Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-12
THE MILITARY ACADEMY
Points in the Annual Report of the superin-
tendent.
Col. Mills RecOmme nds Additional
Hospital ROOm-PrOpOsed Changes
in Curriculum.

The annual report of Col. A. L. Mills.
superintendent of q G United States Mill
tary Academy, has been made public by
the Secretary of War The academic year
opened with 357 cadets the rolls. the
largest number ever in attendance at one
time. OF the number three are foreigners.
one each from Costa Rica, Venezuela and
San Salvador, who are receiving instruc-
ton at their own expense, under special
authority of Congress.
The following changes occurred during
the year in the strength of the corps of
cadets:
DISCHARGED for deficiency in studies, %;
for deficiency in discipline 2; for physical
disability 9; dismissed, 3: resigned IL;
graduated -; candidates admitted during
the year. 145.
Hospital Facilities Inadequate.
The health of the corps of cadets on the
whole has been good throughout the year,
the ailments that have occurred being con-
fined as rule to bruises. sprains and the
simple complaints. Exceptions however.
to this rule were an epidemic of influenza.
which attacked the battalion during the
winter, but from which no serious illness
followed. and during the summer encamp-
ment an outbreak of scarlet fever, the
origin of which could not be traced. Rig
orous quarantine and other measures con-
fined the scarlet fever to eleven cadets, all
of whom now, due to the skillful and care
full attention they have received, have re-
covered from the dreaded disease.
Both outbreaks forcibiy demonstrated,
the superintendent says, the entire made
commodations and the necessity for
promptly adding to the hospital the south
wing the plan of the building contemplated
The Instruction.
Col Mills says the academic instruction
of cadets continues in the high state OF
efficiency and thoroughness that has mark
ed it for many years, and signally shows
the earnest work the heads of the differ
ent departments give to their duties.
An important change in the curriculum
of studies went into effect with the COM
mencement of the present academic year
by the transfer from the second-class to
the fourth-class course of the recitations in
the elementary part Of infantry and artll-
lery drill regulations in security and In
formation, and in the srnall-arms firing reg
ulations. Col. Miller says: This change
will be of advantage in permitting an eX-
tention of the theoretical instruction in drill
regulations and minor tactics of the sec
ond class, and of the practical instruction
in the third-class camp. Also cadets dis
charged by failure in studies during their
first year at the academy will acquire
fuller tactical training, advantage, if
the country
Proposed Changes.
The course of practical instruction en-
bodied under the heads of Drill and train
ing in infantry Cavalry and artillery"
Minor tactics" Target practice and mill
tary administra ton has been considerably
extended during the year. Other improve
ments in practical instruction are contem-
plated as equipment and time become
available to enhance the military efficiency
of the graduated cadet and fit him per-
fectly as the course of the academy can
for the command and responsibilities he is
SO frequently called upon to exercise, i'm
mediately after graduation, as a commits
stoned officer of the army.
A most important change recognizing mil
itary efficiency and soldierly department in
the graduating standing of the cadets from
which, the superintendent believes, the most
beneficial results will flow, went into eff
feet June /. The project was proposed by
the commandant of cadets, and after
practical trial of five months was recon-
mended by the academic board and adopt
ed by the War Department.
Physical Training.
1t is reported that the course of physical
training, embracing military gymnastics,
fencing and swimming. is now highly de-
veloped and of the greatest benefit to cadets
in their physical development and general
health.
Athletic sports have received reasonable
encouragement throughout the year. The
interest cadets show in the games of base
Tall, foot ball, polo, golf and tennis is graf
1fy1ng In the extreme and cannot but be
beneficial in fitting them for their profess
sion as Well as a needful relaxation from
the mental strain the requirement of the
academic course entails.
Steps have been taken to procure a bat
terry of mountain guns with traction and
n n hot
this most valuable instruction. the impor-
lance of which our Indian service and the
campaigns in Cuba, Porto Rico and in the
Philippines have fully demonstrated.
model seacoast battery of two guns is also
under consideration, and when located and
equipped will make complete the means
for artillery instruction.
Pay of Cadets.
Superintendent Mills invites attention to
the pay of cadets and recommends that
they be placed upon the same pay footing
as their brother cadets of the Naval Acad-
envy. The pay Of the army cadet is S540
per annum; that of the naval cadet is 5000
per annum and daily ration committed at
10 cents, difference of $50 50 per annum
In favor of the latter The pay of the army
cadet is expected to provide for his support
at the avademy and his equipment as an
officer when he graduates and enters the
army. 1t is inadequate. says Col Mills for
these purposes without other assistance
and the small increase recommended would
be great relief to many cadets who find
themselves often embarrassed during their
cadetship and for some time after entering
the army.
The estimates for the next fiscal year are
submitted. Considerable needed new con-
structfon has been asked for, which makes
the total appropriation much larger than
In previous years; in other respects, the es-
Inmates are essentially the same as in the
past.
COLUMBIAN UNIVERSITY TRUSTEES.
DIR. HuntingtOn's Resignation Not Ac-