The morning call., 1895-02-12
WHAT DIRECTOR DODGE SAYS.
Nearly ALI the Directors Indorse the
New Idea.
CONFERENCE WITH COLONEL CUTLER.
When His Commission Arrives the feces.
sary Petition Will Be Filed
With the Board.

The movement to introduce military
training in the public schools not only OF
this city, but of California, is now fairly
under way, and the indications are that it
will meet with unqualified success.
Colonel Alfred D. Cutler held an import
ant conference with Henry l.. Dodge,
president of the Board of Education, yester-
day. The matter was discussed in all its
details.
81 am quite certain said President
Dodge, during the day, "that resolution
in accordance with Colonel Cutters ideas
will be unanimously passed by the board
whenever he sees fit to introduce it. Col
onel Cutler has been expecting his COM
mission from Commander-in-Ch Chief Lawler,
but it has not come, and he hesitates to
take decisive steps until he receives 1t. 1t
is likely that the matter will come up in
some shape at our meeting on Wednesday,
in which case it will be referred to the
proper committee"
President Dodge stated further that in
conversation with several Directors on the
subject, he found the sentiment in favor
of military instruction in the schools to be
almost general. AS for himself, he cor
daily indorsed the movement.
The militia and Grand Army men are
unanimous in their Endorsement Major
D. E. Miles, commander of the Signal
Corps of the Second Brigade, National
Guard of California, said the project was
one of the most important that had come
to the attention of the public for many
years.
81 do not believe there is a parent in the
city who will oppose it," remarked he.
1.-The idea of military training for the
young boys is noble one, and it should
be commended by every one. Aside from
the fact that such training inspires the
noblest patriotism in boy, it makes a
man of him physically, Thirty minutes
drill every day would be a relaxation to
a studious youth and straighten out his
spine. In word, military drill not only
makes patriotic citizens, but it invigorates
the health and inspires ambition. Mill
tary instruction should have been part of
the course of study in the public schools of
this country years ago"
H. w. Mortimer, senior vice-commander
of Lincoln Post No. l, G. A. R., is an en-
thusiastic supporter of the movement,
which in his Judgment was bound to be
successful.
every boy in the city is interested in
this project" said he, "and if canvass were
made, doubt if single protest against it
would be heard. A good military training
for growing boy must necessarily be of
benefit to him. Not only will he be physi-
cally better man, but in the hour of his
country's danger his services will be in
valuable. l will mot say that raw recruit
fights worse than disciplined soldier but
the work of disciplined soldier will prove
more effective in the long run. There is
only one argument on this whole matter,
and that is in its favor. Every father of a
son will watch the outcome of this move
ment with interest"
The various Grand Army posts in the
city have taken an active interest in the
matter, and when the Board of Education
takes it up there will be plenty of material
to back up Colonel Cutters petition, which
will be filed as soon as the arrival of his
commission as chief aid of the commander
in-chief vests him with authority to pro-
ceed definitely. The commission is ex-
pected daily, but in the meantime Colonel
Cutler is doing all he can to increase the
interest of the public in the laudable enter
prise which he has undertaken.