The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-06

facilities for practice ana should not
when put Zip against crack shots from
the other States which have well
equipped local rifle ranges,
In this connection remark made by
Major A. b. Percy. ordnance officer OF
the Virginia militia, while in camp at.
Gettysburg. is recalled. Major Percy,
in an argument, offered to bet that
three men could be started on run
from camp towards the town, giving
them small lead, and that the entire
ridges, could not hit one Of them in
the mile and a half run 10 the centre
of Gettysburg.
Public Concerned.
That the public as we'll as the mill
tia is interested in the matter of rifle
shooting, Captain Wallace has been
Convinced since his recent return from
Camp Perry, Ohio, where he was q
member of the Virginia rifle team. He
says every man whom he has met has
asked him the same three questions.
viz: when did you get back?' Did
you have good time?' why did the
Virginia team shoot so badly?" The
first two are simply polite inquiries,
but the third is the real question and
shows the interest that the public is
taking in the Virginia team ard in
shooting generally. THIS interest is
deeper and more widespread than one
would think at first sight, and he says
he is astonished at the extent of II
Captain Wallace has but OF, answer:
Lack of opportunity"
No State rifle range. whether To-
Gated at Virginia Beach or elsewhere.
could be used, he points out, by more
than small number of the volunteer
militia for regular practice. The Nor
folk and Portsmouth companies could
perhaps go to Virginia Beach every
Saturday, weather permitting, and. by
constant practice, become proficient in
the use of the rifle. But the compa-
MES in Richmond, or at Staunton, or
at Emporia, or, in fact, anywhere else
in the State, could not make weekly
trips to the state rifle range.
Must DC Done Locally.
The only solution. according to the
expert rifleman, is in local ranges.
The War Department furnishes the
State money every year for the de-
velopment Of rifle shooting, and this
could be expended in equipping such
institutions
In Richmond and in the larger
places, where, in all probability, there
will always be militia commands, land
could be bought. usually very cheaply.
In small towns, where there is a pos
sibility of companies going out of ex.
istence, 1t could be leased. While 1t
cannot, under the regulations of the
ri I'D
than one year, options for succeeding
years could probably be secured.
The cost of targets Is not great tho
| principal item of expense being the
erection of back stops where these are
| necessary 1t is estimated that the
State Military Board could equip three
} or four local ranges a year with the
War Departments money
Would Help Service.
Now" says Captain Wallace, "lool
at the results. Every man would b.
expected to practice rifle shooting, s.
that he can hit something If the occa
: sion ever arises. Interest in this phas
: of soldering. which. after all, is tn
a most important side. would be great
stimulated. Company competition
would bring out contestants for hes
shots. When the time comes to sen
men to national match, the bes
rihemen can be selected and Virgini
will have team of which she migf
;. be proud Besides. 1t would add to II
.. popularity of the service and bring I
= enlistments.
9: practice is the all-essential thir
q in rifle shooting. We get practical
none of 1t now. There are many thint
r. about match contests which must
learned by experience, under goo
l. coach, and when new men are taken
Camp Perry they naturally make mi
takes which are costly to the team.
: 1--WE have soldiers to shoot. v
:. can't shoot unless we practice v
.. can't practice without local ri
d ranges"