Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-04-04
BILL PASSED.
Appropriating 100000
For Rifle Practice.
In Schools and Universities and
Among Civilian Clubs.
Appropriations For Rifle Practice
In Many Foreign Countries.

Washington, April 3.--The Senate has
passed unanimously the Senate bill ap-
propriating. 100000 for rifle practice IN
the schools and universities of the coun-
try, and among civilian clubs. This bill
has been endorsed by the war depart
ment and by the National Rifle Associa-
ton. and has received the support of
President Taft and ex-President Roose-
welt.
There are at the present time SO univer-
stiles, colleges and schools where army
officers are detailed with an enrolment
in the military department of 22,9l0
These include the agricultural schools
which receive appropriations under the
Morrill, Act OF this number only 1898
receive outdoor instruction and 9748 gal
lery practice. In addition to the above
institutions there are 28 private military
schools with an approximate attendance
of 2500. Through lack of proper facli-
ties, such practice as they have is Of lit
tie value.
The proposed appropriation is TO be de-
voted to civilian and school-bOy rifle
practice. An interesting exhibit OF what
is being done in other countries to pro-
mote rifle practice among civilian rifle
Clubs and in the schools accompanied
the report made by Senator Briggs. In
Canada the Dominion Rife Association
receives annually from the Canadian
Government a subsidy of $4,000. besides
a full allowance of ammunition, amount
ing TO 600 cartridges each year.
The government of Great Britain do
mates each year to the National Rifle
Association of that country 100000 rounds
of cartridges for use in the annual con-
tests held at Bisley, and furnishes the
Bisley meetings with soldiers to run the
matches and camp equipage for the use
of competitors. The National Rifle AS
ISOLATION of that country has an annual
income, which last year amounted to
nearly 100000 Affiliated with the Ma
tional Association are 300 minor associa-
tionS and 1900 clubs About $50 schools
have cadet corps in which rife practice
is carried on and each year there is a
contest among the schools for trophy
presented by Lord AShburton. Australia
has a reserve force of $4,000 civilian rife
men and appropriates $h0O,UO annually
for ammunition for their practice. The
III AuStIdlIst give Tree tIdIlSDol-
taton to members of the rifle clubs when
travelling to and fro from the ranges.
Forty thousand school boys are organized
into cadet corps and are furnished arms
and ammunition by the government and
receive instruction in rifle practice.
In France the government issues rifles
free to the rife clubs and last year the
free issue of ammunition TO such clubs
cost the government 100000 The gov
eminent also approprateS $4,000 to the
National Society which is used for prizes
and decorations. The departments CO.
operate in the teaching of rife practice
to the children. The war department
helps with arms and ammunition, the
department of interior with money and
the department of public instruction by
encouraging the development of rifle ex
ercises in the schools. Boys under II
years of age are furnished with the min
ature rifle and all over that age with the
army rifle.
In 1882 the Italian government organ
lied an association for the purpose of
teaching all citizens to properly handle
the military rifle This organization IS
under the supervision of the secretary of
war who has his headquarters in Rome
Total or partial exemption from military
duty is given to members of the rifle
clubs who have profitably taken shooting
lessons for two years. Shooting grounds
are provided at the joint expense of the
societies in the county where located and
the government which also gives each
branch Of the National Association, ac-
cording to the number, of members suffi-
cent rifles and sells the ammunition at
cost prices. The day of practice is al
ways Sunday so the workingmen can at
tend the meetings without losing a days
work. A military instructor is in charge
to teach the rules of shooting, care of
the rifle and Individual and company drill.
This instructor is an officer of the army
and all shooting is carefully watched by
him. Every year there are community
matches; every two years lnter-couh'y
matches and every five years Natiohai
Civilian Match. This match is generally
held in Rome and the occasion Is MADE
q legal and popular holiday. The govern.
ment gives free railroad tickets to repre-
sentatiyes from the various branches
while other marksmen who attend are al
lowed rs per cent. discount on the cost
of railroad tickets. In the last match
which lasted Is days about 1900 men took
part. The list of prizes had among the
donors the King and Queen of Italy.
members of Parliament, the cities, the
counties, the government, ladies of no.
bility and others. The giving of the
prizes is attended by the civil and mill
tary authorities. The King gives the
prizes to the first three men in each class.
In Switzerland there are more than
$500 shooting societies with over 200,OOO
members. In 1902 the date of the last re-
port received, $1,000 members qualified
as marksmen. If the same ratio were
maintained in proportion to population.
the United States would have $3.50, 600
marksmen
The government of Sweden annually
approprates $l53.7S0 towards rifle prac-
tice which is apportioned among grants
TO rifle clubs. TO the National Shooting
Societies, for ammunition. target ranges.
target prizes, printing, etc. In 1905 there
IN,