The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-13
PHYSICAL FORM IS IF IMPORTANCE Rifle Practice Benefits Health
 of Civilians INDOOR RANGES ARE BUILT Men Should Be Taught the construc- tion, Handling and Use of the
 Revolver-Policemen
 Are interested.
INDOOR RANGES ARE BUILT

Washington, November 12.-(Special)- In his annual report to the war depart ment for the southwestern division, Briga- dier General Frank D. Baldwin makes some interesting observations on rifle practice and the physical training of a soldier He says:
 q am convinced that the physical train ing of the soldier is not only as impor- tant and necessary as his training in tar get practice, but success in the latter de- pends upon the proper application of the former. For, without the proper physical condition, the soldier cannot endure the hardships incident to campaign and which always precede the actual combat. nor can he stand the excitement and nerv- ous tension bound to be encountered in the actual conflict. So, in order to have a sufficient number of men in the fight ing line, when the occasion demands the same, and then to have men who can shoot with precision aSd accuracy we must put all men through a physical training, developing their muscles, endu- rance, etc, along with the target train ing One is as important as the other and is complement of the other" In this connection it may be said that one of the greatest advantages of rife practice to civilians and to the militia is that being necessarily an outdoor sport the exercise afforded in the open air is ] of great personal benefit to those indulg- ing in it.
 The report states that the steps taken by the national board for the promo ton of rifle practice have had an excel lent effect in that division. The number of teams, representing the various states and territories of the division at the na- tional competition at Sea Girt this year, showed a marked increase in the number of teams over those sent last year, thus showing that greater interest was taken in the subject than ever before.
 Want Civilians to Practice. One of the principal objects of the na- tional board for the promotion of rifle practice is to secure sufficient indoor and outdoor ranges to admit of civilian rifle and revolver practice of course, under restrictions laid down by the war depart ment. It is generally admitted that this feature of the work Is of greatest impor- tance to the metropolitan police depart ments of the various cities. In this coun- try every policeman carries a revolver but it Is a well known fact that by far the great majority of them are anything but expert marksmen. In any street bat tie between criminals and officers there is always considerable chance that innocent citizens will be injured. The heads of the police departments in various cities are doing all they can to impress upon their men the necessity of learning to shoot straight and the advantages to an officer of knowing how to properly handle his revolver. The efforts of the national board to secure appropriations which will permit of such ranges being used in all large cities, indoor and with outdoor ranges in the various cities es- pecially for rifle practice has been recog- nized and heartily endorsed
 In Washington the police are permitted to practice in the indoor target range belonging to the. district militia and to this Major Richard Sylvester, superin- tendent of the Washington police, as- crbes the improvement to the marksman- ship of his men. Major Sylvester is at the head of the association of chiefs or metropolitan police, which includes the chiefs of police of all the large cities of the country. In discussing thlS SuDJect, Major Sylvester said
 Familiar With Firearms.
 '1t is important that the guardian of the peace should be familiar with the construction, handling and use of the re- volver he is armed with for self-defense or other emergencies. Aside from the carrying of the revolver as d weapon of defense, there are occasions when a mad dog or an injured animal of some kind must be relieved of it's suffering, when careless handling or \ misdrected shot might do irreparable damage to life, limb or property. To insure against accident aud tt, nrfat. fn o n a weapon by the police of Washington we insist upon inspection, instruction and target practice. Excellent results have followed this course and the Washing ton police force can now count among it's members many who are proficient and &C., curate in revolver practice. All the mem bers of the force indulge in this exercise when it does not interfere with their regu- lar duties. Last year the period of prac- tice was short. the members being ex- cused from further practice after secur- ing a score of twelve points. friendly spirit of rivalry was aroused, however, and the Revolver association of the Dis trict of Columbia, under command of Major James E. Bell of the District Nat ional Guard. the police department of San Francisco have indulged in several friend ly, yet spirited contests with members of our police force on the revolver range. These have greatly tended to evoke a proper appreciation and respect between the citizen and the police and have ad- vanced the knowledge of the latter on the revolver and its use.
 Use Inside Targets.
 This improvement is largely due to the courtesy of the commanding general of the district militia, who permits the use CT the inside target range in She armory for practice. In the competition with the Cail1ornia department, the distr ct team Was defeated by narrow margin but the higbtst individual score was made by Prlvate Bunn of the local force. The police after several shoots with the re- Volver association, displayed superiority and retain the handsome trophy donated py Captain John Doyle Carnody two years ago."
 contests between the revolver shots on the police force and revolver clubs com posed or citizens was inaugurated in this city and Is now being followed in many or the principal cities of the country. Should the National Board for the Pro- motion of Rifle Practice secure appro- priations for indoor target ranges which would be available for police practice and as well civilian practice. 1t would give a great impetus to such contests and couId not help but result in the police throueb- out the country becoming much more pro- ficent in the use of a weapon which fbev all carry.