Bec. 19, 103.1 
FOREST AND 
4§f 
u.S.a™nition 
FOR. 
PEACE OR WAR 
EVERYWHERE THE STANDARD 
United States Cartridge Co. 
LOWELL. MASS. 
Agencies i 
497-503 Pearl Street. 35-43 Park Street, New York. 
114-116 Market Street, Sa.n Fra-ncisco, 
Interstate As&ociatfon. 
The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Interstate Asso- 
ciation was held at Oakland, N. J., Dec. 10, 1903, at 10 A. M., and 
adjourned to meet the same date at 1:30 P. M., in the offices of the 
Laflin & Rand Powder Company, 99 Cedar street, New York city. 
The adjourned annual meeting was called to order at 2:10 P. M., 
President Bennett in the chair. Present: Union Metallic Car- 
^ tridge Company, A. C. Barrell ; American E. C. & Schultze Gun- 
\iowder Company, Ltd., Edward Banks; Winchester Repeating 
Arms Company, Irby Bennett; Parker Brothers, W. F. Parker; 
Tv e Hazard Powder Company, J. T. Skelly; E. I Dupont Com.- 
paivv-, Eugene Dupont; Laflin & Rand Powder Company, A. W. 
Hig^ins; Remington Arms Company, M. H. Dodge; The Marlin 
Fire Arms Company, J. Howard Marlin; Markle Lead Works, 
W. P. Markle. 
The J 'eters Cartridge Company was represented by Mr. W. A. 
HigginS by proxy, and Tatham & Bros., by Mr. W. P. Markle, 
by- proa J. Mr. J. A. Haskell, of the Laflin & Rand Powder Com- 
pany; JTr. W. L. Lyon, of Parker Brothers; Mr. J. D. Bethel, of 
the Mirlin Fire Arms Company; Mr. James Hildreth, of the 
Win' aester Repeating Arms Company, and Capt. A. W. Money, 
^. the American E. C. & Schultze Gunpowder Company, were also 
present, as were Mr. B. Waters, of Forest and Stream; Mr. W. 
R. Hobart, of American Field; Mr. M. R. Herrington, of Shoot- 
ing and Fishing; Mr. D. F. Pride, of Field and Fancy, and Mr. 
Elmer E. Shaner, secretary-manager of the Association. 
The minutes of the special meeting, held March 13, and of the 
annual meeting this date, at Oakland, N. J., were read and 
approved. 
Mr. A. W. Higgins, treasurer, presented his report for the 
year ending this date. The report showed that the Association 
was in good financial standing, there being a substantial credit 
to the account of the Association. Upon motion, the report 
was. received, approved and filed, and a vote of thanks was ten- 
dered the? Treasurer. 
The report of the secretary-manager was read by Mr. Shaner, 
and upon motion was received and filed. 
Pittsburg, Pa., Dec. 9, 1903. 
To the President, Officers and Members of the Interstate Associa- 
tion : 
Gentlemen — In presenting the report of the operations for 1903, 
I am pleased to inform you that the season now drawing to a 
close has been an unqualified success, eventful in good results for 
pur members. The trapshooting world again has been given proof 
that the Interstate Association performs what it promises, and the 
interest displaj'ed in our work convinces us of the great import- 
ance of our organized efforts thus far. At no time in our history 
have the benefits of organization been more manifest than now. 
In no way can the manufacturer contribute more to the general 
interest of trapshooting that by adding his influence and personal 
attention to the efforts of the Interstate Association, as it has been 
fully demonstrated that our methods are sound, logical and based 
on good judgment, the result of close study of the subject. 
The records of this office, in entirety and severalty, show that 
the sport of trapshooting is yearly growing stronger, and it will 
continue to increase just as long as it is conducted on the same 
clean lines as at present, under the guiding influence of an organiza- 
tion such as ours. The Interstate Asociation is recognized as the 
parent organization, and it is so mixed up in affairs in the trap- 
shooting world that it has become an indispensability to the 
sport, which, to a large extent, depends on its existence. From 
the opening of the season to the closing tournament in the fall it 
outlines the policy of many gun clubs which pattern by it and 
follow in its footsteps, and it is to the credit of these clubs that 
they are fully able to appreciate its excellence. 
Tournaments. 
The opening tournament was the fourth Grand American Handi- 
cap at targets, held at Blue River Park, Kansas City, Mo., April 
14 to 17. It was an epoch in point of attendance and enthusiasm. 
The entries received numbered 192. This is the largest number of 
entries ever made in any similar contest and is a monument to 
the wisdom and enterprise of the Interstate Association. It was a 
rceeting long to be rempmbered by those who were so fortunate 
as to witness the superb skill displayed by the contestants who 
took part in the different events. The discipline was strict, and 
the result justified the tight rein, contributing to general satis- 
faction. 
