New-York tribune., 1917-06-17
Messrs. B. F. Yoakum and
E. D. Morton Give
Lands for Practice


tive organizations which has been de-
veloped under war conditions. Among
the first TO recognize the necessity oi
men being expert in the use OF flre-
arms. he founded a rife club at Ros'
lyn, with a fully equipped range OF six
targets, and 400, 300 and 700 yard frinH
lines. Under competent teachers the
members of the club began their prac'
tice several weeks ago. Captain j. A
Tregelles, of the Royal Marines, II. NJ
s., now on furlough in this cou1ti J
convalescing from wounds received in
active service, is general director OF
the organizations. The club at Roslyn
met with such instantaneous success
and generous support that others we're
organized at Westbury, Great Neck and
Farmingdale. Land for the use of
ranges was loaned by several residents,
who Joined Mr. Grace in developing the
work. A New York trust company gave
the property on which the Great Neck
range is located; +. d. Morton. the
field for the Westbury range; Ben
jamin +. Yoakum. the picturesque plot
which is being used by the rangers at
Farmingdale, and through the courtesy
of the Engineers Country Club, the
Roslyn range was made possible.
In speaking of the work and the sup
port he has received throughout Long
island, Mr.. Grace said: when the war
broke out | was in Hamburg, Germany.
After many hardships I reached Eng
land, where | remained for some time.
As you know, Englishmen like hunt
ing, and the majority handle firearms
correctly. When travelling about,
watching the preparation for war, |
noticed that target practice was uni
versal, and ranges were being organ
lied in all parts of England.
"In those early days of the war
felt that ultimately the United States
would become involved. | determined
that my services would be devoted 10
the establishment of rife clubs and
ranges on Long Island / started the
work last February at Roslyn. 1t
aroused general interest, and my cam
uaign for rife practice has resulted IN
the organizing Of clubs in many other
towns. The men are enthusiastic. They
are earnest workers, and ! feel that
the outcome Of rife club work Will be
an average standard of craftsmanship
that will nut our men on par with
those of other countries, who have had
greater practice.
"The rife club movement is a demo-
cratic one in the interest of prepared
ness. As il teaches the scientific use
of firearms, and also forms a general
meeting place for the members of the
clubs. il combines the practical and
social elements, and has grown with
great rapidity."
Besides the four towns in which Mr..
Grace has been interested, there are
clubs at Amityville, Huntington, lslp,
Fasthampton. Quogue, Smlthtown ahc
babylon. and Mr.. Grace is IN receipt
of many letters from all parts OF Long
Island requesting particulars OF the
organization methods. The clubs are
Governed bv a board of directors and
five officers-president vice president,
secretary. treasurer, and executive Off
Ger. Membership is open TO the men
of the community in which club is es-
tablished and nominal dues of So n
year are charged. Target practice Is
Acid daily under competent teachers,
,pecial attention being given to all be,
rinners to enable them to acquire skill
In the use of firearms, so that when
they are drafted they will be better
equipped for active service. 10 en-
courage expert craftsmanship, compe-
titions without handicaps will be held
al intervals throughout the summer.
The first one was held at Farmingdale
Saturday, June 16; the other three VIII
be at Roslyn. June %; Westbury, June
80. and Great Neck, July Z.
From each club team of SIX men
and one substitute has been selected
the team making the highest score
winning the cup. Scientific rules for
rife range competition will be fol
lowed. and the events will be conducted
according 10 regulation. From II
Stewart Inglehart, OF East Williston
the competition committee has received
cup as first prize, and with charac'
teristic enthusiasm Mr.. b. +. foakun
will give five $40 Liberty Bonds &
TO be won in the competition.
"ln this way we will encourage oui
men TO make greater effort and keeI
before them the element of patriotism
in the interest of which the clubs have
been founded" said Mr.. Yoakum IL
speaking Of the events.
The ranges where these affairs will
take place are built according to th'
regulations Of the American Manual o
Arms. under the personal supervision
Of Captain J. A. Tregelles. who is gen
eral director Of the clubs throughou
Long Island.
The rife club movement has becom,
so universal that Mr.. Grace and Cap
tain Tregelles are contemplating TIT
federation of the clubs, with headquar
tiers and general range at Port Wash
ington. As many of the clubs which
have been formed have no range, th'
members are negotiating for the us'
OF the ones at Farmingdale, Roslyn
Great Neck and Westbury. These ar,
limited in their scope. both as to th'
-. r lie
tance Of firing lines. The proposed
range at Port Washington will be on
large scale. the range committee hav
ing an option on sixty acres of prop
erty there.
"Our idea is TO form federation o
clubs under the title Of the Long Isl
and Rife Range Association" said Cap
tain Tregelles 10 the correspondent o
The Tribune. "The land we are con
sidering at Port Washington is idea
for the large range. We will have ter
firing lines, ranging from 1000 10 l0'
yards distance, with three targets 4
each range, pits for markers anC
safety retreats for rifemen, so that al
the ranges can be operated at once
in this way the members Of the clubs
from all the towns Of Long Island viii
be able 20 receive instruction from ex
perts and get target practice undel
the best possible conditions. The policy
Of running the various clubs will re
main unchanged, each organization re
tanning It's independence in the man
agement Of its business affairs, while
giving support TO the central club a
Port Washington.
"The new range is planned on such
large scale that the development o.
~ requires a capital Of from $4,000 L
$4,000 20 start IL. Mr.. Grace hai
equipped the four ranges which have
teen opened since February, meeting
all eHpenges. He has given 5000