Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-10-06
important Action
Of Rifle Association


WASHINGTON. Oct. LIN the
opinion OF military experts the action
recently taken by the National Rifle
association OF America at Its annual
meeting at Sea Girt, New Jersey,
looking toward the adjustment OF
annual membership in the association
and combining the membership to
clubs or other organizations will
have a most important bearing upon
the future of rifle practice in this
country. Heretofore the National RI.
lie association has been composed OF
life members. annual members and
affiliated clubs. 1t is now proposed
to make 1t strictly a central or gov
erning body for the shooting clubs
Of the country, both civilian and mil.
itary. and to confine Its membership
to representatives OF these organiza-
lions rather than to individuals. The
association recommended to the
board OF directors that suitable ac-
ton should be taken to effect this
change and there is no doubt the rec
ommendation will be adopted. In
treating on this subject In his annual
report Lieutenant Albert 8. Jones, the
secretary Of the association, pointed
out that although only five years
have elapsed since the reorganization
Of the National Rifle association
there are affiliated with 1t fifty active
shooting organizations representing
nearly every section Of the country
and every class Of shooting. Within
the last year eighteen organizations,
eleven OF them military. five civilian
and two state organizations, affiliated
with the National association.
Another action by the association
cannot fall to receive favorable COM
ment from all those interested In RI.
ne shooting and that was the adop-
ton Of q resolution suggesting to the
board Of directors the ACCESSIBILITY OF
holding the NATIONAL meeting OF the
association at tho same time and
place with the contest for the nation
Al trophy. 1t was never intended that
the contest for the national trophy
should be separated from that Of the
National Rifle association and the act
Of congress creating the trophy pro-
vided that 1t should be shot for under
ruleas and regulations Of the national
board which Is largely made up OF
trustees OF the National Rifle associa-
ton. This year, however. the ma.
tional match got side tracked into a
strictly army competition, contrary
to the wishes Of the national board
which brought the national trophy
into existence, by uniting these two
contests the number Of prizes Will be
greatly increased, as will the attend.
ance, for 1t Ii impossible for many Of
the expert marksmen to take four or
six weeks away from their business
In the fall Of the year to devote to
these contests. as would be necessary
were they held separately.
The announcement was made Mt
the annual meeting OF several addl-
tional prizes which will be offered
next year for long distance shooting
as well as In the revolver matches.
In his annual report Lieutenant
Jones suggested that all affiliated
military Organizations hold a compe-
tition for the National Rifle associa-
ton medal previous to the fall meet
ing and send to such meeting. at the
organizations expense, the winner as
the official representative OF that or
g~anization In the presidents match
for the individual military champion.
ship OF the United States. Many for.
eign countries have q plan similar to
this, the difference being that the
preliminary shoots are held by coun.
ties or environments. Such an ar
rangement would stimulate a great
deal Of friendly rivalry in the organi.
xations for the honor OF being sent to
the big shoots.