The Dickinson press., 1916-04-15
RIFLE SHOOTING C1T1zENRY

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From a national defense standpoint
the training in rifle practice of the
unorganized militia is of as vital i'm
portance to our country as the
training Of the regular establishment
and the organized militia. The vol
unteer who can hit what he shoots at
is eighty per cent efficient as a SOL
der.
The United States government has
stored away in it's ~arsenals approx
mately 100000 (Krag) u. S. maya
zine rifles, model 1908, and 10000, 900
ball cartridges for same. Uncle Sam
will issue these rifles and the ammu-
milton free to organized rifle clubs af-
fliated with the National Rifle As
ISOLATION of America for use of mem
bers at small arms practice. @
During the first quarter of 1916
just ended the Ordinance Department
issued to clubs 316 rifles and 1,438, 974
ball cartridges.
PRECEDENT Woodrow Wilson must
have had in mind the rifle club move
ment when he wrote his message to
Congress, in whcih he said. eve
must depend in every time of Nation
al peril in the future as in the past,
not upon a standing army, nor yet
upon a reserve army, but upon a
citizen who will volunteer for the
arms. It will be right enough, right
American policy, based upon our &C
customed principles and practices, to
provide a system by which every
citizen who will volunteer for the
training, may be made familiar with
the use of modern arms"
To teach the %citizenry the use of
the modern arm requires organiza-
ton of rifle clubs and small arms
practice under capable instructors.
Ten or more citizens of the United
States in any town or country near
which or in which a rifle range could
be constructed, r eligible to organ
ize a civilian rifle club and affiliate
with the National Rifle Association
of America. Blank forms and COP
of bylaws prescribed by the Nation
al Board for Promotion of Rifle Prac-
tice in the United States and instruc-
lions how to form a rifle club may be
secured from Major Fred H. Phillips
Jr., assistant Recorder National Boarc
for Promotion of Rifle Practice ano
Secretary, National Rifle Association
of America.
The object of the National Rifle
Association is to encourage marks.
mamship throughout the United
States, particularly in the direction
of qualifying as finished marksmer
those individuals who may be called
upon to serve in time of war; to en-.
courage competition in craftsmanship
between teams and individuals; to en-
courage legislation for the establish
ment and maintenance of ranges; tt
secure the issue of military rifles ant
ammunition to those practicing OF
these ranges, and to create a publ,
sentiment in respect to the neces
sity of rifle practice as a means O.
national defence.
The Association membership on De
cember 31st, 1915, as reported by tn,
Secretary, vas % State Rifle Asso
Citations; 60 Regiments; At Separat.
military organizations; 500 civilian
rifle clubs; "a college and universit!
! rifle clubs; 1923 school rifle clubs; !
Boys rifle clubs; $40 Life Members
943 Annual members.
During the past three months (Jan
E uary LIST to March 31st) 1916 inclus
| i've, the National Rifle Association
|. has gained in membership as fol
. lows: 1 State Association; 1 Regi
ment; ITO Civilian Rifle clubs; 4 Col
lege and University rifle clubs; 1!
: School rifle clubs; 4 Boys rifle clubs
"a Life Members; 1877 Annual Mem
bers.
The National Rifle Association wa!
incorporated in 1871 and since tina
time has been the one active agen'
in promoting rifle practice in tn
United States.
,, Official from the National Boart
for Promotion of Rifle Practice j,
the nUited States.
F. H.. PHILLIPS, Jr.
>, Assistant Recorder