The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-16

tests at Fort Riley to he Passed
Upon by National Board of Rifle
Practice This MOnth-The Estab-
fishing of Shooting Galleries and
Field Ranges to be Considered.
By r. NJ. Larner.
Washington, Oct. 15.-What will
probably be the most important meet
ing of the National Board for the Pro-
motion of Rifle Practice since that
body was organized under act of Con-
gress several years ago, will be held
at the War Department Saturday, Oct.
% The national board is composed
of twenty-one members, including five
members from the regular army and
navy establishment, eight trustees of
the National Rifle Association and
eight members from the country at
large. II was authorized by Congress
in order that the army and navy, the
militia and civilians interested in rifle
practice might be drawn into closer
communication and that ways and
means might be devised by which the
interest of the general public in rifle
practice might be stimulated.
AS an initial step in this direction
Congress appropriated funds for the
purchase of a national trophy to be
shot for annually under regulations
prepared by the board and fitted up d
range at Fort Riley, Kan, where the
shoot took place this year. The meet
ing of the national board is held at this
time to pass upon the awards made at
that contest The board was also in
structed to formulate a plan for a ma
tional marksman's reserve, which plan
has been agreed upon and approved by
the Secretary of War.
For "a Mnrksmen's Reserve.
At the coming meeting it is expected
that steps will be taken for the prepar-
alton of bill to be submitted to Con-
gress early in December embodying, to
some extent, at least, the plans of the
board. 1t is not expected that Con-
gress will act on all the suggestions of
the board at one time as the scheme
for securing the marksman's reserve is
very comprehensive and begins with
the education of boys in military
schools and provides for the encourage
ment of rife practice for both civilians
and members of the militia on large
and liberal scale.
The board recommends the establish
ment of shooting galleries and field
ranges; the distribution of arms and
ammunition; supervision and instruc-
ton; inducement for practice. such as
hoH or nd 40
cation and distribution of literature
bearing on this subject. AS an in
atial step in this direction the board
recommends an annual appropriation
of $1.00O.000 for five years to be ex-
pended in the purchase and equipment
of ranges under the direction of the
Secretary of War. 1t is also very de-
sirous that the standard military rifle
in use by this government should be
made available for civilian practice,
and it is probable some provision to
this end will be made in the bill which
the board will recommend.
The New Military Rife.
Hundreds of inquiries have been re-
ceived from rifle clubs, instructors at
military schools and individuals as to
how this arm can be procured, and
there seems to be little doubt that rifle
practice would be stimulated, especial
ly among civilians, by a distribution of
the Krag rifle. The Krag carbine will
soon be discarded by the cavalry arm
of the regular establishment, and the
national board will seek to obtain pos
session of them for distribution to the
military schools at the rate of about
ten pieces to each school, where army
officers are detailed as instructors. 1t
is also proposed that one carbine for
each twenty-five scholars should be
issued to public schools possessing in
door ranges and carrying on rifle prac-
tice.
When the new Springfield rifle is is
sued to the regular establishment,
about one hundred thousand Krags
will be available for distribution if Con-
gress will give them to the board.
In preparing its recommendations,
the committee has given much consid-
Grafton to the plan adopted by the civ
ilized nations of the world for the pur-
pose of encouraging rifle shooting
among their citizens. 1t is believed
that if the plans of the national board
are followed out this country will, in
few years, possess an army of quail
flied marksmen to the number of five
hundred thousand to one million men.
Must Depend on Recruits.
"Our permanent military establish
ment or regular army must be small,
said Assistant Secretary of War oliver
to-day, land in the event of a war
with one or more of the first-class
Powers of the world we must depend
very largely upon the militia and the
volunteers for our fighting force. With
the modern long-range small arm it
is all important that the soldiers should
know how to shoot and to hit what
they shoot at. To those who are ac-
customed to the use of firearms we
believe one thing is evident beyond
all question, and that is. that a high
degree of skill i'm rife and revolver
shooting and the confidence which d
knowledge Of this skill gives. Will make
q timid man brave, and a brave man
more courageous"
Acting Secretary OF War Oliver is
the president of the national board.
and among the members are Gen. Bird
w. Spencer of New Jersey. Maj. Gen.
Charles +. Roe of New York, Gen.
George II. Harries of the District OF
Columbia Mr.. j. A. Haskell and Mr..
George Gould Of New York city, Gen.
Lawrason Riggs of Maryland, Col.
Henry NJ. Taylor of Ohio, Col. James
II. Fryer Of Boston and Col. A. r..
1awton Of Savannah.
ARREST OF WOMAN
E0I 1 0WE0 A EIDE