May 14, 1904.] 
FOREST AND STREAM- 
411 
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Excellent Results W T 
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Agencies of the U. S. Cartridge Co. 
S. CARTRIDGES 
497-503 Pearl Street 35-45 Park Street, New York. 
114-116 Market Street, San Francisco. 
Interstate Association's G. A. H. Progfamme. 
The fifth Grand American Handicap target tournament will be 
held on the grounds of the Indianapolis Gun Club, Indianapolis, 
Ind., June 21 to 24, inclusive. 
In presenting this programme we would respectfully call the 
attention of all lovers of the sport of trapshooting to the growmg 
popularity of the Grand American Handicap at targets. From its 
inception, four years since, it has rapidly grown in favor, until 
to-day rt is justly recognized as the leading inanimate target event 
in America. 
This years' tovtrnament will be conducted on the same equitable 
lines as has characterized our previous tournaments. Each con- 
testant will be the recipient of every attention and just considera- 
tion, consistent with the fairness that has always been a feature 
of the Interstate Association events. 
The progrf.mme of this tournament is not materially different 
from that of its predecessor, held last year. That programme 
was so happily devised that it won the approval and support of 
the trapshooting fraternity to an unexpected degree. If the details 
of the programme are scanned, it will be found that the interests 
of the amateur have been carefully considered. A majority of the 
events are open to amateurs only, while in the events which are 
open to all, a handicap obtains, of scope sufficient to allow the 
establishing of a true equity between the amateur and the manu- 
facturers' agent. 
Much has been written about the shooting grounds of the 
Indianapolis Gun Club in the columns, of the sportsmen's 
journals: It is, therefore, scarcely necessary to say much on that 
point. The mammoth club house, with its five sets of traps 
arranged in a straight line, occupies an inclosure of sixteen acres 
ur.dcr grass, the whole of the sixteen acres being as level as the 
conventional billiard table. All five sets of traps are in front of 
t1;e club house, and easily accessible from the piazza. 
With such marked advantage, therefore, in favor of the In- 
dianapolis Gun Club, it is a hard matter to calculate with any 
degree of accuracy or positiveness as to the probable entry list 
for the Grand American Handicap of 1904. The programme has 
accordingly been undertaken with extra care, and is presented in 
detail later with full assurance that experience will show that the 
confidence of the trapshooting public has not been misplaced. 
If yon take part in the tournament you must abide by the rules 
and conditions as announced in this programme. Ignorance of the 
rules is no excuse for any error or oversight relating to the com- 
petition. All contestants are expected to be on the grounds by 
9 A. M. each day. Failing therein, each contestant is responsible 
for his acts of negligence. 
All entries for the Grand American Handicap at targets must 
be made on application blanks, which can be secured by address- 
ing Mr. Elmer E. Shaner, secretary- manager, 219 Coltart Square, 
Pittsburg, Pa. 
A brief inspection of the names of several gentlemen who have 
kindly consented to act on the Handicap Committee will show 
tl.'at the Interstate Association has been just as careful as ever 
in selecting its material. To award handicaps is at best but a thank- 
less task, and the Association can never express adequately its grati- 
tude to the seven gentlemen composing the Handicap Committee 
for their courtesy and self-denial in accepting office on such 
committee. 
Each member of the committee has personal knowledge of the 
scores and records of the vast majority of the trapshooters of this 
country, and the Interstate Association feels perfect confidence 
in the ability of the committee as a whole and in each member of 
the committee as an integral part of that whole. 
The committee is constituted as follows: Messrs. Ed. Voris, 
Crawfordsville, Ind., Chairman; J. Q. Ward, Paris, Ky. ; C. M. 
Powers, Decatur, 111. ; J. L. D. Morrison, St. Paul, Minn. ; Alex. 
S. Tolsma, "Detroit, Mich.; W. D. Townsend, Omaha, Neb.; 
John A. Flick, Ravenna, O. 
With the utmost confidence it is predicted that this committee 
will not fall below the estimate that has been placed upon it. 
Mr. Elmer E. Shaner, secretary-manager of the Interstate As- 
sociation, will be secretary to the committee, but will not have 
a vote in the handicapping of contestants. 
The committee will meet at the Denison Hotel, Indianapolis, 
Ind., at 9:30 A. M., Saturday, June 18, but handicaps will not 
be announced until the next day. 
