The morning journal-courier., 1908-12-26
NO RIFLE PRACTICE Government Gives Schools Money, But It Is Not Care
 fully Used, FEW RANGES ARE FOUND some Attention Paid to tic Military Department But Little to
 Craftsmanship

Washington, D. C., Dee. %, What are the schools colleges and universl- tlcs of the United States doing in the way of military training for the Alncr- ican youth? is question In when the war department Is greatly Interested, Approximately one hundred instltu- tlons of learning have attached to them army officers on either the active or retired list During 1908 the depart ment went to much trouble to ascer- tain what was being accomplished by these officers and how far they were being assisted by the faculties of the institutions where they were serving. Reports were received from each of the officers detailed and each institution was inspected by officers assigned to this duty In addition statistics were compiled in respect to the government aid enjoyed by certain colleges, so that the whole gives the general staff q very fair idea of just what the gov ernment is getting in the shape of mil- tary training in return for what 1t is doing for these institutions of learn ing
 The details of the inspections will not he made public but the general staff will probably have something to say on the subject when the reports are thor oughly dgrstcd Most of the colleges and universities receiving government aid pay attention to their military de- partment but very few are equipped for rifle practice. on which the depart ment is growing more insistent Again and again the inspectors report the absence of rife ranges out of doors and the poor facilities for indoor practice as well as the antiquatcd equipment of rifles with which the students are sup piled. As an example of the conditions prevailing the case of southern col- lege may be cited This institution re- ceiyes an annual appropriation of S5l146. IL has no gallery range but has an out-door available at 200 and 300 yards. but has only one target for its 570 students
 In contrast with these is a report from another southern institution which abbreviated is as follows, the name of the college being withheld: It receives government support to the extent of S5S.S00. and $950 Is al- lowed to the military department in which 126 students arc enrolled, com posing a battalion with three compan- ies. of these 112 fired at 200 yards. so per cent at 900 yards, 30 per cont. at 800 yards, and DOT cent, at sliirm- ish Twelve students qualified as marksmen. or at higher grade The time for range practice is set outside the usual drill hours. The college is equipped with so yard range within four minutes walk of the college buildings, with two sliding targets and next year will have an indoor range in the basement of the armory. The report states that the students find pleasure and profit in military work, ' and that interest in rifle practice is keen. The instructor recommends that the government should supply an ammunition allowance of loo ball car tridges per student
 VT dHolntT SpulH'Tn llSliiullpH lIl' reports say; Little importance is att tached to the military instruction by the college authorities. Very slight military spirit developed and nurturcd, although there are indications of im- provcment' Also; Very little en- couragemcnt given by most of the faculty As q rule they absolutely lack interest and look upon military effort as time lost This institution is equipped with q 300 yard range with two targets ordered; it has no gallery range.
 It is believed that as result of tho thorough inspections several nstitu- lions will have difficulty in securing the assignment of officers for their military departments.