Bisbee daily review., 1914-07-04
SHOOT STRAIGHT


 American independence owes much to the skill which forefatbers showed in the use of their trsty rifles a skill which Brought praise from the great Napoleon and to th hearts of the hired Hessians Why this should hay been allowed to deterorae by the Gov ernment is not understandable in view of the fixed policy of the Government to rely upon mtraned vol to fight its battles History cities many instances w'rere untraned soldiers who were trained rremen as the Boers had gained victories over trained regulars but history has little to say of tine many ignomnious defeats of volunteers who had this qualification and who therefore able to stand before trained troops After many years of by of rifle enthusiasts patriots this country legislation this serious mistake the Gov ernmout has at last been secured and congress has authorized the War Departmenteto begin the training civilians rifle practice It due to the efforts of the National Rifle association of America ization which has been in existence since 1871 ano which has been the pioneer in working sentiment throughout the country for the promotion of rifle shoot ing as a sport as well as a means strengthening national defences that Congress has last taken ton by authorizing Che War Department to issue to civilian rifle clubs Krag rifles and ammunition free.
 The benefits from this action, however. will neces sarily be limited owing to the refusal Of Congress to appropriate funds with which to carry the purposes Of the law In view thereof the Secretary of War has delegated the work of organizing the clubs to whom the rifles and ammunition will be issued to the Ma tiona Rifle Association Of America. This Association already had. when the act passed more than l5o civilian clubs organized and shooting under regulations which had been previously approved by the Secretary of War
 The conditions under which clubs may organize and recieye the benefit this law provide that ten citi zens in any locality may organize themselves into club, after which they adopt thc bylaws furnished by the War Department and affiliate with the National Rifle Association America with and by the approval Of the Governor or Adutant General of the State After this has been accomplished the club is eligible to receive the rifles and ammunition on the basis of rifle to each five members of the club 12O round of ann 6munition for each member. Members of clubs re kceivng such ammunition will required to shoot over a course of instruction laid down by the War Depart ment which proyides for rapid fire at 200 and 300 yards and slow fire at 3O0 800 and 600 yards Those members who qualify as marksmen sharpshooters or expert are given decorations by the War Department and their names are recorded in the office of the Ad utant General of the State and of the War Department Clubs win be required to give bond for the safe re- turn of the rifles issued them.
 The expression that are nation of marksmen has ceased to be stock phrase of Fourth of July orators for many decades but if this movement which hos been started is followed up by proper aPpropra lions for Che building of and the manufacturing of ammunition. such phrase may in ten or twelve years have some significance We should have in this country at least a million young men spending their holidays and Sundays in the clean and manly sport of rifle shooting thereby improving their physical health as we'll as train themselves be efficient vol unteers in case their services be needed for the defence of their home and hreside