948 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[DrEc. 14, 1907. 

The Interstate Association’s Annual 
Meeting. 
annual meeting of the stockholders of the Inter- 
state Association was held at Oakland, Bergen county, 
N. J., Dec. 5, 1907, at 10 A. M. The meeting was duly 
adjourned to meet Dec. 6, 1907, at 10:30 A. M., at Room 
1609, 140 Cedar street, New York city. 
The adjourned annual meeting was called to order at 
10:30 A. M., with President J, A. Haskell in the chair, 
The roll call showed the following members present; 
Union Metallic Cartridge Co., by A, C. Barrell; Winches- 
ter Repeating Arms Co., by S. G. Lewis; Parker Bros., 
by W. F. Parker; E. I, du Pont de Nemours Powder Co., 
by J. T. Skelly; Laflin & Rand Powder Co., by J. A. 
Haskell; Remington Arms Co., by E. E, Drake; Marlin 
Fire Arms Co., by J. Howard Marlin; Hunter Arms Co., 
THE 

by John Hunter; Peters Cartridge Co., by T. H. Keller; 
Chamberlin Cartridge & Target Co., by Paul North; 
Lefever Arms Co., by A. H. Durston; American Powder 
Mills, by Murray Ballou; Dickey Bird Target & Trap 
Co., by G. H. Tefft, and the A. H. Fox Gun Co., by A. 
H. Fox. The United Lead Co. was represented by S. 
G. Lewis by proxy, and the Austin Cartridge Co. by Ts 

T. Skelly by proxy. J. W. Heirs, of the Sportsman; 
H. S, Rosenthal and L. Werk, of the Sportsmen’s Re- 
view, and A. W. Higgins, honorary members of the As- 
sociation, were also present, as was Elmer E. Shaner, 

secretary-manager of the Association. L, C. Parker, of 
Parker Bros., was present by invitation. 
The minutes of the different meetings held during the 
year, and those of the mail votes taken, were read and 
epproved. 
Mr. A. C. Barrell, treasurer, presented his report for 
the year, The report was received, approved and filed. 
The secretary-manager’s report was also received, ap- 
proved and filed. It was as follows: 
PittspurG, Pa., Nov. 23, 1907. 
To the President, Officers and Members of the Interstate 
Association. 
Gentlemen—The following report of the transactions of 
the Secretury-Manager’s office for the year 1907 is sub- 
mitted. 
It is unnecessary to say that the season was a success. 
The attendance at the tournaments and the results ac- 
complished show for themselves that there are no signs 
that the sere and yellow tinge is impending. I take 
occasion to again say that interest will continue to ac- 
cumulate just so Jong as the sport is controlled on the 
present equitable lines. The guidance and influence of 
such an organization as the Interstate Association are 
imperatively, not to say absolutely, necessary to keep 
the sport at its present high standard r 
The tournament work for the season is summarized as 
follows: 
THE SOUTHERN HANDICAP. 
TI 
he second Southern Handicap tournament was held at 






Ricamond, Va., May 8, 9 and 10, under the auspices of 
the Deep Run Hunt Club. For four days previous to 
the tournament it rained every day, and at times heavily. 
The setting of the traps could scarcely have been im- 
prover A field of green, variegated with flowers, af- 
forded an ample view of a quarter of a mile and a line 
of tre enhanced the setting of the scene. But the 
rains had marred the place somewhat, though the site 
was upland and naturally dry. Several tents were pitched 
on the grounds for the accommodation of the contestants, 
in one of which the ladies of a church served a lunch 
which is appreciated to the full 
[he handicaps were unusually favorably received, Chair- 
nan Elmer E. Shaner and B. Waters were the only 
menbers of the official committee present, but Messrs. 
Miles Taylor, of Washington, D. C.; Geo. L. Lyon, of 
Durham, N. ( and W. M. Foerd, of Wilmington, Del., 
te appointed to fill the vacancies, and wisdom was 
tified in the choice. 
Specially distinguishable were the geniality and ur- 
banity of the contestants, and the gracious hospitality 
bestowed on visitors by the sportsmen of Richmond, and 
it was fully appreciated. 
THE GRAND AMERICAN HANDICAP. 
What has been pronounced by unpre judiced outsiders 
the grandest trapshooting tournament ever given, was 
held on the grounds of the Chicago Gun Club, Chicago, 
June 18, 19, 20 and 21. The entries in the principal event 
numbered 496, while ich event from start to finish had 
an enormous entry li This was the greatest entry list 
in the history of the sport, and for the success of the 
tournament the Chicago Gun Club, from top to high 
private in the rear rank, are entitled to equal praise, as 
all did their duty according to. location. 
Poets say there is nothing finer than a fine day in 
June, and here there were four fine days to which little 
exception could be taken. There was a little rain the 
second day, as into every tournament, or into most of 
them at least, ‘some rain must fall,” as well as into 
each life. 
Trophies were well distributed, a consummation to be 
desired, as it gives encouragement to a worthy class of 
contestants who would otherwise become discouraged if 
a certain class of men were year after year to rake down 
the principal events. 
The organization as to departments and detail was 