The system of handicapping which is, perhaps, the most gen- 
-erally used is that of giving extra allowance of targets to the 
weaker shots. This is, at best, very unsatisfactory, it being diffi- 
cult to adjust handicaps on an equitable basis under such a 
system. 
Another system of handicapping is that by which an allowance 
of " misses as breaks" is made to those who are less expert than 
their opponents. This system is easier to handle in a fairly 
equitable manner than the one above described, but it is still 
somewhat unsatisfactory. 
The Interstate Association decided four years ago to discard 
them both, and handicap by distance only. Success proved its 
wisdom. The distance handicap will be used again this year. 
Shooting will commence at 9 A. M. sharp each day. The 
grounds will be open for practice and sweepstake shooting on the 
afternoon of Monday, June 20. The Interstate Association trap- 
shooting rules will govern all points not otherwise provided for. 
Note that Section 1, Rule 11, of the target rules relating to bore 
of gun, is not in force at this tournament. Note that Section 5, 
Rule 21, of the target rules (Sergeant system) now reads: "The 
targets shall be from unknown traps. Five sets of traps, ar- 
ranged according to the Sergeant bystem, will be used. No 
guns larger than 12-gauge allowed. Weight of guns unlimited. 
Black powder barred. Targets will be thrown about 50yds. Price 
of targets, 2 cents each, included in all entrances.^ The Inter- 
state Association reserves the right to refuse any entry. The 
standard bore of the gun is No. 12, and in the handicap events all 
contestants will be handicapped on that basis. Contestants using 
guns of smaller bore must stand on the mark allotted to thera. 
The Interstate Association reserves the right to select two car- 
tridges from each contestant (to test the same for proper loading), 
the selection to be made at any time, when a contestant is at the 
firing point. In case entries are so numerous that darkness or 
other cause, prevents the finish of events the same day they are 
commenced, the management reserves the authority to stop the 
shooting at any time it may deem it necessary. In this case, 
weather permitting, the shooting will begin, where left off, at 
9 A. M. sharp the next day. "Shooting names" will not be used 
at this tournament. Shooting "for targets only" is open tc 
manufacturers' agents solely; all othei- contestants must make 
entry for the purses. There will be no practice shooting allowed, 
nor preliminary events shot, prior to the commencing the regular 
events scheduled for the day. 
Entries for the second day's events (the Preliminary Handicap 
included) and entries for the fourth day's events (the Coiisola- 
tion tiandicap included) close at 5 P. M., the day before they 
are scheduled to be shot. All entries for these events must be 
made by that time, as penalty entries will not be taken for thera. 
In case entries are so numerous that events cannot be finished 
until late any day— thus keeping the compiler of scores back with 
his work— a branch of both the cashier's and compiler of scores' 
offices will be opened that night in the Denison Hotel, where 
winners of money can secure the amounts due them, or they can 
obtain same at the shooting grounds the next day. 
A contestant who takes ■ part in the tournament any day must 
make entry for all 'events called for by the programme of that 
day. Entries will not be taken for less than the total number of 
events (the handicap events included) scheduled for the day. In 
case a contestant, after making entry, fails to take part in any 
event, or events, his entrance will be forfeited for that particular 
event or events, and the amount so forfeited will be added to the 
purse the same as if he had contested. 
This rule is made necessary by the outlook for an exceptionally 
large entry list, and it will be impossible to keep this large tourna- 
ment working smoothly unless the squads are kept intact. 
The purses in all events, except the three handicaps, will be 
divided according to the Rose system, into four moneys at the 
ratio of 8, 5, 3, 2. 
The Interstate Association adds $1000, of which amount $100 
will be reserved to purchase a trophy for the winner of first 
money in the Qrand American Handicap at targets. 
The Grand American Handicap. 
The Interstate Association reserves the authority to postpone the 
Grand American Handicap at targets on account of bad weather 
or other important cause if, in the judgment of the management,... 
such postponement is necessary. "' 
The manner of shooting the Grand American handicap at tjt^ets 
(and, in fact, all events scheduled for the tournament) will de- 
pend entirely on the number of entries received. However, con- 
testants are assured that a reasonable equity will be maintained . 
under all conditions. 
Ojficial Score. 
The official score will be kept on a score board in plain view 
of the contestant. It will be the duty of the contestant to see to 
it that the right result is recorded. In case of error, it will be 
the duty of the contestant in whose score the mistake has oc- 
curred to have it corrected before he fires at two more targets,, 
otherwise the score must stand as shown on the score board. In 
case a contestant's view of the score board it interfered with 
through any cause, he may refuse to shoot until the result of his 
last shot can be seen. 
