The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-20

Aside from increasing the army n
navy there are many simple and mex
penslve methods for bringing about
greater efficiency in this nation OF which
little Is written. Some of these methods
would increase to a large extent our
forces and near forces. as IL were. not
for aggression. but merely for defence.
by far the greater proportion Of the
men of this country are without knowl-
| edge of the use Of firearms and many
have never even handled a rifle.
Efforts are being made to train young
men In the use of The most
important Of the bodies doing this is
the Public Schools Athletic League
Gen. George w. Wingate. president
OF the Public Schools Athletic League.
throws much light on this matter.
The change which has taken place
In the attitude OF the American people
In regard to preparedness during the
last year has been nothing less than
miraculous said Gen. Wirgate. Pub
lie opinion has become settled on the
fact that although the United states
Is enormously rich II - nevertheless
extreme pacinsts appear to be agreed
that the navy should be substantially
Increased. a majority also considers
/, that the regular army should be On.
larged and that volunteer forces should
be created which will supplement the
regular army In time of war. There
Is, however. considerable difference OF
opinion rs to what should be done ana
even more as to how the cost IL to be
met. both of which subjects will ineri-
tably cause great delay In providing an
effective force.
Training Boys Cheap Way.
"a simple method. however. exists
which has received very little public
attention. although Il IL easy. cheap and
compare lively quick in producing re-
suits. Moreover. II is not an expert
ment, but Is in practical operation on
"a large scale. This method II to train
the youth of the country. and particu-
lariy the young men attending the high
schools and colleges. TO become good
marksmen with n military rifle.
"This system vas introduced In the
high schools OF New York by the Pub
lie Schools Athletic League about twelve
years ago. and has since been carried on
with great success. II has also been es-
tablished tina, this instruction can be
given in an ordinary room. with an
empty rife. 10 that the beginner can be
taught to hold and pull as well and per-
haps even better than IL ne were actually
firing a loaded rifle. After this has
been accomplished the beginner can be
further trained TO advantage by prac-
Using in rife galleries and similar places
al short distances with HIGHT charges.
Thereafter, firing accurately at longer
ranges IL merely "A matter OF practice
In the field. which. under competent in
st%ructors. IL rapidly acquired.
THE league has greatly improved the
situation by recently purchasing and
issuing 10 the different high schools lIC
Krag rifles. equipped with what is called
a practice rod. The latter Is "A brass
tube inserted in the barrel Of the rife
This tube contains a rod which. wher
struck by the firing pin. is thrown Out
with such force that IN. point makes
an indentation In n card target which
is placed eight inches distant from tht
muzzle.
"Coinp.titions in the schools and be-
tween them. both on the machine and
In the army rifle galleries. are con.
stantly going on. many prizes having
been offered by those Interested. In tn.
fail OF every year the boys who have
won their marksnen's badges in the
galleries and on the suh-target CUR
machines. by making A. out OF 80 OF
hand. a very sevcre test. are taken by
the league 10 the state range AT P-eks
Kill, where they shoot at 200 yards viii
the service rifle and ammunition. Al