The tournament at Du Bois, Pa.. May 13 and 14, for the benefit 
of the Du Bois Rod and Gun Club, was enjoyable and profitable 
to all concerned. There were thirty-three contestants and twenty- 
three shot through the entire first day's programme, and twenty- 
two in the second. The weather was all that could be desired, and 
first-class scores were the n:le throughout. 
The third tournament of the season's series was held in Wil- 
Itamsport, Pa., May 27, 28 and 29, under the auspices of the West 
Branch Rod and Gun Club. The State tournament at Philadel- 
phia the week previous, and the tournament of the Western 
Pennsylvania Trapshooters' League, at Brownsville, Pa., on the 
same dates, prevented the attendance of a considerable number 
of contestants who ordinarily attend at Williamsport. The weather 
also was unsatisfactory, clouds making successful shooting almost 
steadily problematical. Yet, despite all these discouragements, 
forty-four contestants took part and the tournament was pro- 
nounced a success. Interest was renewed, the results were satis- 
factory to local shooters, and our members have no reason to 
complain of the manner in which all things worked togetlier for 
their good. 
The month of roses opened auspiciously. The tournament at 
Boston, Mass., came off June 3 and 4, and though there were 
many adverse influences it was on the whole fairly satisfactory. 
The grounds at Wellington, a suburb of Boston, were in splendid 
condition, and only bad weather and apathy on the part of 
shooters who were not in evidence contributed to local disappoint- 
ment. Forty contestants took part, which was about one-half the 
number expected by the Boston Shooting Association, under 
whose auspices the tournament was given.. 
The tournament at Warm Springs, Ga., June 16 to 19, was one 
of the best ever given by the Interstate Association. There were 
two days' rare sport at targets and two at live birds, and the 
attendance was much larger than expected, and all visitors left 
with a lively appreciation of Southern hospitality. There were 
contestants present from Georgia, Alabama, North "and South 
Carolina, Tennessee and Maryland. Arrangements were complete 
and the weather unexceptional. In addition to all the absolutely 
necesary accessories to complete enjoyment, there was a large 
concourse of spectators present each day. This tournament, given 
under the auspices of the Meriwether Gun Club, was very success- 
ful in all respects, and especially in reviving interest in the sport 
in the Southern States. The local gun club handled its guests 
in a manner that gave perfect satisfaction. 
The sixth tournament was held at Rutherford, N. J., June 24 
and 25. The preliminary shoot to have been held on the afternoon 
of June 23, was abandoned on account of a heavy rain, which 
made it impossible, and the 24th opened with a drizzling rain, 
which prevented a number of contestants putting in an appear- 
ance. The rain ceased in the afternoon, but the pleasure was 
marred by a leaden sky, added to an east wind, which drove the 
smoke into the faces of the shooters. Nctwithstandmg forbidding 
conditions, thirty-four contestants faced the score, and twenty shot 
in every event, and fair success was achieved, despite all draw- 
backs. The conditions were very much better the second day, 
and the attendance was all that could be desired. Two sets of 
traps were kept going from 9 A. M. until dark, and some good 
work was done. 
The attendance at the Huntsville, Ala., tournament, under the 
auspices of the Huntsville Gun Club, on July 8 and 9, was not as 
large as expected, but the event was a success nevertheless. The 
first day's weather was a poem, and the effect on the sport was 
exhilarating. The second day's attendance, both ol contestants 
and visitors— and among the latter were many ladies, who added 
grace, interest and emulation — was much larger than on the first 
day. Interest was also added by a contest between the Huntsville 
and Sheffield gun clubs for a silver loving cup, the Huntsville 
club being the winner. 
The Lacrosse, Wis., tournament, held July 30 to Aug. 1, under 
the auspices of the Lacrosse and Viroqua gun clubs, would a 
decade ago have been considered a notable event even for the 
Association's great annual event, the Grand American Handicap. 
Arrangements made bof'h by the local and - Interstate organiza- 
tions were, humanly speaking, perfect. There was an unusually 
good attendance of spectators, and entries were record-breakers 
in anything short of State events. The first day there were over 
seventy niimes on the list, and on the second, eighty, and from 
opening to close the machinery worked perfectly, and all felt it 
was good to be there. 
