Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-02-23


devote the money received from the
government to equip and maintain
H. II is proposed that this range
shall be open to civilian clubs. Mich.
lgan is making great strides in
the direction Of the organization of
civilian rifle clubs. Several sites
Tor the range are contemplated In
the vicinity of Detroit.
The Second Regiment of the New
York National Guard at Sdhenecta.
dy, offers Il trophy to be awarded to
the company making the best figure
OF merit. Individual work. In
marksmans class. for the months of
January, February and March. A
number OF medals and prizes are
also offered By this regiment
Friends of rifle practice will be
gratfied to lean that rife sootinr
has been revived in Topeka, Kansas.
There has been no organized rifle
Club III Topeka since 1883 when the
old rifle club dsbandcd. A now
club has been organized with the
same name. There are Il number Of
expert rifle shots in and about Tope
ka, and the club should do well.
Those who are interested in the
Presidents recommendation as to
rifle shooting in the schools should
note that the Preparatory Schools
Riiie Association of Great Britain
encourages rifle practice In prepare
tory schools, by practice with boar
MINIATURE and air rifles. Lord
Roberts the distinguished soldier,
Is president of the association. Com
petitions are held three times yearly
1t %. 80 and 100 yards. TAEco
challenge shields. of st. George ST
Patrick and ST. Andrew are provid
Ell, one for each competition. They
are modelled in sterling silver. In
this connection, mir. Birrel, president,
of the board of education has an
nounced in the House OF Commons
that the educational authorities had
been given permission, under Ger
tain restrictions, to allow children
of certain ages to be taught to shoot
at miniature ranges. the instruction
to be paid for out of the public
funds
First Lieutenant Z. II. Reubottam,
of the 9th cavalry, who has devoted
considerable attention to rifle prac
tice, strongly favors preliminary
practice before going on the range.
He says the preliminary trials do
two things: first, they teach the
soldier how to aim mis- piece; sec
ond they develop the muscles used
il. aiming and firing and taking the
different positions. He gives some
interesting comparisons between the
work done by companies when hav
ing preliminary practice and when
going on the range without such
practice.
Major Samuel ]. Fort inspector Of
Small arms practice of the Maryland
National Guard. in discussing the
movement toward rife practice in
the schools, points out that rifle
shooting lends itself to the general
scheme of youthful instruction: for
the weapon and its use demand not
caly n well balanced physique. but
this can also be attained by its use,
being well nigh perfect physical
training in itself from the numerous
groups of muscles brought into ac-
ton. II never produces strain
upon the heart. Tobacco and alco-
hol can be more successfully fousit
by the Instructor OF rifle practice
than by any other teacher, for he
must demonstrate their evil effects
upon the intricate nervous and mus
cular factors used in shooting. Ri
file shooting of today is more than
pastine, and Is recognized not
only as sport but also as a science
based upon mathematical principles,
not yet, perhaps thoroughly under
,t~ lNt,t ln