The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1919-06-13

ever, congress authorized the participation of
teams composed of members of civilian rifle clubs
which are organized under the national board
for the promotion of rife practice In the war
department. AT the outbreak of the war with
Germany there We're in the United States more
than 1900 of these clubs with an aggregate in
dividual membership of about 100000.
During the war the membership of many of
these clubs was decimated' by volunteer enlist
ments and the draft. but since the armistice and
the rehabilitation of the troops most Of the
clubs have become more active than ever before
The opening of the National Matches to
civilian and rifiemen has proved n wonderful
impetus to rife practice as sport. and the eff
feet Of this policy together with that of the
government in fostering the organization of rifle
clubs were apparent in the records Of American
craftsmanship made on the fields Of France
Two Teams From Each State.
Under the laws controlling the government
competitions. National Guard team and civil
ian team from each state are authorized to at
tend the matches These teams are named by
the governor of the state. who may select the
personnel OF the teams through competition or
according to geographical distribution, or arbi-
trarily In addition to the two teams authorized.
as many additional teams as desired may en-
fer the competitions at their own expense
The National Matches. since their Inception
and until 1918, have been held either upon n
limited states army or state rifle range. This
vaar however the championships will be. de-
e,ded mon d United States navy range.
For the past ten years the navy has made
every effort to develop its bluejackets into good
xif1emen on the theory that proficiency with
small arms contributes In large degree to pro
fc,ency In handling huge naval rifles, developing
among the men physical control and eo-ordina-
finn Of mind and body--a principle which found
enthusiastic supporters in Secretary Daniels and
Assistant Secretary Franklin ID. Roosevelt There
fore when war was declared against Germany,
the Office OF gunnery exercise Of the navy de-
nartment lost no time in enlarglng the scope OF
its courses in craftsmanship.
The development of this activity took the
form az establishing a chain of rifle ranges
the principal stations being at Caldwell, n. J.,
tta largest of the chain Wakefield, Mass;
Cane Nav. N. j.; PeekskiIi. n. r; Great Lakes.
near Chicago; Glenn Burnie. Nd. Virginia Beach,
va: Mount Pleasant, s. G., and San Diego. Cal.
ON these ranges corps Of trained instructors not
only saw to It that the seamen from the battle
shin fleets were trained In handling of arms, but
took III the work Of instructlng any army recruits
that were sent to them. In addition TO this, and
IN connection with the range chain, Secretary
Daniels threw open the facilities Of the navy
shootinc camps to citizens, urging all civilians
to visit the ranges and learn to shoot.
Recognizing the service which the navy has
nerformed In the cause OF rife practice toward
bringing the United States again 70 It's tradf
fionn place iii the forefront of nations marks
men. the national board for the promotions of
rife practice recommended that the secretary or
war accept an offer made by the secretary OF
fhe navy Of one OF the big navy ranges for use
anring the National Matches in 1870 Approving
this Recommendation. the secretary of war teia-
dered the invitation to the navy 20 conduct the
co,upesifions When Secretary Daniels accepted