Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-17

Rife Association. Both Of the American
associations. 1t is admitted, are organiza-
tons worthy of imitation, but they are local
in name II not otherwise.
The League Of American Rifiemen will
aim to have on its roll members from every
state in this country" SO it stated. ut
cannot live without such broad member
snip. 1t should be Differed by men from
different parts of this country with broad,
liberal views. free from local prejudices,
striving to advance the interest in rifle
practice in the country at large What is
wanted by. the league Is to inspire or lead
our men, our youths to make rifle shooting
national sport
Rifle shooting in this country will be
conducted differently in the future than it
has been in the past There will be much
there will be competition between foreign
and home teams; it will be part of the
curriculum of the American college stu
dent as 1t is now IN England, France and
other foreign countries.
The league will own no ranges; it will
not De a commercial enterprise; 1t will not
grant special favors for any particular
state; it will not endeavor to be in any
private enterprise, but 1t will aim for the
advancement in rifle shooting in this coun-
try; 1t will formulate rules; determine the
proper targets to be used; decide how
matches shall be conducted; receive chal-
lenges from abroad; select the teams repre-
sentfng this country; supply the means for
the expense of International matches. A
best military arm; the best ammunition,
and influence as many as possible to use
That arm with skill''
International Revolver Match.
In addition to proposed cable revolver
match between French and American re-
volver shots there will probably be another
match shot in Paris this summer by teams
representing France and America. A few
weeks ago c. s. Axte,l. the expert revolver
shot, left this country for Paris, where he
Will remain several months. Before he left
america he made an extensive trip through
the west and SOUTH meeting a number of
prominent revolver shots, and just before
he sailed for Paris he saw many Of the
eastern revolver experts and learned that
a number of them contemplated a trip to
Paris during the coming summer All of
them would visit Observation-Disclosures gal
lery, and most of them thought a revolver
match shot in that gallery between a
french and an American team would prove
interesting. Joseph Wesson of Springfield
Mass, Will leave for Paris soon, to remain
there until the exposition closes Frank
aodsskins and j. B. Crabtree. also of
epringneid' two strong revolver shots, will
Visit Par1S early in the coming summer
Eugene L. Harpham of Chicago, another
enthusiastic revolver shot, will go to Paris
C. 5. Richmond of Georgia is considering
gong; so is F. B. Crowninshield of Massa-
chusetts, and possibly First Lieut. w, NJ.
FarroW of the District of Columbia Ma
tional Guard, Lieut.. Sumner Paine and
Lieut.. John Paine of Massachusetts and
others.
Revolver Matches Mt Sea Grit.
The committee in charge of the revolver
matches, consisting of Lieut.. SUMMER Paine
of Boston, Lieut.. Reginald r. Sayre of New
York and c. S. Richmond of Savannah, an
ncunce that everything has been done to
make these matches popular feature of
the next meeting of the New Jersey STATE
Rifle Association at Sea Girt. Such changes
Will be made in the conditions governing
as Will tend to satisfy the most exacting.
Better facilities on the revolver ranges and
more and finer prizes will be offered.
For "Schuetzen'' shooting there will be
provided increased facilities, more targets
and prizes. This department will be in the
hands of committee composed of William
Hayes of Newark N. j.; Harry NJ. Pope of
Hartford, Conn; N. Spering, president of
Zimmerman, president of the Zettler Rifle
Club of New York; John Taylor Humphrey
of Boston, Mass, and Thomas Keller Of
New York.
Uselessness of a Sword.
Frequent reference has been made to the
uselessness of a sword to a military officer
This, it is pointed out, has been unmistak-
ably demonstrated in the South African
war. a British officer. writing on the sub
ject from South Africa, says: "At this
stage of the campaign every officer carries
a rifle carbine: swords and gew-gaws
have all been banished to the base with
the heavy baggage" Apropos to this SUBJ
ject the question is asked, Should officers
shoot in the rifle competitions in times of
peace? 1t has been argued that they should
not, and that none but on-commisSioned
officers and privates should qualify or COM
pete with rifles, the officers shooting being
confired to the revolver. Recent events, it
is contended, show conclusively that Off
GERS should learn to shoot the rifle and
to carry one in war.
Rifle Matters.
The result of the regimentai team rife
match shot last evening in the rifle gall
lery was; Second Regiment, 454; 1st Regi-
ment, 40
We're: Sixth Battalion, 454: 4th Battalion,
40; list Battalion. 1870; 9TH Battalion, 429,
and I'd Battalion, 412.
The business meeting of the Revolver
Club last evening was well attended. Four
new members were elected and participated
in the matches that followed the meeting
n committee of three was appointed by
President Bell to experiment and estab-
fish the proper handicap for the three
classes of revolvers, consisting of Iieuten-
ant w. NJ Farrow, Lieutenant Frank Holt
and F. f. Healy.
The disappearing target was then placed
in position, each contestant facing the tar
get with loaded revolver. Twenty seconds
only is allowed in which to shoot six shots
then the target disappears. Sergeant
Whitacre won the silver trophy, with a
score of twenty-five.