Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-18
Military Instruction at Colleges.

One of the most important addresses of
the day was that of President q. w. Ather-
ton of the Pennsylvania State College on
military instruction at land grant colleges
DR.. Atherton spoke of the recent orders of
the War Department, requiring an increase
in military instruction and the system re-
Gently adopted of reducing the term Of serv-
service at the colleges. The speaker
sketched the effect of the first require
ment. but he did not like the second. The
detail was formerly for four years. but has
now been reduced to two years.
DR.. Anterior said he had visited the War
Department and had consultation with
the war college officials. and the officers
We're ins.stent on a literal Interpretation
OF the orders of the department.
President E. A. Bryan of the State Col
lege of Washington said he believed there
should be something done to bring about
an Improvement In the military instruction.
The system has been in existence for forty
years and there had never been any
change. Something should be done, he de-
clared to secure good service to the cadets
President w. Z. Stone of Perdue Uni
versity of Lafayette Ind, stated that he
heartily agreed with DR.. Bryan. He said
he was heartily in favor of military in
struction of the best sort. 1t is impossi-
BILE, however, he said, to execute literally
the last order of the War Department.
Prof. Stone said he could not understand
the authority of the department over the
land grant colleges. The situation is
fraught with danger of misunderstanding
he said.
The speaker believed that proper I'M
Outstanding could be reached by more fire.
quent consultation with the War Depart
ment officials
Prof. Charles W. Dabney. jr.. Of the
University of Tennessee said the gov
eminent should do more for the colleges
and furnish uniforms for cadets who de-
vote considerable time to military study
without any hope or chance Of reward.
Prof Bryan arose at this juncture and said
he did not believe there was any basis for
authority of the War Department over the
colleges.
DR.. George T. Winston of North Carolina
spoke of the desirability Of keeping the
military instruction up to a high standard.
was an element of strength in the insti-
tuition, and he could do without almost
any other branch of study more easily than
the military course. He said that the War
certain requirements. The government
through It's experts should have the entire
charge of the military instruction, as the
faculties Of the colleges cannot be expected
to be familiar with military science.
Prof Houston of the Texas Agricultural
College said he was opposed to military
government in colleges on general prin-
ciples, but that the matter at hand could
not be considered on general principles
The land grant colleges have moral obli-
cation to carry on military instruction
ana II SnOuIQ De the DUTY or the colleges
to endeavor to increase their military eff
ficiency.
AS a result OF the discussion the COM
mittee. Of which DR.. Atherton Is the head,
will be continued.
Amendments to Constitution.
The question Of the amendments to the
constitution was then laid before the con-
vention. The amendments were proposed
at the last meeting at Atlanta, Ga, and
were held over to this year. The most
important amendment proposed follows:
l. Amend the subtitle sections" by strik-
Ing out the first paragraph and inserting
the following:
~. The association shall be divided into
two sections:
(a) A section on college work and admin
istration.
(b) A section on experiment station work.
The section on college work and admin
istratton shall be composed Of the presi-
dents or acting presidents Of colleges and
universities represented In the association
or other representatives OF such institu-
tons duly and specifically accredited to
this section. and no action on public and
administrative questions shall be final with
out the assent of this section
The section on experiment station work
shall be composed o. che directors or act
ing directors OF experiment stations repre-
scented In the association or of other rem
resentatives OF such stations duly and spe-
officially accredited to this section.
Nh. G. d. Thome. director Of the agricul-