Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-11
TRAP SHOOTERS WILL AID
SHOTGUNS AND BUCKSH0T
WILL BE USED BY SOLDIERS
Traps Installed at Various Canton
mcnts. and Experts Volunteer for
Instructors Mt Camps.

The value OF trapshooting and the
use OF the shotgun in modern warfare
has been recognized by the United
States government and plans have been
made for the installation OF traps at
the environments and aviation schools.
The following letter addressed 10 the
gun and ammunition interests by the
aviation section OF the signal corps
bespeaks the government attitude:
The Importance OF shooting from an
airplhrc is brought home TO us every
day from the European front. Ii is the
intention OF the aviation section Of
the signal corps to give the candidates
for flying instruction, as mach practice
as possible with the shotgun. rife and
machine gun.
I'm order to accomplish this in the
most desirable way we have reached
the conclusion that the shotgun would
he the best adar,ed for our purpose,
readily at the fields
IF possible, we would like to obtain
the names OF men competent TO act as
instructors. near the following men
struction can be given without unnec-
essary expense or delay.
The schools are located at: San
Diego. Cal: san Antonio, Tex: Mine
ola. l.. l.. \: y: EssinGton Pa: Fair
field, Ohio; Wichita Falls, Texas: Hous-
ton, TEX: Waco Tex; Mt. Clemens.
Fort SILL Okla: Hampton. Va: Dallas.
Ten, Memphis. Tenn; Lake Charles.
La.
In answer 10 the above request the
gun and ammunition companies Of
Tered the services of professional trap
shooters as instructors for whatever
length OF time the government needs
them. and also furnished the names of
many amateur trapshooters who are
proficient 10 act as instructors in the
government service.
AS instructors are listed as profess
SIGNALS in trapshootinE. r. f. Doremus.
president OF the Interstate Association,
the ruling body on trapshootinG. has
dccreed that amateurs who are re-
uuested by tho government TO give in
Struction at the aviation schools shall
not be classed as professionals
Traps have been placed in position at
many OF the aviation schools. and sew
cral traps and more than 100000 clay
targets have been forwarded TO the
avia corps in France. The soldiers
practice with the shotgun before they
arc thrown into battle.
That the government fully believes
that the shotgun and buckshot Will be
useful In the preliminary training for
this war is evidenced by the erection
OF traps at the environments al Ameri-
can Lake. Wash; Quantieo, Va. and
Kansas City, Mo. Professionals are at
each OF these camps giving instruction
in the breaking of tho clay targets. the
holding and firing of the shotgun. etc.
In due course of time il is expected
traps will be placed at every canton
ment. and that there will be instruc-
tors TO teach the proper method in
shooting at clay targets. In taking UP
trapshootinE the government gives
voice TO the opinion that men who can
handle the shotgun, and trapshuotcrS.
are of material aid in warfare.
The action OF the government in
adopting trapshootinG will have a
beneficial effect on clay target shoot
ing when the war is over. s,akins
Nrapshootins part OF the instruction at
The environments and aviation schools
shows that there is something back or
u besides Sport---ihat IL has Il rcu!
foundation. Government appreciation
will make trapshooting n major sport.