Evening journal., 1905-11-15

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 Sc
cure appropriations which will permit
OF such ranges being used in all large
cities, indoor and with the outdoor
ranges in the various cities especially
for rife practice. has been recognized
and heartily endorsed.
HELP TO POLICEMEN.
In Washington the police are per-
mitted to practice i'm the indoor target
range belonging to the District Militia
and to this Major Richard Sylvester,
Superintendent Of the Washington
police, ascribes the improvement Of
the craftsmanship of his men. Major
Sylvester is at the head Of the associa-
zion of chiefs of metropolitan police
which includes the chiefs OF police OF
all the large cities of the country. In
discussing this subject, Major Sylvester
said:
1t is important that the guardian OF
the peace should be familiar with the
construction. handling and use of the
revolver he is armed with for self
defense or other emergencies. Aside
from the carrying of the revolver as
a weapon of defense. there are occa-
sions when a mad dog or an injured
animal OF some kind must be relieved of
its suffering when careless handling or
a inisdirected shot might do irreparable
damage to life. limb or property. To
insure against accident and in order to
secure proper use OF the weapon by
- Of
inspection, instruction and target prac-
tice. Excellent results have followed
this course and the Washington police
force can now count among its. mem
bers many who are proficient and ac-
curate in revolver practice. All the
members OF the force indulge i'm this
exercise when it does not interfere with
their regular duties.
Last year the period OF practice was
short, the members being excused from
Further practice after securing a score
Of twelve points. A friendly spirit of
rivalry was aroused. however. and the
Revolver Association of the District of
Columbia under command of Major
James Il. Bell OF the District National
Guard, the police department of San
Francisco have INDUCED i'm several
AAANAAoANf Stl EilIlltQ contests with
members of our police force on the re-
volver range. These have greatly tend
ed to evoke a proper appreciation and
respect between the citizen and the
police and have advanced the lxnowI-
edge Of the latter on the revolver and
its use.
POLICE USE ARMORY.
This improvement is largely due to
the courtesy OF the commanding gen
eral Of the District Militia, who permits
the use of the inside target range in
the arnIory for practice. In the COM
petition with the California department.
the District team was defeated by a
narrow margin hut the highest indivi-
dual score was made by Private Bum
of the local force. The police after
several shoots with the revolver asso-
citation, displayed superiority and re-
tain the handsome trophy donated by
Captain John Doyle Carmody two years
ago"
Contest between the revolver shots
on the police force and revolver clubs
composed OF citizens was inaugurated
in this city and is now being followed
in many OF the principal cities OF the
country. Should the National Board FOR
the Promotion of Rifle Practice secure
appropriations for indoor target ranges
which would be available for police
lpractice, It would give a great impetus