The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-09-17
SOUTHERN RIFLEMEN
MAY ORGANIZE A RIFLE AssOCIA-
TION OF THEIR OWN.
SUCH A PLAN CONSIDERED.
PROMINENT MEN WILL BE INTER-
ESTED IN 1T.

The scope of the Proposed New As
sociation-Mceti viii Be Called
shortly TO Learn Sentiment of Sa-
Vannah Rinemen and Leading Cit
ixens-Nev Association Might Get
Part of the Recent Congressional
ApprOprintion-Tenm Could De
Sent to Olympic Games at Chicago.
Guards Going to the Range on
Thanksgiving Day.
1t is the desire of the Of
ficers of the Rife Range Associa-
ton to keep alive the recently revived
interest in rife shooting. While no
definite plans have yet been formulated
there is a movement on foot to organ
ize a Southern Rife Range Associa-
ton. Those who have the project I'M
der consideration, and who will be the
most influential in carrying the best
ideas of the leading rihemen to a sue
cessful conclusion, intend, in the near
future, to call mass meeting of all
citizens of Savannah, who are inter-
ested in rife-shooting.
1t is the idea of those taking the in
itiative to get not only the leading
riflemen of the community, but also
the leading citizens interested in the
plan to form an association, the scope
of which will include all of the South
ern States, and of which the Savannah
Military Rifle Range Association will
be but part When an impetus has
been given the movement by it's in
dorsement by the leading citizens of
Savannah, the other cities in the various
Southern States will be asked to CO.
operate.
While the Iron Is Hot.
1t is the desire of those who are
working up the movement to start it
at the earliest practicable date. while
the interest engendered in North Caro-
lima, South Carolina, Alabama, Flori-
da and Georgia by the recent shoot at
Savannah is still keen.
Much could be gained from the or
ganization of such an association. A
national military rifle range associa-
tion has been but recently formed. By
"a recent act of Congress, $4,000 has
been appropriated to be expended in
1urthering the interest in rifle prac-
tice. OF that amount the National AS
GSNAatAph CAHCNA0 ~ SCI d SHdTts anu
it is the contention of the originators
of the plan to organize the Southern
Association that a share could be Sc
cured as easily by such an organization
as by the National Association.
As stated, nothing definite has been
done in the matter and there will prob
ably be nothing done until after the
sentiment of the rifemen and leading
citizens of Savannah have been learn
ed. 1t has been suggested that. in the
event such an association is formed.
n representative team could be selected
TO participate in the rifle contests in
the Olympic Games which win be held
in Chicago in 1904.
officers VIII Report.
Capt. William B. Stephens. the cx-
ecutive officer of the rifle associati ton,
has written a letter to the officers of
the various departments of the Inter
state Shoot, asking them to wind up
all matters in their respective depart
ments at the earliest possible date. so
that the result of their labors can be
reported to the general meeting from
which they received their authority.
capt. stephens asks that the report
be accompanied by a schedule of any
property on hand which may be used
at some future date. together with the
place where such property has been
stored. If it cannot be held over he
requests that the same be sold to best
advantage and the proceeds turned
over to the treasurer.
The communication of Capt. Stephens
was addressed to the following officers:
Capt. w. E. Coney, statistical officer;
Capt. w G. Austin, post adjutant and
range officer; Capt. G. H. Richardson,
quartermaster and commissary: Capt.
]. c.. Postell, president S. NJ. r. r. AS
socia ton, and executive committee
man; Capt j. NJ. Dreyer, treasurer
Capt. F. w. Garden, chairman of the
Finance Committee.
Some of the committeeman have not
yet turned in their full report. As soon
as this is done, a meeting of the asso-
citation will be called. and a report
made. At this meeting the first steps
will be taken toward the formation of
the Southern Interstate Rifle Range
Association. The incalculable amount
of good resultant from the called meet
ing last June leads those who have the
matter under consideration to believe
that the proposition will meet with
favor.