"the United States is doing less than any other nation to instruct its boys and young men in the use and knowledge of firearms....."

TO TRAIN BOYS FOR WAR.

Will Ask Congress to Arm Rifle
Clubs-334,000 Krags on Hand.

(Washington Post.)

   With the reassembling of Congress a concerted effort will be made by friends of rifle practice to secure the enactment of a law to permit the Secretary of War to issue old "Krag" rifles, with ammunition, for use by rifle clubs organized throughout the country under the rules of the national board for the promotion of rifle practice. The proposed law also will be designed to permit the issuance of similar ordnance supplies, not of the existing service model, and, therefore, not necessary for the maintenance of the proper army reserve supply, to schools having a uniformed corps of cadets and carrying on military training.

   War Department officials are agreed that the training of the youth of the country is a fundamental principle of national defense.

No Expense to the United States.

   They declare that although this principle is universally recognized, the United States is doing less than any other nation to instruct its boys and young men in the use and knowledge of firearms.

   No expense to the Federal Treasury will he incurred if the proposed plan is carried out, as the arms and ammunition to be issued are already owned by the United States, and, being no longer used in the regular army, are held in armories, where they are passing into the stage described by ordnance officers as obsolete.

   Under the proposed statute 40 rounds of ball cartridges suitable for the rifles issued would be allotted for each range at which target practice is had, the total not to exceed 120 rounds a year for each man participating in the practice. All supplies would be issued subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of War, insuring the desired use of the property as well as its proper care, and its ultimate return to the Federal government.

[Keowee Courier, Walhalla, South Carolina, Wednesday, January 14, 1914. New Series No. 821.--Volume LXV.--No. 2. Pg. 3]