Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-13
OF Inspector General Of
Rifle Practice in Maine.
CommendabIe Work Done by
Troops, last Season.
Recommendations Made for Coming
Seasons Work.

Year 1894, says:
The work of the season has been
Very largely OF an experimental nature.
it''sinuch as the new system differs
very materially from any system UNI
Ger which the Maine troops have
worried in the past. Considering the
lack Of range facilities in many organ
natlons. | think the work performed
highly cOmmendable. There are several
organizations which. as usual. have
failed to make the most of their oppor-
tuhities. but these instances are offset
by brilliant work in other organiza-
tons.
The seasons work cOnvinceS NE that
any company which will carefully
study Special Course c. and secure the
attendance of all members at the range
will find it comparatively easy to Sc
cure a high figure of merit-provided
the range facilities will permit qualiii-
cation in the sharpshoOtcr class.
'''I'he individual figure of merit for
the Guard is BOB. The Second Infantry
studs at 20. while the First Infantry
is close behind with 1873. The figure of
merit would have been much higher
had certain Of the companies been pro-
vided With suitable ranges. for one
thing, and had certain other companies
borne in mind that the qualification of
a few men in the higher class will not
compensate for entire neglect on the
part OF the remainder.
Company d of the First Infantry,
Norway has the honor Of leading the
entire Guard on its figure of merit. and
Company II of the Second Infantry,
Watervile, has the honor of coming in
second, closely pressed by Company +
of the Second Infantry, Dover"
In speaking of the ranges the inspcc-
tor says:
considerable progress was made
during the season in the matter of
range construction. and by the OPEN
ing Of the range season on May l. 1903,
there should be but few organizations
unlrovided With ranges which will per-
nit qualification in the SharpshOoter
class. Some ranges are of sufficient
length to permit qualification in the
Expert class. but this number will al
ways be limited. as it is difficult to find
tracts of land 1000 yards in length.
much time has been consumed in
the attempt to provide Il range at Au-
susta for Co. NJ, second Infantry. a
suitable site has been found which
would permit practice. up to and includ-
ing 600 yards. but it has thus far been
impossible 10 secure title to the prop
erty. The old range was used at 200 and
800 yards for a part OF the season.
II visited the range OF Co. H. ID Inf,
at Watervile in July and suggested
-
and satisfactory. These changes were
readily agreed to by the Hon. c. w.
Davis. mayor of the city. and were
promptly made under the direction of
Se1et ii. l.. Pepper. company inspector
of rifle practice. Near the close Of the
season. Scrgt. Pepper found that he
could secure Il 1000 yard range and
succeeded i'll making it temporarily
available for the last few days pr;:c-
tice. The long range pit should be &C
built and strcn2 thened before the be-
ginning of another season.
Iii speaking of next seasons COMPETE
lions. Col Dill says:
Until the State has a range which
will give at least II targets for stimuli
taneOuS use. | believe il will be better
to hold regimental competitions.
The Inspector makes the following
recommendations for next season:
l. That the l. companies and head
quarters OF the First Regiment send
teams of seven men and one substitute
to such range as may be chosen and
that the match be shot at 200 and $50
yards. the highest individual aggregate
to win the rcgimental championship.
DO
likewise required to send teams for "A
similar competition at such point as
may be desiEnatacd. the dates Of the
two competitions to be as close togeth-
er as possible
Ill. That the - men in each regi-
ment making the highest aggregate
be constituted the reeimeEtal team
ami the three men III each regiment
making the highest aggregate be sub
stitu1es to their respective teams.
~. That the 10 men in each regi-
n,ent making the next highest agSre-
gates he designated as the next 10.
V. That the two divisions of the
Shir's Company, Naval Reserve. send
teams Of seven men and one substitute
10 4 competition to be held at Portland.
Al: near us !lOSSiciN ~ N'i1 u'AtC, vi NV
rcri,ne1tal competitions. and that the
three competitors making the highest
aggregate at 200 and 500 yards be des-
iynated as the First Three.
vi. That these regimental COMPETE
lions and the Naval Reserve COMPETE
ton be held in the latter part of July.
VII That in the latter part Of Au-
ruct the tow regimentdl teams. the
\ext Ten from each regiment and the
First Three of the Naval Reserve be
brought together at such range rs may
he designated and that they be fur
nisbed With quarters and subsistence.
VIII. That the resimental teams
sl,iI shoot in the Inter- Regimental |
n,atc,, at 200. 900, 500 and 500 yards and |
that the substitutes, the Next Ten from !
earb resiment and the First Three of
The Naval Reserve be squadded ana
shoot at the same distances at the |
Sdle time.
IN. That the competitor making the
,;.bes, aggregate at the four ranges be
awarded q gold medal for the State ri
fte championship.
x THAT the l. competitors making
.ha b;ebast aggregate scores be desig-
>. ,rdars as the State rifle team