Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-03


The senate has passed unanimously
the senate bill appropriating 100000
for rifle practice IN the schools and
universities of the country, ana
among civilian clubs. This bill has
been endorsed by the war department
and by the National Rifle Association,
and has received the support OF Pres
ident Taft and ex-President Roose-
Welt
There are at the present time ~
universities, colleges and schools
where army officers are detailed with
an enrolment In the military depart
ment of 22,9l0. These include the ag-
ricultural schools which receive APP
preparations under the NORTH Act. OF
this number only 3,259 receive out
door instruction and 9,14S gallery
practice. In addition To the above
institutions there are rs private mill
tary schools with an approximate at
tendance of $500. Through lack OF
proper facilities, such practice as they
have Is of little value.
Civilians and School Boys.
The proposed appropriation Is TO be
devoted to civilian and schoolhoy
rifle practice. An interesting exhibit
of what is being done in other coun-
tries to promote rifle practice among
civilian rife clubs and in the schools
accompanied the report made by Sen
ator Briggs. In Canada the Dominion
Rifle Association receives annually
from the Canadian government
subsidy of $4,000. besides a full al
lowance of ammunition, amounting 10
100000 cartridges each year.
The government of Great Britain
donates each year TO the National
Rife Association OF that country
100000 rounds of cartridges for use
in the annual contests held at Bis
ley. furnishes the Bisley meeting with
soldiers TO run the matches and camp
equipage for the use of competitors.
The National Rifle Association of that
country has an annual income, which
last year amounted to nearly $780,
GOO. Affiliated with the National As
sociation are 200 minor associations
and Loo clubs. About $50 schools
have cadet corps in which rifle prac-
tice is carried on and eacn year there
is a contest among the schools Tor
trophy presented by Lord Ashburton.
Australia has reserve force of 3d.
900 civilian rilemen and appropriates
$500, 900 annually for ammunition for
their practice. The railroads in Aus
tralia give freS transportation to-mem-
bers OF the rifle clubs when taveling
to and from the ranges. Forty thous-
and schoolboys are organized into ca
Diet corps and are furnished arms and
ammunition by the government.
France is Liberal.
In France the government issues
rifles free 10 the rifle clubs and last
year the free issue of ammunition 10
such clubs cost the government $780,
900. The government also appropri-
ates $4,000 to the National Society
which is used for prizes and decora-
tions. The department cooperate In
the teaching of rife practice to the
children. The war department helps
WIN al anu Nut Ut-
partment of interior with money and
the department OF public instruction
by encouraging the development of
rife exercise in the schools. Boys
under II year Of age are furnished
with the miniature rifle and all over
that age with the army rife.
In 1882 the Italian government or
sanized an association for the pur-
pose of teaching all citizens to prop
erly handle the military rifle. This
organization is under the supervision
of the secretary of war who has his
headquarters in Rome. Total or par
tial exemption from military duty is
given members Of the rifle clubs who
have profitably taken shooting les
sons for two years. Shooting grounds
are provided at the joint expense OF
the societies the country where locat-
ed and the government which also
gives each branch OF the National AS
sociation. according to the number
of members sufficient rifles and sells
the ammunition at cost prices. The
day for practice is always Sunday so
the workingmcn can attend the meet
ings without losing a DAYS work. A
military instructor is in charge TO
teach the rules OF shooting. care OF
the rife and individual and company
drill. This instructor is an officer Of
the army and all shooting is careful
~ watched by him. Every year there
are community matches: every two
wears intcr-couniy matches and every
five years National Civilian Match