The Washington times., 1903-11-29

additional light on the recent "cap pc
tition" of the officers Of the high school
cadet regiment. In a recent publica-
ton of local paper it was stated that
the movement originated at the Eastern
High School The following quotation
from the Hand and Mind" in addition
TO contradicting this story. also sheds
some light as to the connection OF
Percy NJ. Hughes, director of the high
schools, with the affair. The article
from Hand and Mind" follows.
The True Inwardness.
Tor some time past there has been
motion current among the commits
stoned officers OF the high school ca
dets TO have the old French style OF
caps, that the cadets are wearing at
present, replaced by the more recent
style Of cap adopted by the United
states Army. This movement was start
ed by Captain Bond, of the Business
High School He saw Colonel Huddle-
son and talked with him about IL, and
the colonel saw Mr. Hughes. who Oh
Jected to having the style changed He
gave as his reasons, first, they cost
too much, s. for the second lieutenants
cap, and more for the others as they ad-
vanced in rank; second, that we are not
officers OF the regular army. but only
a cadet corps. and third. that they did
IsSt look so well as those used at pres
ent. and were not as serviceable.
But the officers of Tech would not
take no for an answer, and so they
got up a petition which was signed by
everyone except the colonel. who was
neutral in the matter At the same
time the other high schools were told
over the wire Of this movement and
they got up similar petitions. which
were all sent to Tech and afterward
to the Board of Education.
Director Hughes Veto.
Major Hall and Captain Butman saw
Mr. Hughes again. but got the same an
swer as Colonel Huddleson. He told US
it was too late 10 think of making such
a change anyway. as the contract had
already been made for the regular caps.
He told US that once before in the HIS
tory of the cadets the regulation style
Of army caps had been adopted. bur
that the scheme had failed. and that at
the end of the year the officers were
glad enough TO 20 back to the old style.
What else could we do but drop the
matter? Mr.. Hughes had said no. and
the petition had not been heard from
The forwarders Of the petition. it IS
said. committed a breach of high school
etiquette" In not sending the petition
TO the Board of Education through Mr.
Hughes And this was evidently done
because Mr. Hughes had previously
given an adverse decision on the mat
ter BY the outcome Of tp9 affair il is
seen that the cadets would have Jared
just as well had the petition gone
through the proper channeI-that Is. first
to Mr. Hughes. It Is true. 1t would
have been unfavorably indorsed by Mr.
Hughes. but It would have reached the
board in a proper manner.
Debating League.
The first move on -the part Of the
local high schools pupils looking TO the
formation of an inter-high school de-
batting league were taken at Central
High School last week. The debating
society Of that school in addition to
eIecting It's own officers, also appointed
a committee to confer with other local
high schools, and. il possible, arrange
series Of fnter-high school debates. At
present Business. Central, and East
ern high schools have organized so
cfeties and formed teams, and 1t is
said the other high schools viii fall in
line if an organization OF the league is
effected. The societies at present organ