Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-10

soSSt'tiiN Vi war, ildu more than once
, sisnalized his approval of rifle prac-
tice. sent Lieut.. Jones a telegram
Whlcn read: Il approve the teaching
under proper regulations of rifle shoot.
! ing TO our boys in advanced grades"
| The local newspapers took a most
active interest in the affair, and the
! publicity thus gained was of great adj
vantage in arousing the interest Of
the schoolboys and of the citizens.
| The schoolboard assisted in every
! possible way and the athletic and mil
| ltary instructors took a prominent
part in the preliminary work and in
the tournament itself. Several of the
| local newspapers donated cups and
other cups and medals We're given by
merchants, brokers and hotels Sec
rotary of War Dickinson, in addition
to heartily approving the shoot, gave
a medal, as did Assistant Secretary of
War Oliver and General William Croz-
Ter, Chief of Ordnance. The Washing
ton Chamber of Commerce and the Du
Pont Powder Company also gave
prizes and a local firm donated the
programme. Ten cents per card was
charged and the balance received over
the expenses was turned over to the
schoolboard to further rifle practice in
the schools
The livelieSt interest was manifested
by the boys. Although it was dark
and cold, mere than 800 youngsters
turned out to participate i'm the
matches. Some forty or fifty officers
We're on hand.
The shooting was all at 200 yards
with the regulation military rifle and
ammunition, some of it being off-hand
and some prone. The matches We're:
Intsrschool championship; high school
cadet corps company championship;
| inter-club match; individual cham
ponship; high school cadet corps MEM
bers On r. Al and the n. r. A. med
al matches.
The distribution of the prizes, which
took place at the Western High
School, was made quite an event.
Capt. James F. oyster, President of
the School Board, presided. Secre-
tary of War Dickinson presented the
prizes and made a strong speech sup
porting the policy of educating the
schoolboys to the intelligent use of
the rife. Mr.. w. f. Guide, President
of the Washington Chamber of Com
merCe, presented the trophy given by
that organization and other addresses
We're made by Gen. James A. Drain,
President of the National Rifle Assoc
citation, Chief Clerk J. c. Schofeld. OF
the War Department, and others. AS
the result of the indoor tournaments
which have been held here for the
past two years under the auspices OF
the National Rifle and Revolver Club,
and the recent outdoor shoot under
the auspices of the National Rifle AS
ISOLATION great interest has been taken
rifle practice.
What has been done in Washington
canrfot be duplicated possibly in all
large cities. but in number of them
| the same methods would doubtless DC
successful. 1t is understood the Ma
| tional Militia Board will recommehu
| that National Guard organizations
Mace their ranges at the disposal OF
| the schoolboys from time to time LOT
practice and that the officers OF the
National Guard assist in instructihs
| the boys. A bill has been introduced
| in Congress providing for the encour-
agement of rifle practice among schooi
boys and civilian clubs which have re-
ceiyed the endorsement of the Wai
Department and which will doubtless
be endorsed by the National Rifle AS
ISOLATION and the National Board lo'
| the Promotion of Rife Practice.