Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-04


The following communication has been re-
ceived at The STAR office:
JANUARY 8, 1880.
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
A number of recent cases of fainting of high
school cadets under arms would seem to re-
quire the serious attention of the proper school
officials. Were anything of the kind to occur
in the army the proper medical officer who is
always on the spot, would at once make it his
business to thoroughly look into and seek to
remedy the defect. Unfortunately this bat
talon of boys is Differed and drilled by boys
Of their own age, who totally lack the
necessary knowledge and experience required
in such an emergency. Physical training is
useful and desirable, but in the case Of oOys at
such a critical age, physically speaking, their
minds perhaps overweight with study their
stomachs emptied Of food, it is simply cruelty
to turn them over to boys of eighteen and nine
teen to be drilled until they drop to the ground
Swooning, under the most favorable condition
is shock to the nervous system and drain on
vitality that ought to be prevented by all proper
means, and since the parents are not in posi-
ton to take charge the least they have a right
to expect is that these exercises be conducted
else abolished. PARENT
WHO Is TO BLAME2
A STAR reporter called at the high school
and spent some time inquiring into the truth
of this complaint. 1t is fact that there have
been several cases of fainting in the ranks, but
not single one has been at all serious, and.
moreover. 1t Is by no means 30 clear that the
blame belongs where parent would
place it. The drill is not severe
physical condition. and those who are
not are advised not to join the battalion.
The drill hall is large and well ventilated and
care is taken at all times not to overtax the
boys powers of endurance. The drill officer i'll
charge is not one of the boys of the school. al
though of course the chief battalion officer is
one of the cadets. Capt. Burton Ross OF the
Light Infantry, who is a thorough and efficient
drill officer, has charge of the drilling of the
school, and under his care the cadets when on
parade are Incorporating, manly set of young
fellows and are undoubtedly in much better
physical condition than they would be without
this regular course of exercise.
WHAT SUPERINTENDENT LANE SAYS.
Mr.. +. r. Lane, superintendent OF the high
school, said that in his opinion drilling was the
best sort Of exercise for young men who are
kept at their desks so much of the time. '.In
almost every case of fainting that has occurred
it has been found that the boy was in no con-
dition to take exercise, but said nothing about
it, II a boy does not feel able to drill he is re-
any time by getting permission from a superior
officer, and this granting permission is not OPP
tional with the officer, for he must do so when
ever requested. Last Juno in an exhibition
drill in front of the Arlington hotel one of the
cadets succumbed after leaving the ranks. On
examination it was found that the boy had
COME TO SCHOOL WITHOUT BREAKFAST,
had taken banana for his luncheon and then
tried to do his share Of work late in the after
noon of warm day. Now, say that was not
the fault of his Superior officer. Either the
boy or his parents were to blame. Yet that sort
OF thing occurs all the time Despite all our
lectures to the scholars about the necessity for
substantial food there are girls in the school
who come day after day without having eaten
a particle Of breakfast and taking q slice OF
cake and pickle for their luncheon. II they
get nervous or their health fails to stand the
strain it Is ascribed to the rigid course of work
at the school If the girls would only eat more
substantial food all the work they do here
would never hurt them, and if the boys took
ordinarily good care of themselves they would
be all the better for the regular drilling they
do after the time they spend in the school
| room. Capt. Ross is careful man and uses
great discretion i'll the way he drills the battal-
ion."
WHAT THE CADETS SAY.
Several OF the cadets were seen by the re-
porter, and they were unanimous in their
praises Of the way the system is managed. In
every case where a cadet has been overcome
they say the fault was the boys own, for he
might have left the ranks whenever he felt
that he was too tired to 60 on. They insist
that the cadet officers are efficient, careful and