shOoting fra
ternity who may drop in transients or as
visitors. The Caldwell range is within 20 miles
of New York City and within accessible distance
Of a population of 100000. 1t was built en-
tirely by the force of bluejackets which operated
it. 1t is a model range in every respect. 1t was
the last range built by the navy and all the best
features developed in the construction of other
ranges utilized there 1t has unlimited
capacity for targets. 1t can accommodate 100
teams for each stage of the match-twice as
many any other range, and has the largest
and best equipment of buildings of any range in
America. 1t has electric lights and all modern
conveniences, with splendid facilities not only for
shooting but also for the accommodation and en-
tertainment OF the regular teams and transient
participants and visitors
Caldwell is reached at a cost of twenty-seven
Newark, and thence twelve miles by trolley to
Caldwell.
While the range is now open and available
to the general public for practice, the executive
officer, Lieutenant Colonel Harllee, will maintain
an Office at the offices of the National Rife as
ISOLATION in Washington and all inquiries should
be addressed there until July 1. when the Ma
tionaI Match staff will assemble at Caldwell
Rifles will be furnished at the firing points
visitors may bring their own rifles. An in
structor (coach) will be provided at each firing
point and when separate parties visit the range
special instructors will be assigned to them to
give preliminary instruction. The range is now
open for all corners and groups or teams visiting
the range for practice preliminary to participat-
ing in the matches will receive special instruction
Beginning about July first daily reentry will
be conducted under the auspices OF the National
Rifle association and each day there will be
awarded medals to the winning competitors and
qualification medals to all who qualify in the Ma
tiOnal Rife association, marksman, sharpshooter
and expert r1neman courses. AT no time, either
before during the matches, VIII there be any
expense for range practice. Sleeping accommo-
dations will be provided without charge (but
sojourners must bring their own blankets), and
meals will be furnished at the cost price Of the
navy ration (now so cents per day..
"team" In the National Team Match con-
sists of twelve (12) principals frers two or
more alternates, one coach. and a team captain
who may be, may not be also principal or
frer. The rules OF the match win provide for
from u0iv nd sch and
it is earnestly hoped that large number OF uni
versities, colleges military schools and high
schools viii be represented by teams.
A separate pistol range will be operated so
that pistol shooters may be accommodated at any
time. When the more important pistol matches
are held, it will be necessary to have them on
the larger rife ranges in order to provide suf-
icient number OF targets.