The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-17
THE AMERICAN EXPERT
SHOTS INTERESTED
INTERESTING LETTER FROM
NATIONAL CAPITAL ABOUT
CRACK MARKSMEN.

WASHINGTON, d, G., Jan.ll,
During the present week there viii be
three meetings in Washington of
great importance to the National
Guard throughout the country. and
especially to those interested in rifle
shooting, The first will be the an
nual meeting Of the Board OF Direct
ors Of the National Rifle Association,
which takes place on Wednesday eve
ming January lS On the following
day the National Board for Promo
tion Of Rifle Practice viii hold its an
nual meeting ir the Office OF Assis-
tant Secretary Of War Robert Shaw
Oliver, President of the Board, On
Friday the National Militia Board
meets at its rooms on G Street where
the Militia Division OF the War De-
partment, There will be many distin-
guished National Guardsmen from all
parts of the country will be present
in attendance Of these meetings and
with them will cooperate the army
officers who are, by inclination or
duty, particularly interested in the
matters which will come up for dis
cussion.
AT the meeting Of the Board Of Di-
rectors OF the National Rifle Asso-
citation the officers Of the Association
ior the coming year win be elected
It is not expected there will be any
change in the roster with the possible
exception Of the executive committee.
)ne Of the most important subjects
to be considered is the international
Rifle meeting undr the auspices OF the
Association to be held in September
next. Nineteen nations hav been in
'ited to participate and it is hoped the
Meeting will be the most successful
.ver held. From ten to twenty thou
and dollars will be necessary to ham
lie this match properly; this money
must be raised by popular subscrip-
ion Another question Of Importance |
; the time and place Of holding the !
iext annual meeting Of the Associa- |
ion. Several years past il has been |
eld either Immediately before or i'm
nediately after the National Rife /
Iatches, which are under the quasi
of the National Board |
Or Promotion Of Rifle Practice Ow-
lg to the growth OF the national
latches and other causes the opinion
! expressed that it would be wise to
operate the two meetings. Others
old opposite views and an interest
lg discussion is expected The Ma
onal Rifle Association viii also be
allied upon this year to replace sew
raj valuable trophies which passed
ITO the permanent possession Of the
,inners at the meeting at Camp Per-
y, Ohio, in August last.
AS the Board OF Directors Of the
Iational Rifle Association has
lrge representation on the National
ioard for Promotion Of Rifle Prac-
ice, the latter will be largely infuenc-
by the action of the former in re-
ard to the date and place for the
ext meeting. For the National
latch, Camp Perry is again without
n active competitor. 1t is by far the
lrgest range in the country and fifty
cams can shoot at one time and at
he same distance on this range. The
init of teams enlisted to enter the
,ational Match is fifty six, and fifty |
the largest number participating to
ate The National Board acts in an
dvisory capacity to the Secretary Of
Var and will consider changes in the
ules as we'll as the time and place for
olding the matches. Among other
uggestions advanced is that the Ar
ny should be limited to one team in
tead OF being allowed one for the In
antry and for the Cavalry as at pres
mt It is also suggested that the six.
ervice teams be placed in a class by
themselves, and that the National
1uard teams be classified into three
ivisions SO as to give the weaker
,tates better chance than they now
ave.
Both bodies will again consider the
ubject Of rifle practice in educational
istitutions. The necessity Of in
tructing the youth Of the country in
se Of the national weapons Is daily
ecoming more obvious. 1t Is es-
;u,oted that ander ordinary condi-