Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-01-09
OUTDOOR SCHOOL
RIFLE MEET A
BIG SUCCESS
Tournament Goes For to Ac-
compIish Purpose Of interest
ing Young America in the Use
Of the Army Fifearm,
Especial Correspondence 20 Morning Iournall

l~pecihi CORRESPONDENCE 70 MOrninE journal
Washington, d.. G., San. THE
success 0 the recent outdoor school
bog rifle meeting in the District Of
Columbia has shown how easy ii is to
work up interest in his sport among
the boys when concerted effort is put
forth. Most Of the credit is due to
Lieut.. Albert :. Jones, secretary Of
the National Rifle association. who
organized the tournament. but he
found that the officers Of the army.
marine corps and National guard OF
the District of Columbia. as well as a
number Of patriotically inclined civil
ians, had only to he asked in order.
to contribute their time, efforts and
money to encourage the schoolboy
work. \ brief sketch Of how this
tournament was arranged and carried
TO a successful conclusion will be of
interest To other cities. The first step
was to secure the loan of the District
of Columbia range and the
lion Of the National guard officers AS
instructors and range officers. This
cooperation was most heartily given
. - w. ~ 800 a. AliAit III
preached on the subject Of arms ana
ammunition. Washington is peculiar
~ sitated in that it has a wen organ
lied and Wen drilled cadet corps and
under the law the war department can
furnish the corps with arms ana am I
munition. A sufficient number Of ri
fles was borrowed from the war de-
partment and some five thousand or
ten thousand rounds of ammunition
secured. General Elliott, commander
OF the marine corps, placed at the dis
posal of the officers of the match the
services Of an entire of I
marines to act rs markers and scor-
ers, the non-commissioned officers
present assisting in %instlucting the
boys and guarding against accidents.
In addition, several officers from
the army and marine corps yolun-
tocred their services. President Taft,
as secretary of war. had more
once signalized his approval of
rifle practice, sent Lieut.. Jones a tele-
gram which read. Il approve the
teaching under proper regulations of
rifle shooting to our boys in advanced
grades"
The cooperation OF the Washington
press was solicited and the local
newspapers took "a most active inter-
est in the affair. The publicity thus
gained was OF great advantage in
lrousing the interest of the school
boys and of the citizens. The school
board assisted i'm every possible was
md the athletic and military instruc-
tors tool a prominent part in the pre- /
.iminary work and in the tournament !
a canvas vas made OF a num-
Der OF prominent citizens, each being
asked for a small contribution which
in a sum of money to defray
he expenses. several of the local
newspapers donated cups, ana other
and medals were given by mer-
'hants, brokers and hotels. Secretary
If War Dickinson, in addition to hear
lily approving the shoot, gave a med d
as did Assistant Secretary or War n
oliver and General William Crozier, {
.hief of ordnance. The Washington Il
,hamber OF Commerce and the Du y
'ont Powder company also gave prizes h
md a local firm donated the program o
Fen cents per card was charged ans n
nc balance received over the expenses II
turned over to the school board n
o further rifle practice in the schools. A
The l~iveliest interest was manifest Il
d by the boys. Although it was dark n
nd cold, more than 800 youngsters
urned out TO participate in the h
matches. some forty or fifty officers n
we're on hand d
The shooting VAS all at 200 yards "
18th the regulation military rifle and tc
mmunition. some of il being off s.
and and some prone. The matches re-
ere: Interschool championship. high OF
-hool cadet corps company champion III
hip, inter-club match. individual ro
championship; high school cadet corps eo