Evening journal., 1905-12-07
MORE MONEY FOR
NATIONAL GUARD
Important Amendment To
Militia Law Will Be Pre-
Sented to Congress
- -

Washington. ID. c., December IA
very important amendment to the mill
tia law. popularity known as the Dick
bill. after its author. Senator Dick,
which became operative January n.
1908. viii be presented during the COM
ing session OF Congress. The act now
provides for an annual appropriation
of one million dollars for the use of the
national guard OF the various States
and Territories and under Il the efn-
cheney OF the National Guard has been
greatly -is-ties,-f,eeResed
TO add one million dollars 10 the ap-
preparation. OF which a part viii be
available for the acquiring of sites for
rife ranges. the promotion OF rifle prac-
tice and the construction, maintenance
and equipment Of shooting galleries and
suitable target ranges The new bill
viii also allow the States to purchase
army ordnance stores. quartermaster
stores and camp equipage from the War
Department az the prices listed for the
regular troops. The Secretary of War
is authorized TO relieve the States Of
unserviceable clothing on proper re-
port from the inspecting officer instead
OF from a board of survey and he may
direct that such clothing be destroyed
and the States relieved of accountable
ity for It. The bill win also make suit
able provision for the hiring and for
aging Of horses and draft animals for
the use of troops and quartermasters.
The new measure win be designed TO
correct the defects in the Dick bill.
make. available more money for the
general use Of the National Guard and
10 provide a means by which the
B. d
rifle raiges and shooting galleries which
are so necessary to the development of
rifle practice IN the National Guard
and among civilians. It is believed the
bill viii have the support of all the
officers and men Of the National Guard.
and Of all others interested i'm rifle
practice.
General Bird w. Spencer. commano e
ing the National Guard of New Jersey
has been in Washington on business I'm
connection with the aNtional Rifle AS
sociation. of which he is president
The scarcity of rifle ranges through
out the United States" said General
Spencer. lis TO be regretted. but the
National Rife Association. working In
harmony with the National Board FOR
the Promotion Of Rifle Practice. is do
ing all I'm its power to encourage target
shooting with both pistol and rifle and
bids fair TO meet with much success,
i'm the near future. IL Is indeed unfOr.
tunate that target facilities In the diff.
ferent States are so inadequate and ev.
cry effort should be made TO Improve
the present situation. Extensive i'm
provements are now being made at Sc.
Girt, which. when completed. viii maxi
il the largest and best equipped riN
range in the world. There will be 8
targets at 200 yards. 40 for each OF tn
500. 500. 900 and 1000 yard firing point
and A. at 500 yards, together with .
revolver targets and "A skirmls
groups. The membership of man
shooting clubs in this country woul
be materially increased and a create
amount OF enthusiasm displayed
ranges were more numerous. Shootin
at makeshift targets, such as mla
clubs are forced TO use, is not advan
tageous."
1t has not yet been decided whethe
the next National Shoot will be held q
Sea Grit Creedmoor New York. q
Fort Riley Kansas. but the match ma
again take place at Sea Girt ON accour
of the improved condition of tina
range.
Want to Organize Clubs.
The National Board for the Promo
tion Of Rifle Practice and the Nationi
Rifle Association Of America. the tw
organizations which are doing to muo
to encourage practice with the militaI
rifle and revolver, with a view TO trair
ing as many able-bodied American eli
liens as possoble in their use. so tn.
America can maintain its proud pos
ton as a nation of marksmen. ha'
been in receipt of hundreds OF lettei
OF inquiry from men in different par
Of the country who desire to organi;
government rifle clubs. asking VIII
the government is doing at the prese;
time 10 encourage such organization
For the beneht OF al those interestl
IN this subject and who would ike