The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-07
RIFLEMEN TO MEET
PLAN TO ORGANIZE A SOUTHERN
RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
SAVANNAH TAKES THE LEAD.
COMMITTEES OF RECENT INTER-
STATE SHOOT TO MAKE REPORTS.

Association Similar to the National
Rifle Association PrOposed-PrO-
motors of the Project Have Re-
ceived Many Assurances of CO.
operation From other Cities.
Might Get Handsome Appropri-
alton From Congress-Fosterers of
Plan Think That Time Is Ripe for
Advertisements Advanced in
Favor of the Organization.
Capt. w. B. Stephens, executive off,
Ger of the recent interstate shoot, held
under the auspices of the Savannah
Military Rife Range Association, has
called a meeting at the Guards Hall
Wednesday night to receive the re-
ports of those in charge of the various
departments of the shoot.
At this meeting it is purposed to
form a Southern Rifle Association. All
persons in the city interested in rifle
shooting or revolver matches are in
vited to be present, and aid in the for
nation of the organization. Those who
have fostered the movement have
been working quietly for several
months, and much interest in the pro-
posed association has been aroused.
1t is intended to form an organiza-
ton similar to the National Rife Asso-
citation, under the auspices of which
all future events may be pulled off.
The movement has found a ready and
general response from the military.
Some time SINCE even when the move
ment was in it's embryotic form,
queries were received from Jackson
vile and other cities as to the proba-
BILE scope of the proposed organiza-
ton, in which assurances were tender
ed of the hearty support of the military
of the respective cities.
Reasons for Organization.
The reasons advanced by the pro-
motors of the project for effecting such
an organization are manifold. First
of all, it's promoters submit, 1t will
enfurther interest in rifle shooting.
The interest in the North, since the
formation of the national organization
has grown wonderfully. The other
cities in neighboring states have
shown their desire to follow the lead
of the Savannahians, and those who
are plotting the affai< by that now is
the time to effect the organization.
while the interest engendered at the re-
cent interstate shoot is still keen.
The onus of working up the recent
shoot in Savannah fell to a few indi-
viduals. The success of the shoot was
attributable mainly to their untiring eff
forts. But the working up and manag-
Ing of the contest entailed a hardship
on these few individuals, and forced
them to spend much valuable time in
its interest.
The province Of the proposed associ-
alton will be to manage all shoots. A
general committee, formed of repre-
GenfatiyaS al tho mann hare Of tho
association will comprise the Execu-
tive Committee. Thus it is destined to
take the work out of the hands of
few individuals from one city, and put
1t in charge of a representative COM
mittee.
Appropriation for Rifle Practice.
An appropriation of considerable
proportions was recently made by Con-
gress to the end that rifle practice
might be stimulated in the United
States. The National Association has
already obtained q part of this appro-
priation, and it is thought that sim
liar organization in the Southern states
could secure a neat sum from this
source.
The various committees in charge of
the recent meet will make their re-
ports at this meeting. A general sum-
mary of the work accomplished by
each department in connection with
the contest, together with suggestions
which experience may have demon
strated will conduce to improved serv-
ice another year. will be made.
The officers who will submit their
reports, and to whom is due. in the
main, the success attained by the
shoot, are: Capt. w. E. Coney, statis-
teal officer, Capt w. G.. Austin, post
adjutant and range officer: Capt. c.
H. Richardson. quarter master and
commissary. Capt. ]. S. Postell. presi-
dent, S. M. r. R. lssn., and executive
committeeman. Capt. J. NJ. Dreyer,
treasurer. Capt. f. W. Garden. chair
Stephens, executive officer