Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-03

or the settlers gun was his protection,
and frequently his daily bread.
To preserve this widespread famil-
tarity with firearms-which is a step
toward creating respect for them-or
to reinstate 1t, if it has lost it's footing
among to-day's potential defenders OF
the United States, Congress has au-
thorized and provided funds for MAIN
tanning rifle ranges for practice by
civilians, under the supervision of the
War Department.
Value in Shooting Ability
The words of the National Defense
Act providing these facilities are:
The Secretary of War shall annually
submit to Congress recommendations
and estimates for the establishment
and maintenance of indoor and out
door rifle ranges, under such a com
prehensive plan as will ultimately re-
suit in providing adequate facilities
for rifle practice in all sections of the
country. And that all ranges so es-
tablished and all ranges which may
have already been constructed, in
whole or in part with funds provided
by Congress, shall be open for use by
those in any branch of the military or
naval service of the United States and
by all able-bodied males capable of
bearing arms, under reasonable regu-
lations to be prescribed by the con-
trolling authorities and approved by
the Secretary of War. That the Presi-
dent may detail capable officers and
non-commissioned officers of the regu-
lar army and National Guard to duty
at such ranges as instructors for the
purpose of training the eitizenry in the
use OF the military arm. Where rifle
ranges shall have been so establish ed
and instructors assigned to duty there
at, the Secretary of War shall be au-
thorized to provide for the issue of a
reasonable number of standard mill
tary rifles and such quantities of am
munition as may be available for use
in conducting such rifle practice.
The section of. the general army
appropriation bill providing expenses
incurred in opening the ranges to
civilians is as follows:
To establish an maintain indoor and
outdoor rife ranges for the use of all
able-bodied males capable of bearing
arms. under reasonable regulations to
be prescribed by the National Board
for Promotion of Rifle Practice and
approved by the Secretary of War; to
provide standard military arms and
ammunition, indoor gallery rifles and
ammunition: for the establishment of
outdoor and indoor rife ranges in
Guiding labor in operating targets; for
the employment of instructors: for
clerical services; for prizes, trophies.
badges. and other insignia; for the
transportation of employees, instructors
and civilians to engage in practice; for
the purchase of materials, supplies
and services. and for expenses Incl
dental to instruction of citizens of the
United States in craftsmanship, to be
expended under the direction of the
Secretary of War and to remain avail
able until expended. 100000: Pro-
vided. That the President be, and he is
hereby, authorized in his discretion, to
appoint as Director of Civilian Marks
manship. under the direction of the
Secretary of War, an officer of the
army or of the Marine Corps.
Money For Contests
For the payment of transportation
of teams authorized by the Secretary
of War to participate in the national
matches $50. 900; Provided, That this
amount shall be proportioned among
the several States. Territories, and the
District of Columbia, according to the
distance from the seat of government
to the places where the national
matches are to be held: And provided
further. that the Governors of the
States and Territories or the Board of