Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-06-15
MARINE CORPS NOW
HAS MODEL RIFLE
RANGE
GROUND NEAR WASHINGTON
LONG DISTANCE SHOOT
Navy Formerly Used Tract for
Big Gun Tests But Frequent
Iy Shot Too Close to Farmers
Who Made Protest.
corresponding to Morning Journal

Especial Correspondence TO Morning Journal
Washington, D.. c., June l2,-The
new marine corps rifle range near
Washington is now in operation and
will be used this year for qualifica-
tons and the training OF the team to
represent the marine corps in the Ma
tional Rifle Matches at Camp Perry.
Unless one were familiar with the
ground the changes and improve
ments made under the direction Of
Captain william G.. Harllee, L. $. NJ.
C.. commandant, could scarcely be
appreciated. "Stumph Neck" was
the more or less euphonious name OF
a stretch of land lying some four
miles down the Potomac from Indian
head. At the latter point is located
the proving grounds for big guns be-
longing to tho navy. and over Stumph
Neck HURLED shells from the four
inch to twelve inch guns, to fall into
the Potomac miles below. Occasion
ally y shell dropped SO near the point
as to make It very uncomfortable for
the farmer who owned it, ana his
complaints resulted in the acquisition
of the ground by the bureau of ord
nance of the navy a number Of years
ago. 1t comprises about 1.100 acres
running east and west. with Il width
varying from 800 yards between the
Mattawoman ChicamuXen creeks
to about one mile at the eastern end.
Last year it was turned over to the
marine CORPS for a rifle range and
what they nave accomplished in fit
ting it up is wonderful. Because of n
lack of appropriation almost all the
work has been lone by the marine
corps officers and men and during
the winter they occupied tents forth
fled with log bases. or roughly con-
structed cabins. With the opening OF
| spring the work was pushed until
now the range is open for business
and in another year will be a model
for . range of the size.
The line OF fire is in the same di-
| rection as the larger axis of the tract
from west to east. The administra-
| ton building is located just outside
the firing line for 900 to / 200 yards
so that from his office the commando
ant can survey the entire range. Fir
ing houses will be erected at several
firing points II in addition to the
usual equipment Of telephones, offices
etc, will have c~ommodious porches
for the accommodation of visitors
| who will be enabled to follow the fir
ing throughout the matches. The
first butts will contain fifty targets,
the next 81, the next II and the last
fifty, the numbering being arranged
and the butts SO located that the
numbers will in every case CORE
spond.
IT was q gigantic task with the
limited appropriation and force avail
able to clear the heavy timber from
the land and level i but this has been
accomplished and the range has been
sown in grass and oats to make Il
lawn. A large portion has been de-
voted to q garden which will furnish
fresh vegetables.
A telephone system has been in
stalled which extends over the range
to the several buildings, including the
quarters Of the commandment and oth-
err officers, and to Washington. In
addition to qualifying as range build
ers the officers detailed have taken
up the construction of good roads,
farming and q number of other
SEES incidental to the work. M main
range building is 100X50 feet and
contains on its basement floor a large
store room, guard room, police store
room, mess store room, armory store
room and work shop and cleaning |
rack rooms. The upper floor contains
the officers store room and living
rooms for the enlisted men perman-
emily detailed to the range. The at
tic has q nindoor gallery installed by
Captain X. K. V. Casey. An outdoor
gallery is provided in a sheltered
place in the woods.
The mess hall now accommodates 1875
men at a sitting but after July /, a
magazine will be built with quarters
and mess hall to accommodate 500
men a. q sitting. rho post Is equip
ped witt an artesian well which gives
an ample supply of water of excellent
quality, sewers are being constructed
and the range is being thoroughly
drained.
As might be expected the range Is
equipped with all the latest devices
and appliances for developing the art
of military rifle shooting. Rests win
be built at which rifles will be test
ed and none but those making salts
factory groups will be used. The
range is tagged with 6x25 %pennants,
neat range stakes nave been INSTALL
ed as we'll as diagram blackboards Of
full size giving information regarding
the dimensions of targets. full effect
OF change Of sights n showing the
effect Of such changes.
There Is ample ground for the cn-
of several thousand troops
and because of its accessibility to
Washington ii ie not improbable that
day the National Rifle Matches
will be shot there In the meantime
matches VIII be arranged W. the
marine corps. District Of Columbia,
Maryland and Virginia and possibly
other states nearby. 1t is also pro-
posed that the range shal be used by
the citizens of the District Of Column
bia Interested in rifle practice and for
the outdoor matches Of the High
school cadets.
Captain Harllee will again be cap
tain of the marine corps team and
Gunncry Sergeant Baptist will act as s
coach. The marines from New York,
Washington, philadelphia and Nor
folk will make their qualifications on ]
the new range and the team for ma
tional matches viii 10 its preliminary
practice there.
What Everybody Ought to Know. v
That Foley Kidney Pills contain just G
ingredients necessary TO tone, ]
strengthen and regulate the action of s
AH - -