The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-26
To Study the Entire Subject Of
Range Construction from
Defense Standpoint.

WASrtlSNSYION, Dec. 25.-At the
present time there Is an unprecedent-
ed revival on throughout the country
In rifle shooting, brought about BY
the enactment Of a law by Congress-
last year authorizing the. free issue
OF rifles and ammunition to rife clubs
organized by civilians. Under this
act ten citizens in any locality can
organize themselves into a govern
ment rife club and adopt by laws ap-
proved by the secretary Of war. The
club then afiliates with the National
Rifle Association Of America and is
Issued by the war department one new
krag rifle for every FIVE members Of
the club and 100 rounds Of ammuni-
ton to each member annually for use
on the rifle range. The work of or
gambling the clubs, looking after them.
issuing decorations and medals, and
classifying their work, was put in the
hands OF the National Rifle Associa-
ton Of America by the war depart
ment and this organization. which for.
forty-two years has been working to
make rife shooting popular sport
In this country, has suddenly sprung
into prominence through its cooper
alton with the government by the or
ganiztng Of these clubs. Within the
last year the association reports that
1t has completed the Organization of
over 400 clubs. not only in the United
States proper but in Porto Rico, the
canal zone, Alaska and Hawaii.
Over million and half rounds OF
ammunition has been issued to these
clubs during the year and about 5000
rifles. The possibilities Of this move
ment are unlimited and depend only
upon the securing Of range facilities
where such clubs can carry on their,
work. With this object in view Con-
gress will be asked at this session
to provide for commission to inyes-
,tgate the entire subject Of range
construction from national defense
standpoint, survey the entire coun-
try and recommend a permanent ma
tionals policy OF range construction
and localities where such ranges
should be constructed. In addition
the National Rifle Association of Amer
lea will ask for national charter
and an annual appropriation Of $25,-
600 from Congress to assist 1t in the
carrying on the work as 1t should be
done. Although the association has
perfect organization with secre-
taries and branches in every state
there Is no way In which 1t can re-
imburse these secretaries for their
travelling expenses and time, and It
is hardly to be expected that these
men who are active and prominent in
business, should devote their time
and money to this work without re-
endorsement.
Badly Handicapped.
The National Board for Promotion
Of Rifle Practice has also been very
badly handicapped for the lack Of
funds to carry out its plans for the
broadening of the rife movement in a
proper national manner and to meet
this the secretary of war will ask
that the amount Of money now avail
able for the board, which is only &c.,
900, be increased to $4,000, and that
this money be made available for the
purchase Of target supplies for issue
to rife clubs and to pay markers on
oSato 1dhSCS WdSi0 boA 6SkS ole puI
at the disposal Of civilian clubs as
under the present regulations the
state military departments cannot pay
the markers salary except only when
working for the national guardsmen.
So, taking everything into considera-
ton, the future for rifle shooting in
this country looks very bright and II
Congress gives the help and addi-
tional encouragement to the clubs It
will only be very short while be-
fore we will have half a million quail
ified marksmen in this country, which
will be a very valuable asset in any
scheme Of preparing volunteers in
this country for military service.
The city Of Washington is soon to
have national shooting academy
made possible by the cooperation and
assistance Of the; government by the
treasury department putting at the
disposal OF the National Rifle Associa-
|tion q basement in the Oxford hotel.
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