Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-04
GREATEST RIFLE MEET
Shows Revival of Interest in
Workmanship.
WORK OF ASSOCIATION
SEA GIRT SHOOT COMPARES WELL
WITH ENGLISH MATCHES.
Unusual Number of Entries-Weather
Conditions Ideal and Social
Side Prominent.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Staf.
SEA GIRT, N. j.. September 4.-The
nation has every reason to be proud
of it's marksmen, and the national board
for the promotion Of rifle practice. together
with the National Rife Association Of
America, which works in harmony with the
national board, to be highly gratifed at
the success of the rifle tournament now in
progress on the New Jersey state range
here. The national board for the promo
ton of rife practice was the outcome Of q
concerted movement by a handful Of en-
thusiasts who recognized the decadence Of
the art of shooting in America. due to the
disappearance of game and the fact that an
incentive must be provided In order to slim
ulate popular interest in sport on which
SO much of the nations welfare indirectly
depends. Basing their plea on the PROPOSE
ton that a soldier on the firing line Is val
liable only in proportion to his ability to hit
that at which he shoots, the friends Of rifle
practice that is to say, practice with the
official military rife Of the United States
secured from Congress legislation creating
the national board, which, in connection
with and under the direction of the War
Department, was to have charge Of rife
matches to be held under the auspices Of
the United States government and which
were to be open to teams and individuals
lishments. the Marine Corps and the Ma
tional Guard.
Plans for the Reserves.
In connection with this work, the national
board was charged with the duty OF devils
ing plans for a national marksmens re-
serve. and for providing rifle ranges
throughout the United States conveniently
situated so as to afford practice for all
those directly or indirectly connected with
the military and the naval service and in
addition, such private individuals as wish
ed to attain a familiarity with the use OF
the firearms adopted for government use
without mourning additional obligations
which would be entailed by their joining
the National Guard.
Created in March, 1908. within slightly
more than two years the national board,
ably assisted by the National Rife Associ-
alton, has succeeded In reviving the wan
ing interest In this sport until the meet
ing now in progress, although but the third
held under It's direction, Is universally con-
country, and one which compares very IA
vorably with the great English meetings
held annually at Bisley.
Some idea Of the magnitude of the I'M
dertaking may be had from the fact that
every stitch of canvas belonging to the
state of New Jersey Is stretched to accom-
modate the visiting rifemen of other states,
the regulars detailed here as scorers and
markers and the regular army officers on
duty in connection with the tournament
having brought their own tentage. The
total humber Of marksmen In attendance
Is estimated at approximately one thou
sand. which. 1t should be remembered. are
the pick of the military riflemen Of the
country, chosen after q process Of careful
selection In order that each OF the thirty
seven teams, representing the army, navy,
Marine Corps and National Guard might be
the very best those organizations could pro-
duce in the contest for the national trophy.
Thus those now contesting In the team and
Individual matches with the military rife
and revolver constitute the very cream OF
Americas military marksmen. and 1t is
conservatively estimated that at the pres
emit rate OF progress this country will have
within the next two or three years at least
nifty marksmen where II now has one. This
does not take into account the Thousands
OF men who are familiar with the use OF
the national arm, but who have been un-
able. because OF limited facilities -