Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-03

Louis s. HeSeltlne won tne sooo"~
prizc with q score of 60. In addltioh
+. the inter-0ivisiolial, there was con-
tinuous shooting for the lapel buttons
and the medal offered by the National
Rifle Association of America.
GALLERY PRACTICE.
Last winters gallery practice under
the direction of Major John ]. Dooley,
Assistant Inspector General OF Rine
Practice, aroused great interest and
the qualification average was high,
The Portland firm of Eastman Broth
ers & Bancroft offered handsome
silk banner to the company securing
the highest figure Of merit, Company
d. First Infantry, Norway. being the
winner.
During the past season the Portland
organizations have been provided with
a range which permits firing up to 60O
yards. Another season it is hoped
that skirmish firing points may be
added so that qualification in the
Sharpshooter class will be possible.
The range is the old City of Portland
range on Ray street in the East Deer
ing District. Through the cooperation
of the Myles Standish Rifle Club. the
State and the city, the range was re-
leased and put in thorough repair, be-
ing equipped with the most approved
bullet shields to minimize the danger
from wild shooting. The complaint
terially reduced and slight additional
e holt
make the range absolutely safe, even
for men shooting outdoors for the first
time. 4 range keeper has been pres
ent every day since the range was
oepn to prevent the use of the range
by unauthorized persons and to see
that those authorized fired from the
proper points in the rear of the shields.
In this post Mr.. Amasa II. Cobb has
given faithful service and perfect sat
iSfaction. The range was not opened
until July 4th but in that portion Of
the season remaining the Portland or
ganizations secured practice which
helped bring up the figure of merit for
the State. With d full season and the
advantage Of early season work, the
commanding officers of the Portland
vi dSSITe HE q llldThSu IN
crease in 1908.
The organizations in Lewiston and
Auburn are without range facilities
and that most of them show compare
lively good figures of merit Is due to
their loyalty III volunteering to go to
Brunswick for qualification if the State
furnished transportation.
Co. G, First Infantry, Biddeford, is
without range facilities and the men OF
the command volunteered to so to Sam
ford, the State providing the trans
Dortation.
CO. c, Second Infantry, Bath, has
been greatly handicapped for range
work, going to Brunswick for much of
its qualification.
Co. F, Second Infantry, Dover, needs
a new range and has site in view
which will permit practice up to 1000
yards.
Certain sums have been set aside by
the State for range improvements
another year and it is probable that
suitable range sites can be found for
the companies now without target
facilities.
The State range at Augusta was
used for the State team tryout and
for the. State competition, meeting
every demand satisfactorily. The in
stallatiOn Of a permanent telephone
system connecting all the pits and
firing points. the erection Of wind flag
poles at proper intervals and further
ditching and improvement of the road
way from the range house to the pits
Will make the range one of the best Of
its size in New England. Although
600 yards is the limit of the range,
through the courtesy of the Tayntor
Granite &C., which owns the land on
the hill across the Written road from
the State property. firing points at 800
and 1000 yards were established during
the State team tryout.
Recommendation.
l renew my recommendations in re-
gard to representation at the New
England and National meets, not only
by State teams but by company and
regimental teams. The expense of
sending company team to Wakefield
for the company team matches is slight
and the experience which the men re-
ceive greatly aids their organization
on it's home range.
recommend that the range season
for 1908 open on Patriots Day. BIZ
opening the season on holiday, every
company can make it a field day at the
range and commence the qualification
OF large per cent of it's men. Will,
such a start, it will not be so difficult
to get every man to the range during
the season, and to see that he fires a,
LEASE two full scores at 200, 300 and 5Ot
Yards. Unless men are advanced be-
yond the 200-yard stage. the company
figure Of merit must necessarily be
small.
AS further incentive to early quail.
fication, I recommend that qualitica.
ton insignia be issued from month I,
month throughout the range seasca,
AS fast as their men qualify in the
higher classes company commander:
can forward on special form, through
this office for verifcation Of classified.
ton, a statement of the work accom-.
plished with reques. that the pre.
scribed insignia be issued at once. Il,
&r%~ res-..