The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-16
MONEYFORTHE SHOOT
WILL he ASKED OF THE Gov
ERNoR BY COL DAMN.
$3.50 TO $1,000 WANTED.
TO MAKE STATE RIFLE CONTESTS
WHAT THEY SHOULD BE.

Col. Cam VIII Leave Tomorrow
for Atlanta-wiII See the Governor
and Ask That a Portion of the
Military Appropriation BE Set
Apart for the Purpose-Easily
Fifty, and Possibly sixty, Conn
pany Teams Would Enter the Con-
tests at AvondaIe Rifle Range.
Would Be an Encampment Feat
ure-Great Interest Shown in Rifle
Practice All over the State.
The Governor will be asked this week
20 set apart a portion of the military ap-
preparation to defray the expenses OF a
contest in rife shooting for the Geor-
gia State Troops. Col. George T. Cam.
inspector general of rifle practice, Geor-
gia State Troops, will leave tomorrow
for Atlanta, and, while there, will call
upon the Governor to induce him to de-
vote a portion of the appropriation to
transportation and subsistence for the
teams that may be entered in the shoot.
1t is proposed to hold the contest at
the Avondale rife range, near Savannah,
where the compa MES gathered last year
for the shoot. Col. Cam, If he is sue
cessful In getting the Governor to allow
some of the military funds to go to the
purpose, expects to combine an encamp-
ment feature with that of rife practice
and contests. and in this project he has
the support of all the officers with whom
he has talked.
The encampment, If held, will last a
1aNyc
will be devoted to practice and the 9TH
ers to the competition. In this way, both
the advantages of encampment and rife
practice, Col. Cam holds, can be secured.
He would be in charge of the camp as, in
his position, he exercises jurisdiction over
all matters appertaining to rifle practice,
but the ranking officer among the troops
would have charge of details Of the camp
conduct.
From $500 to 5000 is desired by the in
spector to hold the shoot properly. If
that amount is allowed him by the Gov
ernor he says he is confident that fifty
company teams will gladly enter the con-
tests. He believes there would be as
many as sixty. but gives fifty as the
minimum number. Last year there were
thirty-three company teams, and the
shoot, with that number, was successful.
With so many more entered, it is safe to
say that much greater success might be
expected.
Great interest has been manifested all
over the state, Col. Cam says, in rife
practice, and a great many inquiries have
reached him from those who would like
to participate. Ranges have been con-
structed since the last shoot at several
points in the state, and the number of
marksmen and sharpshooters has been
considerably increased. Far better scores
than were made last year are expected,
If the shoot is held this year.
If the Governor allows the money need
ed Col. Cam says, there will be no diff
Guilty about having the shoot some time
during August. Enough time for prepar-
alton will be afforded. and the various
companies will be able to make their ar
rangements for sending representatives.
The month will see no great activity in
industrial pursuits, and, for that reason,
Col Cam thinks, there should be no
difficulty about securing a large attend
ance.
No like expenditure of money, Col.
Cam says, could result in so much good
to the military of the state. A practical
and lasting effect could be gained, and
the various companies would receive an
impetus in rife practice interest that
would result in the establishment of more
ranges and the making of many excellent
shots.
Only one difficulty now offers. 1t is
feared that the recent decision relative
to the expenditure of the public property
fund may have left the Governor unable
to provide for an expenditure for a state
shoot. Some time ago he told the inspec-
tor that he was ready to do anything he
could to further the important branch of
military training he represents. If the
military appropriation will admit, it is
cordially hoped by military men all over
the state that the shoot will be author
lied,