complete, and from start to finish the shooting was with- 
out a hitch. Our Association, which for fifteen years has 
been in the van, never accomplished a better stroke of 
business than during these four days, and that is saying 
much in view of its decade and one-half of strenuous ef. 
fort in this direction. 
THE EASTERN HANDICAP. 
The second Eastern Handicap tournament was held 
under the wing of the Association of Palefaces, at Bos- 
ton, Mass., July 16, 17 and 18, and its was a notable 
event in every sense. The entries were sufficiently 
numerous for comfortable handling, and matters moved 
zs smoothly as at a boss-managed political convention. 
The grounds are in the Al class. 7 hey are at Welling- 
ton, Mass., a few minutes’ ride from Boston. 
Messrs, C. M. Powers and W. D. Townsend, members 
of the committee appointed by the Association to allot 
handicaps, were unable to be present at this tournament, 
and their places were filled by Mr. rank M. Eames, 
of Philadelphia, and Mr. O. R. Dickey, of Wellington, 
Mass. The work of the committee seemed to give the 
best of satisfaction, as few, very few, complaints were 
heard. 
A pleasant feature was a visit of old-timers, men 
famous as trapshooters when the Interstate Association 
was young. Fifteen years have effected a great change 

im many respects in trapshooting as well as in trade 
regulations. Some of these visitors had attended the 
national tournament held on these grounds in 1887. Old 
methods were contrasted with the present. Although 
opinion was not unanimous, the general one of the old- 
timers was that business had gone on some, 
THE WESTERN HANDICAP. 
The second Western Handicap tournament, held at 
Denver, Colo., Aug. 20, 21 and 22, under the auspices of 
the Denver Trap Club, testified to the abilities of live 
Westerners to make an event interesting. Co-operating 
with the authorities of Denver; the officers of the Denver 
Trap Club had the shooting grounds in first-class shape 
for the tournament. The traps were located, as a year 
ago, at Berkeley Lake, five miles from the center of 
Denver, and nothing could be asked for, except better 
weather. This was as fickle as a sixteen-year-old girl. 


The tournament was very successful in all respects, 
the entries numbering 223. It was the second largest 
tournament of the year, and is a monument to the wis- 
dom of the Association in giving the second Western 
Handicap to Denver. It was a meeting long to be re- 
membered by those who were so fortunate as to witness 
the superb skill displayed by the contestants who took 
part in the different events. The tournament was car- 
ried over a day on account of the large number of entries. 
Dr. C. E, Cook, of New London, Ia., and Mr. Geo. K. 
Mackie, of Scammon, Kan., filled the places of Messrs. 
Waters and Gleason on the handicap committee. The 
work of the committee was well received by the con- 
testants. 
In addition to all the absolutely necessary accessories 

