New-York tribune., 1900-10-19

Colonel Mills makes an urgent recommendation
for radica! changes in the requirements Of admis-
sion. in the course 0f which he says:
The failure IN the closing hours OF the last session
! Of Congress os ne provision in the Military Acad-
emy bill repeating the present fixed mental re
placing these requirements IN the control OF the
al friends OF rbe AeadenS seen Who h51e siTea t tho le
subject close thought or recognized its Importance
handicap To- tEe ar3dsnSi, ITstrTSti11 r. irltj-
uon mas done and has been capable of doing The
TACT would seem q sufficient commentary on the
present standard OF admission that a student in
good standing, no matter how far advanced IN any
OF ne I'tt~rEl'Ies - me eoSntry wnen appointed
mas 70 go back and take up work ne has already
pointmeut If such student receives an appoint
Iacui suddenly without sufficient time 70 prepare,
law be given him TSe r9fte- - sgain ca1Isg
earnest recommendation that Congress be further
under the control Of the Secretars OF Var SO tbat
they may be kept by him 10 accord with he stand
systems, BY statute, in ls12, Congress prescribed
tnat candidates 70 be admitted 20 The academy
arithmetic These requisites remained unchanged
ADDED that candidates We're TO have a knowledge
- tHe t,eInells or t.Ls-lsl amman OF u9scTptve
and OF the history of the United States" These
eishtv"sevea yesrs Being 56e additio4 Of an sls
mentary knowledge OF English grammar United
standing the fact that The school facilities OF the
fFn 5Ganty nd ar y ~ t,rIie T.1r Iie
in schools has also greatly changed
DISCIPLINE SATISFACTORY.
The discipline Of the Corps Of Cadets is satisfac-
tory During the current year the policy tnaugu-
largely Increased privileges to deserving cadets has
been carried out and has given. I believe, excel
force a regulation. the result OF much careful
thought which divided monthly each class into
three conduct grades, according 70 their recorded
aemertt for the preceding calendar month Priyi-
Of duty being allowed the first grade Of the first
It is pleasure TO be able to report that believe
there has been an absolute elding this summer OF
new cadets which were referred 70 in my last an
This satisfactory condition has been brought
about largely by the voluntary action OF cadets
In no army in the world IS there less OF harshness
IN the training OF the recruit than II our own ano
neither brutality nor harshness Is necessary to
me strictest su5ordinaron and the best discipline.
CADET ACCOMMODATIONS
The considerable increase in the number Of cadets
imperative enlargement Of the Acadenlys present
p.a9L Additional harrack room 5or cadets Is
space health requires; the entire building
must must be used as a mess nal and ITS present Old
placed oy new one with modern machinery and
IONS LOT Celels WI nave 10 oe pI oHLueu
and the gymnasium. chapel and camp ground
also necessity. As the speedy enlargement, how
ever. OF the cadet hospital, kitchen and camp
ground IS imperative these items are included in
the annual esIiua In reference TO the further
enlargement OF the Academy's plant, IL is recon-
nerded that Congress be asked to provide a COM
peuent commission and necessary appropriation 70
draw Up and carry out plan OF improvement
which will not only provide for the present needs
Of the Military Academy, but will also admit OF
future extension. The method that has been pur-
sued TO the present time at the Academy in meet
ing increases by temporary rakeshifIS and made
quate construction is not only destructive 10 the
convenience and 70 the dignity ana beauty OF the
institution architectural whole, but IS most
wasteful snd extrava ganr in the long run.
In conclusion Colonel Mills calls attention the
West Point Hotel and recommends thar Con-
gress be urged TO appropriate sufficient funds
renovate il. He says
Foint, mas always been necessary adjunct TO the
Academy, and in the future VIII be more than
ever before, owing to the large ueighboring hotel
az Highland Falls having been recently transformed
into school. The hotel erected from funds
procured from the sale Of timber the reserva-
has been enlarged from time time and kept n
repair by the rental, the Government receiving the
balance Congress has appropriated funds
for IT The interior Of the building is anti
ordinary comfort for it's guests. AS the primary
purposes Of the hotel for the accommodation
OF boards of visitors and other Government Of
dctalS. and for the parents and guardians OF
elled and reftted and given the couvenences a
building owned by the United States should fur
nish. As simple business proposition this action
IS certainly advisable the increased rental
received would give good interest the money
pended far the purpose