Evening star., 1902-09-13

of about seventy two tackies from the last
ordered cruise of the battalion Court
martial IS threatened.
1t Is announced that owing to press of
private business, Captain Frederick T Web
ster, Company c, 1st Separate Battalion
has decided to tender his resignation in the
near future.
On National Lines.
The effort Of the National Rifle Associa-
ton OF America to reorganize upon truly
national lines, as announced at its annual
meeting held during the recent interstate
shooting tournament at Sea Girt is at
tracing widespread attention. The presi-
dent of the organization, Gen. Bird w
Spencer, has addressed a communication
relating to the matter to President Roose-
VeH. as follows
The National Rifle Association is i'm
pressed with the necessity for more general
and efhc1ent work, with a view to preparing
recruits for future wars to act as efficient
marksmen; because when placed in the
held other necessary training and often
times the lack of range facilities preclude
the possibility of training as ritlemen The
National Rifle Association has been able to
do a great deal of work in the past but the
held of usefulness Is SO great and along
INES as Vet untouched that 1t is decided
provided such course of procedure meets
the approval Of the administration and the
people generally, to make earnest effort
to train civilian rifiemen, particularly the
young men, who would be likely to serve in
case of war.
AT the present time practically no range
facilities exist in this country. The mill
taIy arm can be procured by men of the
army or National Guard only, and the peo-
pie in general are unaware of the necessity
OF training men with the military piece,
although there Is an immense amount Of
shooting being done throughout the coun-
try In other countries the need of general
, rifle practice is thoroughly appreciated, and
in I'D
and Great Britain, every facility is offered
for cultivating craftsmanship.
We believe if the matter Is properly pre-
sented and carried out the same degree of
encouragement that is given to 1t in Eng
land will be secured in this country; par
ticularly will this be the case if 1t is un-
derstood that the administration heartily
approves the course the National Rifle As
sociation proposes to follow.
Special Board Suggested.
at has therefore been decided, provided
1T meets your approval to create a special
board Of trustees. consisting of seven per-
sons. to be elected by the directors of the
National Rifle Association, and seven to be
appointed by the President of the United
States. who, together with the president of
the National Rifle Association as its chair
man. will take special charge of the mat
ter of energetic promotion Of rifle practice
throughout the United States.
IL is also desired that greater degree
Of cooperation shall be had between the
army and the National Rifle Association.
In the past our bylaws have covered ex-
| off1cio membership of a number Of army
officers. who have paid little or no atten-
| ton to the matter: therefore, it has been
| deemed wise. in revising our bylaws, to pro-
vide for definite appointment by the Presi-
| dent of four army officers and one navy off,
| Ger. who shall be eX-officio members of the
board of directors. These officers, because
| Of their interest and experience in the mat
! ter Of rife practice, should give valuable
counsel In the framing of regulations, &C.
1T will be the aim Of our association to
secure by means of federal and state legis-
| lation ADEQUATE range facilities throughout
| the country. In order that 1t should be
known what range facilities there are, and
practically what there should be- we would
| urge the appointment of board of officers
for the purpose of investigating the present
| range facilities of the country and to rec
ommend what should be provided in the
way OF additional facilities during the next
five years.
Taught by War.
"In view of what has been learned by the
Spanish american and South African wars,
1t would seem that it was within the scope
Of investigation Of this board to advise