to complete enjoyment, there was a large number of 
spectators present each day. The advancement and 
stimulus given to trapshooting in the Middle West in 
consequence of the two Western Handicaps held at 
Denver can hardly be over-estimated. 
THE PACIFIC COAST HANDICAP. 
The third Pacific Coast Handicap tournament was held 
at Spokane, Wash., Sept. 10, 11 and 12, under the aus- 
pices of the Spokane Rod and Gun Club. The Spokane 
Club spent considerable money in preparing the ground 
for the event. The grounds form a natural amphitheater. 
The high bluff background was something of a puzzle 
to strangers, but on the whole they succeeded in doing 
fairly.good work. The civic authorities interested them. 
selves in the event and contributed to its success. 
The attendance fell far below expectations, and various 
reasons were given for this, such as a late harvest, the 
beginning of the open season for game shooting and in- 
ability to secure reduced railroad rates. Personally I am 
inclined to think that it was mainly due to the stiff 
proposition offered in the way of a programme, and the 
location of the shooting grounds of the Spokane Club. 
The ground conditions are such that it is next to im- 
possible for a stranger to do anything like consistent 
shooting. I think the Spokane Rod and Gun Club 
realizes that its present grounds will not answer for 
tournament purposes. J was informed that they were 
going to lock for another location. 
The handicapping committee, composed of Chairman 


E. E. Shaner, C. M. Powers, Fred K. McBroom, of 
Spol e, Wash.; Dr. P. A. Purdy, of Seattle, Wash., 
and J. F, Smails, of Walla Walla, Wash., cannot be 
blamed for the low scores. 
THE OUTLOOK. 
Relative to the future, there is little to say except to 
repeat what has been said over and over from year to 
year in the past. The Interstate Association continues 
to be to trapshooting what the baseball leagues are to 
the game of baseball, keeping alive interest in the sport 
and keeping the interest unflagging among local clubs 
which have become as thick as stars in the sky. This 
interest is especially noticeable in the vicinities where 
sportsmien’s journals circulate. Thus membership keeps 
pace with growth of population, which is all that the 
most optimistic can ask, 
THE 1907 HANDICAP COMMITTEE, 
As chairman of the handicap committee, I feel a deli- 
cacy in taking a part in the discussion sprung on its 
management the past season, but as secretary-manager 
of the Association, I feel it obligatory to record my 
views. : 
The handicap committee of 1907 was undoubtedly one 
of the best and most competent committees ever ap- 
pointed for the work; it was fully in touch with trap- 
shooters in general and abundantly qualified to ap- 
preciate individual merit. I am not biased in my views 
by the fact that I was chairman of the committee, but 
IT cannot refrain from saying that the committee in 
allotting handicaps was unswayed by personal feeling, 
and uninfluenced by any consideration save that of merit. 
The results tell their own story, and the records show 
that the committee’s arduous and not altogether pleasant 

task was well and faithfully done at each and every 
tournament. The committee was not censured by the 
trapshocting fraternity at large, the general sentiment 
being that the Association had not departed from its 
time-honored plane of rectitude. 
In dismissing the subject it is pertinent to remark 
that if a handicap committee is to be bound by hard and 
fast rules, it ceases to be such committee, and becomes 
a superfluity. It may also be pertinent to state that if 
handicaps are so arranged that professionals stand but 
little chance of winning, there is a widespread feeling 
that it would be more honorable to bar them altogether, 

