The Washington times., 1902-05-26
Bill Favorably Reported to
House ExciteS Gen.
eral Interest.
MEASURE LIKELY TO PASS
Provision for Trophy and Prizes fer
Best Rifle Shots in Army, Navy,
Marine Corps, and Militia 0rganiza-
tions at Annual Cost Of $4,000.

No bill has been reported this ses-
sion from the House Committee on Mil
itary Affairs that has excited keener
interest among the officer OF Army.
Navy Marine Corps. and members OF the
National Militia than the one appro-
priating 10000 for a national trophy
and prizes for rifle competition.
Representative Mondell of Wyoming.
who takes a lively interest in all mill
tary matters, feels quite confident that
the bill will be acted on By the House
before adjournment. There is no ques-
tion in his mind but that It will pass
by a good majority. He reported the
bill to the House. Speaking OF the meas
ure last evening. he said:
Stimulate Rifle Practice.
'In my Judgment the provision for
national trophy, medals. and other
prizes for craftsmanship to be COM
peted for by the Army. Navy. Marine
Corps. and members Of the National
Militia will result in greatly stimulat
ing and encouraging rife practice among
the men OF our regular military estab-
lishment and also among the men OF the
militia.
There can be no doubt but what
the effectiveness of troops in modern
warfare depends very largely upon their
craftsmanship. In the war now in
progress in South Africa the success
OF the Beers in repulsing attacks
by vastly superior numbers. and in in
ficting great punishment on much bet
ter drilled and organized troops has
been due very largely to their knowl-
edge and expert use Of the rifle.
THE invention OF the modern small
caiiber rife, with its great range and
carrying power. has vastly accentuated
the Importance OF good craftsmanship,
and the army which contains the larg-
est number of good marksmen will in
future wars, other things being equal.
have a vast advantage over its adyeT-
-aries.
Regulars Have Practice.
1T IL true that the men or our regu-
lar military establishment have a con-
siderable amount of target practice. and
undoubtedly are as proficient in marks
panship. man for man, as the men OF
any other army But our citizen SOL
iiery. upon whom we must depend in
ime OF war for the bulk OF our troops.
ire not generally proficient in the
" the rife. and it is believed that this
Measure. which provides a national
rophy and other prizes TO be competed
or by the members of our regular mill
airy establishment and our militia or
-anizations will revive interest in and
realty stimulate rifle practice among
he National Guard. and by reason OF
he rivalry between the organizations
aise the standard of craftsmanship in
he regular military establishment as
veil
Prizes in Several Countries.
This legislation is in the line Of
,ractice and proposed legislation Of sew
raj countries. notably Switzerland and
treat Britain. in which. as in the United
itates. the military education by con-
criptlon OF the whole male population
S not possible.
1T has developed by recent experi-
nee that the ability to hit a mark IL
very large part of the value OF the
soldier. When cOnscription
5 not possible. the encouragement OF
life firing as a military sport affords
be government of 4 free country the
pportunity to give to the male citizen
t for military service at least part OF
he training which is necessary in war.
low important this part is can be shown
: numerous instances cited from his
Dry in the last century where good
hots without discipline have been able
D withstand the finest troops. II IS
lso part of the soldiers instruction
'hiCh requires much time. labor. AMI
expenditure. as shown by the following
Sufficient to Qualify.
''To qualify regiment of volunteers
5 marksmeR, each man to fire $50
lots. with a range having ten targets.
will REQUIRE. at the rate OF ordinary
looting. two months or more. In the
astc incident 70 the time OF war. when
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