The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-11
RIFLE CONTESTS
FOR Boys DOOMED
One Held at Washington, As
sisted by Military Men,
Great Success.
GOOD SCORES WERE MADE
WAR DEPARTMENT AND THE MA
RINE CORPS co-oPERATED TO
FOSTER SHOOTING PRACTICE
sY YOUNGSTERS.


the recent outdoor schoolboy rifle
meeting In the District of Columbia
has shown how easy it is to work up
interest in this sport among boys
when concerted effort is put forth.
Most of the credit is due to Iieuten-
ant Albert S. Jones, secretary of the
National Rifle association, who organ
lied the tournament. He found that
the officers of the army, Marine Corps
and National Guard of the District of
Columbia. as we'll as a number of pa
triotically inclined civilians, had only
to be asked in order to get their time.
efforts and money to encourage the
schoolboy work.
The first step was to obtain the loan
of the District of Columbia range and
the cooperation of the National Guard
officers as instructors and range Off
GERS. The war department was then
approached on the subject of arms and
ammunition. Washington is pecu-
liarly situated, in that it has we'll
organized and well-drilled cadet corps
and under the law the war depart
ment can furnish the corps with arms
and ammunition.
Marines Cooperate.
General Elliott, commander of the
marine corps, placed at the disposal
of the officers of the match the SER
vices of an entire company of marines
to act as markers and scorers. the non
commissioned officers assisting in in
structing the boys and guarding
against accidents.
In addition, several officers from
the army and marine corps volunteer
ed their services. President Taft,
who, when secretary of war had more
than once signalized his approval of
rifle practice. sent Lieutenant Jones a
telegram, which read: Il approve the
teaching under proper regulations of
rifle shooting to our boys in advanc-
ed grades
The cooperation of the Washington
Press was solicited. and the local
newspapers took a most active inter.
est in the affair. Publicity thus gain
ed was of great advantage in arousing
the interest of the schoolboys and citi-
zens. The school board assisted in
every possible way, and the athletic
and military instructors took prom
inent part in the preliminary work
and in the tournament itself.
A canvass was made Of number OF
prominent citizens, each being asked
for a small contribution, which result.
ed in a sum of money to defray eX
penses.
Prizes Donated.
Several of the local newspapers do
mated cups. and other cups and med
ais were given by merchants. brokers
and hotels. Secretary of War Dickin-
son, in addition to approving the shoot
gave a medal, as did Assistant Secre-
tary Of War Oliver and General VIII
liam Crozier. chief of ordnance.
The Washington Chamber of Com
merce and the Du Pont Powder COM
pany also gave prizes, and local
firm donated the program. Ten cents
per card was charged, and the balance
received over the expenses was turn
ed over to the school board to further
rifle practice in the schools.
Much interest was manifested by
the boys. Although it was dark and
cold, more than 800 youngsters turn
ed out to participate in the matches.
Some forty or fifty officers were on
hand.
The shooting was all at 200 yards
with the regulation military rifles and
ammunition, some of it being off hand
and some prone.
1t is understood that the National
Militia Board will recommend that
National Guard organizations place
their ranges at the disposal of the
school boys from time to time for
practice and that the officers OF the
National Guard assist in instructing
the boys. A bill has been introduced
in congress providing for the encour'
agement of rifle practice among
school boys and civilian clubs.