The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-06
CA9ToREA.
R.,,.h. The Kind You Have Always Bought
Signature at &Azezm
PLENTY OF TARGET PRACTICE
Uncle sam Is Free with His Money
for That Purpose.

for That Purpose.
washington, July 5.-Instructioas nave
been sent by the war department to the
commanders of all coast batteries, direct
ING the expenditure Of a large quantity Oh
ammunition in target practice curing the
fiscal wear, beginning July 1. The instruc-
tons provide for greater allowance oA
ammunition than has ever been provided
heretofore, in the history OF the arIhelS
arm. A conservative estimate places the
cost Of rhe new practice for the first year
NJ S5nO coo. and for the second year a!
ssoo ooo As new guns are added to the
sote,;cas the expense item will increase
each year. ,..,
The cost Of target practice IN the United
States navy during the fiscal year lSs'- 81
is eaid TO have been 100000, and there -
sood authority for stating that the estl-
rratcs for 1Sg7-'9S provided for an expsn-
aiture Of 100000. The certainty OF "a'
,,,b sn,in. h .wever, caused a general nus
,,e,dire of ammunition as early as the fail
~ 1907 In the navy, it is pointed out by
ordnance men, there is Necessary LOT Gun
slant target work. since the skin oeniaIiu-
al for good workmanship on board snip Is
even greater than that demanoeo o"
ebora The seaman gunner has the IN
steady gun platform Of the vessel CON-
stantly initiating against him.
The new instructions provide for en- IN
crease in the former expenditure OF ten
| rounds Of S-inch and ten rounds OF l0-inch
breech-loading rife ammunition for each
were fifteen rounds for The S-inch Dreecn-
loading piece. ten rounds FOR eacn S-lhch
muzzle-loading rifle, ten rounds for the
1n-inch smooth bore and three rounds eacn
for the s-inch breech-loading rifle, lo-inch
treech-loadlng rife, and the E-incn
| breech-ioading rife. When IT IS consid-
| cred that the average battery contiiHs
| four s-inch r!fied guns Of modern type II
will be seen that the detail will have the
advantage Of ffty-two shots In target
| nersod. The she'll OF an S-inch coast gun
| weighs 100 pounds. Only common snel
| will be used in target work Targets VII
/ no laid out AZ various distances, but the
ranges will embrace work mainly a. $3.50
and 400 yards. An early attempt will be
| made 20 establish range tables for eaca
| battery location on the coast
The practice 20 be permitted with the
| new breech-loading nlortars Is reported "a
! be very liberal II WI embrace an aver
! age Of twenty shots pc mortar per year
| In addition % common shell firing for the
| r!fed guns. allowance Is made for prac-
| tice with shrapnel shot The shrapnel
| shot I: IS con;eudcd, T. destined 20 play
an important role in the future defence
| OF ports. Vessels OF the cruiser type and
small torpedo craft can be successfully
attacked at long range with shrapnei. ard
the chances % infiicSng damage. II Il as
serted. are better than II a common shel
we're employed. In the defence % a chan
rel whichEan enemys feet Is attempting
70 force, leading srti,lerists % Europe noS
contend that shrapneI and common sasI
should be used at long range. with q
view Of clearing tue decks OF the UnaT'
rao-ed vessels. and mat armor-ptescini
| shell Should re retained fo- close aagV
work.
The targets 20 be employed In the forth.
coming practice WI b ot sccn type a.
the ingenuity % the battery Commando,
| may devise The target gsnezily used I
tsangtilar-shapsd sfyair. made % canvas
and supported On the water By 3 fsf
made Of barrels and plsnk,Gg-