The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1914-08-13
| BY GENERAL GEORGE W. WlNCATE.
President Public Schools Athletic
leaque, New York City.

short time it will have Slken leading
place among the favorite sports OF
America. There are Il good many rea
sons for this remarkable growth. As
q sport, rifle shooting possesses several
unique advantages, in addition to the
general benefits to those practicing it
which it shares with other forms OF
recreation. 1t Is q sport for evening
as we'll as the daytime, for winter as
well us summer. Its inexpensiveness
has helped make it attractive to people
both in city and in country. In this
as In many other respects, small bore
rife shooting is exceedingly demo-
cratic.
The present interest in this fascinat-
ing sport, which develops skill and
character, encircles the globe. How
ever far one may travel one is sure to
encounter frequently the rifle club
idea. The interest is not merely local
or national, but international. The
small bore (22 caliber) rifle Is used, as
best adapted to short range target
shooting purposes.
! Shooting Around tho World.
Across the water-meaning both the
Atlantic and the Pacihc-this kind OF
rifle shooting has attained a remarka'
BILE and constantly increasing popular
ity in the different civilized countries.
having as loyal following in the
Orient as in Europe. The Japanese have
taken it up with the seriousness that
might be expected from that nation.
In the British isles there are now at
least 5000 rifle cluhs-sporting organ
izations. not military-the membership
figures reaching half Il million. Swift
zerland has $500 shooting clubs, with
a total membership Of 2l4,OOO. Other
continental countries, like Germany,
France and Austria. have also shared
largely in the results Of this worldwide
sporting movement. and throughout
Europe in summer or winter, day or
night. the crack Of the % calibers is
heard at the ranges Beyond the equa-
tor conditions are the same. South
Africa and Australia are equally inter
ested in the sport, and the distance
between their rifle ranges is short.
Go down to that wonderful country
Argentina. and you will find there that
rifle shooting is esteemed in the front
rank among the national sports.
Here in our own country it is finding
favor all the way from coast to coast
-Four thousand lads in the high schools
Of New York city are now shooting
enthusiastically under equally enthusi-
astic Instruction. The Young Mems
Christian Association in many places
has made rifle shooting part Of the
training which it gives to boys ia the
formative period Of their lives. This
has not been u difficult step, especially
as first class range can be installed
for $3.50 and after the small initial e1-
pense has been provided can be made
to do considerably more than pay its
own way. Especially in the smaller
towns the idea has developed and
borne fruit.
In country communities it is usually
very easy to secure. at hardly any cost.
q suitable location for an outdoor
range. and where. as is the case in
most Of such places, the opportunities
OF recreation are limited the young pe0-
pie in more than one instance have
taken up the game almost us a matter
Of social self protection. We hear a
good deal nowadays about social en-
cheering" The social engineer-the
man who helps community to regen-
crate itseif-has learned that be can
make valuable use in this direction by
organizing rifle club. But. of course.
the real reason Of the popularity Of
rife shooting lies in its inherent at
tractiveness as sport. pure and sim
pie.
How Discovery Was Made.
1t Is much easier to organize such a
club than is generally supposed to be
the ease. This is illustrated by the
following incident: Something like a
year ago. on Saturday afternoon. a
company Of young men were lounging
at their club The town afforded
S'ant opportunity in the way of recrea~
tional amusement. There really SEEM
ed to be little else to do but to idle
and play cards. One Of the'young men
at the card table finally tired of a list
less game and said. Come on, fellows:
let's do some shooting" The shoot was
pulled off in an open field behind Il
barn. with a target tackled to a fence
which ran along the foot of hin. and
the half dozen competitors took turns
using the only two rifles available.
These young men made discovery.
They discovered the fun of rifle shoot.
Ing. its possibilities us an amusement,
n recreation. Il sport. That Saturdays
ext"mporiZed contest was the begin.
ming Of rifle club which rev numbers
400 members. s..
Eventually every town in the country
will have it's rifle club-in many towns.
Indeed, there will be several clubs. req
resenting the different fraternal organ.