The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-17
WILL SECURE RANGE
FOR VA. SOLDIERS
Authorities Working Quietly on
Plan for Regular Rifle
Practice.
ASK LEGISLATURE TO HELP
Officers of the Brigade Point Out
Great Need OF Better
Equipment.

Admitting the great need of rifle
range, where the militiamen of yir-
ginia may be properly trained in taei
leading art of war. the authorities are
preparing to provide and equip 1T, and
will appeal to the General Assembly
for an appropriation in every way suf-
ticient to meet all demands
Officers of the First Brigade speak
clearly on the subject this morning.
and their views Will command atten-
ton and respect. The record at Wash
ington shows that Acknowledgement
Anderson was correct in the statement
that the government appropriation
would not be available until July LIST.
Since then there has not been time for
a complete arrangement of plans More
over. financial aid must be secured from
the Commonwealth, and strong ap-
peal will be made when the Legisla-
ture meets in January.
Though the details of the plans have
not been discussed they are being
worked out carefully and we'll, and the
authoritative announcement concerning
the site for a camp and range to be
forthcoming shortly will stimulate
interest in the service, and these ia
cilities, when provided. will enable the
men TO equip themselves better for ac-
1ual work on the field.
What General Vaughan Says.
Opinions on the subject have been
received by The Times Dispatch from
General c. C. Vaughan. Jr, commands
ing the First Virginia Brigade Colonel
William j. Perry, of the SEVENTEEN
Regiment, and Colonel Robert f. Leedy,
of the Seventy-Second Regiment They
give valuable suggestions, and all agree
that 1t is important to educate the
militia in the use of rifles by actual
training at the range General
Vaughan says: =
To properly equip a soldier to per-
form his most important duty IT is an
absolute necessity that Virginia pro-
vide a rife range: hut under the meagre
appropriation from the State for mill
tary purposes 1t has not been possible
TO do this. In fact. In 1905 target
practice even AT home stations, was
ordered discontinued on account of lack
of funds for the purchase of ammunl-
ton. This unfortunate condition has
been relieved through the government
appropriation for target practice, and
it is anticipated that in the near fu-
ture Virginia volunteers will have the
same advantage To lear to fulfil their
important mission as troops of States
that have been more liberal In provid-
ing fori the support and maintenance
of their nations guard. The absence
OF range has greatly Handicapped the
Adjutant- General in his strenuous eff
forts to send a winning team from Nir-
ginia to participate in the national
cor tosts.
In 1905 the team had no training
before leaving for Seagirt. and but
for the generosity of Colonel Waller
in pronering the use of the marine
range az Williamsburg it would have
gone 10 Camp Perry this year without
training. Virginia is greatly outclassed
by the other States in providing for its
National Guard. and its existence is
due solely 10 the patriotism of the Of
Icers and men, who are willing to
make the necessary sacrifice of time
and money.
II, is natural that every Virginian
should feel Inundated that we are not
In the lead as marksmen, but when ii
~ understood that target practice had
TO be discontinued on account of lack
OF funds for ammunition until The gov
eminent came TO the rescue in 1906,
then 1t is readily seen that we are not
40 be held responsible for failing Ia
take the lead in contests with teams
from States that for Years before the
government appropriation was enacted
provided ranges and ammunition for
practice and trophies to stimulate in
sire to see sufficient acreage pur.
chased 10 accommodate both rifle
range and permanent camp, and Il
beile"e such Will be done as soon as
line state of finances Will permit The
Z question has frequently been favorahly
discussed and Information has beer
sought concerning a suitable size
he commanaer-in-chief Is thor
onEhiY Interested in the subject o
rihe practice as evidenced by the gen
erous donation OF .'C;ovcrnor,
trophy," % be shot for in an individ
will be provided and contested for h,
the teams OF The tnree regiments q
tine frni brigade so ii is hoped INA
I. . 1905 will bring snecessful and satlsfac
tory results.
IN a similar vein, Colonel ", i
Perry OF stanton, writes in respons
TO the query Of The Times % spatch ii
says:
1T is Of the utmest Importance tha