The Mankato free press., 1903-08-07
MUST SHOOT STRAIGHT
Adjutant General L-ibbay Says Target
Practice Is important.
Minnesota Guards Are Hampered BY
Lack of Appropriation.
Good Effect Of Artillery Contest Is Ap.
parent, Says Report.
From Wednesdays Daily.

ADJ Gen. E. ID. Libbey, in his anual
report submitted to Gov. Van SAINT yes-
terday, emphasizes the Importance of
target practice as a means of preparing
the state militia for service in time Of
war. Gen. Libbey says that Minnesota
and other states have not given proper
attention to the subject
Late wars have emphasized the para
mount Importance of Workmanship as o
factor in determining armed conflicts,
and it is true that until recently the
state has not given this subject the at
tention which IL deserves. Minnesota,
however, has made determined effort in
this direction, but here again we are
hamI ared by lack of appropriations for
the purpose
interstate artillery contests between
Minnesota and Wisconsin were held in
the fall of 1901 and 1902, the former at
Lake City, Minn., and the latter at Camp
Douglas, Wis. The Wisconsin team won
the first contest and Minnesota the last.
The most striking result of these con-
tests is the marked improvement shown
by all the organizations participating"
Speaking of the artillery contests be-
tween Minnesota and Wisconsin, George
c. Lampert, commander of the First ar
tillery, says in his report to the adiutant
general:
"The efficiency of artillery is proper.
tionate to the gunner's ability to hit the
mark. Measured by results, these inter
state conte SITS have proved to be power
full stimulants to good Workmanship,
both states showing a marked improve
ment over last years practice. While
the improvement of the Minnesota team
was truly remarkable, if judged by the
number of hits and the increased score,
the work of the Wisconsin team evidenc-
ed careful and intelligent training.
"This is especially apparent in the
average distance of their shots from the
center of the target, where an improve
ment of 80 per cent is shown over last
years average, the Minnesota team inn
proving 2S per cent over its former aver
age Since this method takes into con-
sideration the relative value of the
misses as well as the actual hits on the
target, it affords truer index of the
amount of injury which would be in
ficted on an enemy in actual conflict
where percussion shell and chrapnel are
used"
The report of w w. Price, assistant
inspector general of the First brigade,
shows that the condition of the brigade
has improved greatly since 1901. In
spector Price said that in that year the
captains were inclined to carry too many
dead men on their rolls. There were lO4
men inspected that year who had not
complied with the laws and were not en-
titled to draw pay. Mr.. Price says that
conditions in this respect are much
better.
The report of the pension division
shows that of 66l applications, 324 were
granted and 165 denied, representing an
aggregate annual income to the pension
ers of $34, $3.50. The average rate per
month is $ll.l6. The statement shows
an increase of 65 per cent of the work
done by the division during the previous
two years. OF the pensions granted,
twenty were for service in the Spanish
American war.