The Interstate Association and the Ottawa, 111., Rainmakers* 
Gun Club, at the tournament, Aug. 12 and 13, gave an exhibition 
but rarely paralleled in the annals of sport, though the Rain- 
makers curtailed the business in the midst of the second day's 
work by sending a soaking shower. Great scores were being 
made when Jupiter Pluvius "pulled the plug" and drowned the 
play. The scores were good on both days, but there we'ire too 
many counter-attractions at the date in the Western circuit to 
allow of a large attendance. ■ 
Our tenth tournament, at Akron, O., Sept. 2 and 3, had' be- 
tween eighty and ninety contestants in the lists, and the Akron 
Gun Club's arrangements and ample grounds and equipment as- 
sured a profitable time from the outset. The weather was superb 
and the shooting the same, both amateurs and manufacturers' 
agents making high scores, the former treading closely on the 
heels of the latter. This tournament was one of '•"e big successes 
of the season. 
Old ■ PrOb. rnarred the closing contest of the season, that at 
Scranton, Pa., Sept. 23 and 24. The Scranton Rod and Gun 
Club had done everything human foresight could do, but the 
threatening weather aspect kept the attendance down the second 
day. On the first day the crowd of spectators was so large that 
the contestants had trouble to get to the- firing points when their 
turns were called. There were forty-eight entries the first and 
thirty-two the second day, and good scores were made, con 
sidering the drawback of a poor background. 
The Future. 
Never at the close of any season was the prospect for the future 
brighter. There -is not a cloud discernible on the horizon. ■ Mem- 
bers of our fraternity are, as a rule, above the- influences which 
lead to bickering- in- rriany sports of other kinds. A love of 
clean, exciting, scientific and high-toned sport controls them, and 
the subsequent rivalry is of a generous nature, that has a ten- 
dency to create and keep up interest in the sport. 
The Grand American Handicap at Targcls for i904. 
The Grand American Handicap at targets has grown to pro- 
portions never even approached by any other similar organization, 
and as a matter of both pride and profit the Association cannot 
afford to allow it to decline. It is now recognized as the event of 
the year, and the greatest care should be exercised in its man- 
agement. The place to be selected for . holding it in 1904, should 
be carefully considered. A general discussion may be of vital 
importance. At the same time the very best of everything should 
be provided. On these much of our past success has hing«d. 
Minor Details. 
Combining the ofiices of secretary and manager has increased 
my duties considerably, entailing a very large correspondence; 
but the matters dealt- in w-ere of such a nature that I do not con- 
sider a review necessary. 
The properties of the Association are stored in Pittsburg, fully 
protected by insurance. ' 
In Conclusion. 
I wish to renew my thanks to ovir members for their generous 
support, and invariable kindness manifested through a long series 
of years, and solicit a continuance of the same, and in this I 
mclude the sportsmen's journals for their unfaltering support of 
both the Association and myself. 
Very respectfully submitted, 
Elmer E. Shaner, Secretary-Manager. 
The secretary read an application for membership from the 
Chamberlin Cartridge and Target Company, . the same being 
passed -apon favorably, as was the application of the Sportsman for 
honorary membership. 
The secretary also read a letter from the United Lead Com- 
pany withdrawing the membership of the Le Roy Shot and Lead 
\\ orks in the Interstate Association, the resignation being ac- 
cepted. 
Mr. Dodge moved, seconded by Mr. Skelly, that a committee 
of tlu-ee or five be appointed to confer with the Associated Press> 
with a view of securing better service in its reports of shooting 
tournaments. The motion prevailed, and the president announced 
that he would appoint the committee at a later date. 
By request, Mr. J. A. Haskell addressed the meeting in regard 
to incrsasing the scope of the Interstate ^Association. Mr. 
Haskell spoke at length, and commented on the great amount of 
good already accomplished by the Association, and suggested that 
it consider the advisability of giving a greater nurnber of tourna- 
ments than in former years. Mr. Haskell is thoroughly in touch 
with the situation, as it applied to the Association's work. Presi- 
dent Bennett, in a few well chosen words, thanked Mr. plaskell 
for giving the Association the benefit of his views on the 
subject. : -4 
A long list of applications for tournf.ments during 1904 was 
read and referred to the Tournament Committee, as were the six 
applications for the Grand American Handicap of 1904. 
A resolution was introduced and carried, whereby at future 
tournaments given under the auspices of the Association, not 
more than two maiufacturers' agents will be permitted to shoot 
ill any one squad, providing the number of entries received at the 
tournament permits of this arrangement. The object of this is to 
prevent the manufacturers' agents clubbing together and shoot- 
ing by themselves, thus taking away interest to a certain extent 
from other squads. 
After a recess of ten minutes, the election of the Board of 
Directors for 1904 was proceeded with, which resulted in the 
election of Messrs. Irby Bennett, W. J. Bruff, A. W. Higgins, 
Eugene Dupont and Edward Banks. 
On motion, the stockholders' meeting adjourned at 4:30 P. M. 
The meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order by 
