Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-05-25
THE CADET CORPS.
Much Good Work Done During
the Year.

Col. Fast Anxious TO be Relieved From
the Work of .Commandant- He Has the
Corps in Fine Trim and Has Made
Many Improvements Since be HAS
Been in Command.
An order from the Secretary of War
relieving Major J NJ. Burns at the
Ohio State University and detailing
him at his own request as Comman-
dant of Cadets at the West Virginia
University, comes as a welcome relief
TO Colonel E. e. Fast. who since May
4th 1898, has been in command of the
Corps, in addition to doing the regular
work in his own department -Ameri-
lean History and Political Science.
The relief is largely due to the action
OF Colonel Fast himself, who, prior to
the last meeting OF the Board of Re
gents, submitted his report in writing
and urged upon the Board the import
ance Of securing an officer who could
give his whole time and attention to
the military department. The adj
ministration of the department by
Colonel Fast has been very satisfac-
tory and he would have been eontin-
ued in the place had he desired or even
been willing To do So But the Board
at last seemed TO recognize that it is
quite unfair TO require two mems
work OF one man over SO long period.
During the last two years the re-
quirements of the service have become
more rigid, but the Corps remains
practically full. Cadetships no longer
go begging. The applicants are in
excess of the places to be filled. I'm
der the direction of committee con-
sisting Of Colonel Fast, Professor
Hodges, and the President the drill
grounds have been vastly improved by
grading. During the last session of
the legislature an appropriation WAS
secured, largely through the influence
Of Colonel Fast for the construction
of an Armory. No one but the Board
of Regents knows why the Armory
has not been built. II may be that
the Board don't know.
Colonel Fast has done much to add
to the equipment, efficiency, and com
fort of the Corps He has had old
sent in thus relieving the Quarter
master of carrying property not in ex-
lstence or useless, that has been car
ried for years. Property old and worn
out ia service he has had sent in by
order Of the Ordnance Department of
the Army, inspected and condemned
and new property issued in its place.
Two pieces of artillery have been add
ed at his instance to the ordnance of
the Corps. The artillery now stands
out on the drill ground under canvass
covers, saving the handling of pieces,
as used to be done in the days of Capt.
Pierce. The target range has been
put in order and target practice now
goes on one or two days out of every
week. Above all, and what the ca
diets most appreciate, be has secured
the approval of regulations permitting
the wearing of the white summer I'M
iforms during the warm season of
! drill, white pants and caps. which
make the Corps an attractive body of
fine looking young men. 1t is notice
able that the personnel of the Corps
has much improved Of late. The Ca
diets are larger and stronger looking
young men than used to be seen in the
Corps.
Major Burns, who relieves Colonel
Fast is retired officer of the United
States Army, who is interested in
West Virginia property, and usually
spends his Summers at Mt. Lake
Park. He was the officer who mus
tered in the Second w. Va. Volun-
teers for the war with Spain, and is
already known TO some of our people.
He is expected to arrive June lst.