But I think all has been said that honor demands, an 
it 1s necessary to cast a glance at other features. 
NEXT YEAR’S GRAND AMERICAN HANDICAE 
The Grand American Handicap tournament is recog 
nized as the event of the year, and the greatest car 
should be exercised in its management. The place to b 
slected for holding it should be carefully considered. W 
have applications from Columbus, St. Louis, Indianapo 
lis and Chicago. A general discussion may be of vita 
importance. At the same time the very best of every 
thing should be provided. On these much of our pas 
success has hinged. 
It will be conceded by all that the Grand America 
Handicap cannot continue to grow indefinitely. It mus 
in the nature of things react in limit. In fact, if tha 
limit has not already been reached, it will tax humai 
ingenuity to conceive a means to extend it satisfactorily 
Lookers on in the excitement of a contest may regar¢ 
the management as simple, but they fail to consider thi 
magnitude of preparation which is the ground work o 
success. Only those in immediate contact with the 
work know of its nerve-racking intensity. The detail 
which is immense in amount and complexity, must k<« 
mastered and laboriously worked out prior to the actua 
time for holding the tournament. When all has beer 
accomplished the final engagement may seem simple 
enough to those who do not understand that the greate) 
part of the work is not visible. 
While not wishing to appear as dictatorial, I think thc 
Grand American Handicap has reached that point «where 
it cannot be the ambition of any to make it the largest 
but the best in existence. 
MISCELLANEOUS MENTION. 
The wisdom of the decision at the annual 
1905 to give four subsidiary handicaps on lines similar 
to the Grand American Handicap has been abundantly 
justified, for by it trapshooting has received an impetus 
that is patent to all observers, 
The Association’s outfit is stored in Pittsburg, fully 
covered by insurance. From present outlook it would 
seem that we will have no further use for it, as nearly 
all gun clubs under whose auspices tournaments are 
given are fully equipped, aud our outfit is likely to rust 
from non-use. Accc rdingly, I think it would be well to 
dispose of it to the best possible advantage, although 
conscious that like a rolling mill or blast furnace it 
would not likely attract a large concourse of bidders. 
IN CONCLUSION. 
I deem it but just to repeat what I have so frequently 
said regarding the obligation$ under which our Asso- 
ciation rests to the sportsmen’s journals. They have 
satisfied the demands of the most exacting in reporting 
cur tournaments and in publishing matters of general and 
particular interest to our subscribers, keeping the work 
well before the public. As honorary members of the 
Association they are entitled to unstinted praise for their 
efficiency and courtesy. I wish to renew my expression 
of obligation for the many unsolicited marks of apprecia- 
tion they have bestowed upon me personally. 
[ cannot close without a renewal of my thanks to our 
subscribers for the urbanity with which they have treated 
me in all our relations, public and private, and in this 
connection I wish to include the members of the various 
committees, whose aid, advice and gentlemanly treatment 
I appreciate at full value. 
Very respectfully submitted. 
Etmer E. SHANER, Sec’y-Mer., 

meeting 94 

The resignation of the Laflin & Rand Powder Co., was 
presented, and on motion accepted. 
The following matters were next 
ter and 
proved by the Association: 
taken up ap- 
REGISTERED TOURNAMENTS. 
On and after Feb. 1, 1908, clubs may hold tournaments 
under the auspices of the Interstate Association, which 
will be known as Registered Tournaments. 
To: secure recognition for a registered tournament from 
the Interstate Association it is. first necessary for the 
secretary or other authorized officer of the club to com- 
ply with the following conditions: 
a Vo. make application to the secretary-manager not 
less than forty-five days in advance of the tournament 
opening date, 
Association. 
2. To state to the secretary-manager the names of the 
club, the name of the manager or names of the man- 
agers, and to state also for what purpose the tournament 
is to be given. 
3. To state the amount of money to be added, if any, 
how it is to be applied, and the system of money division. 
4. To place a printed programme of the tournament in 
the hands of the secretary-manager at least fifteen days 
before the date or dates of said tournament, 
5. To state what hotel accommodations and rates shall 
upon blanks furnished by the Interstate 

be accorded shooters, 
6. To agree that the secretary, or other authorized of- 
ficer of the recognized club shall mail promptly to the 
secretary-manager of the Interstate Association, at the 
close of the tournament, a report duly signed by said 
secretary, or other authorized officer, showing specifically 
the names and addresses of contestants, number of tar- 
gets shot at, and scores made by each contestant, one 
event with another. The scores of amateurs and pro- 
fessionals are to be given under separate heads accord- 
ingly. This report is to be made out on suitable blanks 
furnished by the Interstate Association. 
If a club defaults on this agreement in any particular, 
permission for further registered tournaments will not be 
granted. 
7. After compliance with the foregoing conditions, the 
application will forthwith be submitted by the secretary- 
manager to each member of the tournament committee 
for a mail vote, and upon receipt of a favorable reply 
from a majority of the members of the committee, the 
secretary-manager will register the tournament and im- 
mediately notify all members of the Interstate Associa- 












































































































































































