In the handicap events ties that are shot off will be at 25 
targets per man, and the original distance contestants stand at 
will govern. 
Cashfcr. 
Through the courtesy of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co., 
Mr. Fred C. Whitney, of Des Moines, la., will again have charge 
of the cashier's office. Mr. Whitney has few equals and no 
superiors in this position. 
Compiler of Scores. 
The office of compiler of scores will be filled by Mr. J. K. Starr, 
of Philadelphia. His services the last four seasons in a similar 
capacity is a sufficient guarantee of excellent resvilts on this 
occasion. , 
Special Notices. 
It is requested that entries for the Grand American Handicap 
at targets be made in ample time to permit the sending of receipt 
and admission ticket, and for same to reach the maker of entry 
prior to his departure for Indianapolis. All ■ entries must be 
accompanied by the maker's full name and address. 
When making an entry by mail, remittances covering the amount 
of forfeit ($5) should be made by bank check, draft, post-office 
money order, express money order or registered letter. 
Bank checks, drafts or bills of exchange will not be received 
at the cashier's office in payment for balance dtie on entries; nor 
will any check, draft or bill of exchange be cashed during the 
tournament. This rule will be strictly enforced. 
To reach the shooting grounds from hotels in Indianapolis take 
the Plainfield Electric Line car at the corner of Washington street 
and Kentucky avenue direct to the grounds. The fare is ten cents. 
First Day, June 21. 
Ten events, each at 20 targets, each $3 entrance, $5 added. All 
events at unknown angles. No handicaps. Manufacturers' agents, 
paid representatives, etc., may shoot in the above events for 
targets only. 
Second Day, June 22. 
Event No. 1— Preliminary Handicap.— Open to all; 100 targets, 
unknown angles, $7 entrance, targets included; handicaps 14 to 
22yds.; high guns, not class shooting; $100 added to the purse. 
The handicaps contestants receive for the Grand American Han- 
dicap at targets will govern in this event. The number of moneys 
into which the purse will be divided will be determined by the 
number of entries received, as is fully explained elsewhere in this 
programme. In addition to first money, the winner will receive 
a trophy, $50 of the net purse being reserved to purchase same. 
Five events at 20 targets, $2 entrance, $25 added to each. No 
handicaps in events 2, S, 4, 5 and 6, and all at unknown angles. 
Manufacturers' agents, paid representatives, etc., may shoot in 
events 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for targets only. 
If you want to take part in the events scheduled for this day 
you must make entry at the cashier's office on the shooting 
grounds before 5 P. M., Tuesday, June 21. Penalty entries will 
not be taken for these events. An entry is not transferable, and 
entrance money cannot be withdrawn after entry has been made. 
Third Day, June 23. 
Grand American Handicap at Targets.— Open to all; 100 targets, 
unknown angles; $10 entrance, targets included; handicaps 14 to 
22yds. ; high guns, not class shooting; $200 added to the purse, 
j'he number of moneys into which the purse will be divided will 
be determined by the number of entries received, as is fully 
explained elsewhere in this programme. In addition to first 
money, the winner will receive a trophy, presented by the Inter- 
state Association. 
Regular entries must be made on or before Saturday, June 11, 
and -must. ,Bg accompanied by $5 forfeit. Penalty entries may be 
,made aftver -June 11 up . to 5 P. M. Wednesday, June 22, by paying 
"ifiS-'efltrance, targets included. An entry is not transferable, and 
entrance money cannot be withdrawn after entry has been made. 
Fourth Day, June 24v v - 9%}^^ 
Five events, 20 targets, $2 entrance, $5 added. All the foregoing 
events at unknown angles. No handicaps. Manufacturers' agents, 
paid representatives, etc., may sho.ot in the above events for 
targets only. ' , 
Event No. 6— Consolation Handicap.— Open to all; 100 targets, 
:unkiiOwa angte3t ,$7 entrance"^ tar-gets included; handicaps 14 to 
2Syds.; high guns, not class shooting; $100 added to the purse. 
Winners of money in the. Grand American Handicap at targets will 
have 1yd. added to their handicaps, and non-winners of money in 
the Grand American Handicap at targets will go in 1yd. The 
number of moneys into which the purse will be divided will be 
determined by the rmmber of entries received, as is fully ex- 
plained elsewhere in this programme. In addition to first money. 
