The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-03-19

rifle practice by becoming a life mem
Der of the National Rifle Association
of America, which works in co-opera-
tion with the National Board for the
promotion of rifle practice. The
president was invited to join by Gen.
James A. Drain, president of the as
ISOLATION. 1t is not customary for
presidents to join associations, but
General Drain pointed out that the
National Rifle association is the only
one OF its kind in the country. and
therefore no criticism could be pass
ed on the president in case he joined.
Gen. Drain quoted the object Of the
association, from its by-laws,S as fol-
lows:
"The object of this organization
shall be to encourage craftsmanship
throughout the United States, princi-
pally in the direction of qualifying
as finished marksmen those individu-
ais who may be called upon to serve
in time of war; to encourage COM
petition in craftsmanship between
teams and individuals; to encourage
maintenance of ranges; to secure the
issue of military rifles and ammuni-
ton to those practicing thereat, and
to encourage public sentiment in
respect to the necessity of rifle prac-
tice as a means of national Defense"
BY its liberality congress has great
NS
ranges and rifle practice galleries
throughout the country. One fourth
of the appropriation made by the gov
eminent for the militia is now re-
quired to be set aside for the promo
ton of rifle practice and this money
is available for acquiring ranges. Any
state so inclined, however, can use
more than this proportion of the ap-
preparation, and of course assistance
can be received from the state treas
ury. AS a result, ranges are being
secured in all parts of the country.
There is good prospect that national
rifle range will be established near
Washington. General Grant, COM
manding the department of the east,
has ordered a board of officers to
meet in Washington to examine sites
in Maryland and Virginia convenient
to Washington, and suitable for
rifle range for cavalry, infantry and
field artillery. Among other sites to
be considered is one of about 1900
acres not far from Fort Meyer, Vir-
ginia, which was used during the
Spanish war and called Camp Alger.
1t is expected that if a range is Sc
cured sufficiently near the city it may
be used by the District of Columbia
militia as we'll as by the army.
Adjutant General w. H. Thrift, of
Iowa, has in charge the selection of
site for rifle range. Three sites
in Polk, and one in Dallas counties
are under consideration.
The work of securing public SUBJ
scriptions for the Mississippi range
near Vicksburg is progressing rapid
ly. At last accounts almost all the
money had been raised and General
Fridge hopes to get the range con-
structed in time for spring inter-
state shoot between Louisiana, Texas,
Alabama and mississippi.
Indiana reports that target practice
is receiving more general attention by
the militia than ever before. The
state team jumped from 45th to 28th
place at the last national tournament
at Sea Girt, and expects to do much
better at the coming national matches
at Port Clinton, Ohio.
Adjutant General Newton, of Texas,
has decided to equip the various COM
panies of the Texas national guard
with indoor ranges on the line of
those used by the army which have
previously been described in this cor
respondence. BY the use of the Win
chester % caliber musket or the Krag
fitted with the 20 caliber barrel and
an arrangement whereby the targets
are diminished in proportion to the
distance, 1t is possible to obtain the
same results in small indoor range
as on the outdoor range. OF course
weather conditions, such as wind AMI
mirage cannot be duplicated but in
door practice when outdoor ranges
are not available is highly recon-
mended. It has been the experience
of all good shots that to keep in form,
there must be constant practice.
Senator Charles Dick, of Ohio, re-
Gently presented to the members of
the District of Columbia guard the
trophies and medals won in annual
competition. General Dick is the au-
thor of the law bearing his name, I'M
der which the militia has made such
great advance.
ut is good craftsmanship and eff
cheney, as we'll as discipline that make
the soldier" said Senator Dick in
presenting the medals. eve are a
peace-loving nation and from that
very fact we must have in readiness
a force of capable men ready to main
tain peace. Every American citizen
of sound health should serve in the
ranks of the citizen soldiery. We
ought to do voluntarily what the men
of Germany. France, Russia and Aus
tria are compelled to do"
The medals of craftsmanship won
by Company G, of Gloucester, Mass,
were presented with considerable
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