Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-02
High School Cadet Campers in
Quandary.
Mr.. HUGHES POSITION
SCHOOL AUTHORITIES DECLINE
TO LEND REGIMENTS ARMS.
Appeal to War Department-The Mat
ter Likely to Go Before Pres
ident Roosevelt.

The High School Cadets who are prepar-
ing to go into encampment at Ocean City.
n, J.. are in a auandary in the matter of
| securing guns. For two weeks a contro-
| versy has been going on as to whether the
guns lent by the United States government
| for the use OF the Official High School Ca
Diet Regiment under bond can be given
! over to the boys organizing independently
| for the summer camp.
Parents. members of the school board.
| the District Commissioners and officials Of
| the War Department have taken hand.
! but the guns have not been turned over as
| yet by the high school officials. 1t Is init
| mated that unless an understanding is
reached today the matter will be laid be-
| fore the President.
| 1t is understood the annual High School
Cadet encampment movement has been
practically perfected; the site has been put
| IN proper condition; tents. cots. equipment
| and commissary stores are ready, and only
| the guns are in question. Without guns
there can be no drill, and\ hence, 1t Is said.
no camp.
Commandant O.. c. Howard. proceeding
| Systematically in the matter of procuring
for use the guns handed over to the high
schools for the cadet regiment by the
United States government. called on Presi-
dent J. Holdsworth Gordon of the board
OF education. who. 1t is said, not only gave
PcrHIiSSiOH tHAt the roster OF the High
School Regiment might be used to get
names for enlistment purposes. but ex-
pressed himself as heartily in sympa .hy
with the aspirations Of the young soldiers
and as entirely willing to give over the
guns. provided the supervisor OF high
schools. Mr.. Percy M. Hughes. should give
assent. Mr. Hughes declined to permit the
guns to go out of his care. on the ground
board, and that he would under no circum-
stances be personally responsible for he
ma tier.
School Board Absent.
The difficulty presented here by the alb
sence OF the school board demanded i'm
mediate attention. The matter was carried
TO the War Department. with the result
that Brig. Gen. William Crozier, chief of
ordnance. wrote In reply to C. o. Howard,
commandant OF the cadet camp, under date
of July %. that Mr.. Towards letter of
July p. addressed to the Secretary of War.
had been referred to the ordnance office for
action with respect to taking to camp 200
High School Cadet rifles and side arms and
tht the department had no objection to
the removal Of these arms for the purpose
for which they were supplied to the school,
namely. for military instruction and prac-
tice." by the students of the High School.
provided 1t did not affect the validity of
Gen. Crozier also stated in this letter that
the records OF the Office show these arms
are insured in at least one company and
probably in other companies.
When again approached by Capt. w. U.
Steinberg and other officers OF the new Or
ganizatlon. Mr.. Gordon. 1t Is said expressed
unwillingness to be responsible for the
loan. As no meeting OF the board could be
called. and as he himself could not take
action, he referred the boys again to Mr.
Hughes and the War Department.
Mr.. Gordon's Letter.
Later he sent out letter addressed to
Messrs. w. U. Steinberg and others. in
which he stated that after fully consider
Ing the matter of the loan of guns asked
for by these gentlemen. to be carried out
of the District by an organization of young
men attending mainly the local schools. he
found he had no authority to give the per-
mission asked. 1t was stated also in the
letter that the rules Of the board of educa-
ton forbid the loan of any prop
erty of the schools for other than school
purposes and that the guns were loaned by
the United States government for school
purposes and a bond for their safe keeping
has been given.
Mr.. Gordon went on to say that If he
had the power he would willingly grant the
request but he feared even If a meeting of
the board could be called 1t would not be
authorized to grant the permission. In con-
clusion. he stated that il the War Depart
ment would temporarily release the board
from all responsibility and authorize the
loan. or lend them direct, Mr.. Hughes
would doubtless turn them over
1t is pointed out that President Gordon Is
under some Misrepresentation when he says
IAN organization Of young men attending
mainly our schools" Mr.. Grigg, assistant to
Commandant Howard, asserts that all the
boys are from the High Schools and are
High School Cadets.
In the dilemma the matter was laid be-
fore Commissioner Macfarland who ad-
dressed the Secretary of War saying that
he trusted 1t might be possible for the
department to permit the cadets of the
High School regiment who are about to go
into camp at Ocean City. N. j.. for four
weeks to have the loan of the guns which
they require for drilling purposes upon
furnishing proper security for their safe re-
turn. He agreed with the president of the
board Of education that the board had no
right to make the loan, and said that the
Commissioners had no means of providing
the funds required. He concluded with the
statement that he regards the men in
charge of the camp as entirely reliable. and
that he was satisfied no loss to the gov
eminent will result from the loan of the
guns for the purposes of the camp.
Appeal to Gen. Chaffee.
General A. R. Chaffee. acting Secretary
o; War. when approached by Col Creed
Fulton of the cadet organization and mem
bers of his staff, expressed himself, it is
said. as entirely willing that the guns
Should be given out under proper bond. He
said:
High School officials and we have no au-
thority over them. Personally, / should be
willing. If proper bond and insurance IS
gwen. that they should be carried any
where. But the matter is not in my hands.
''AlI guns now gwen out by the War De-
partment for use in the High School are
bonded and insured. Mr. Chaplin Brown.
the only bondsman now in the city, has
been interviewed and says he Is entirely
satisfied and will give his permission cheer
fully that the guns he delivered to the ca
diets. In order. however. that there be no
question of security. Comma ndant Howard
has seen several business men. among
whom is Mr.. C. NJ. Forrest, who is said to
be prepared to rebond and reinsure the
property against any possible damage or
loss.
When confronted by this condition. 1t is
said Mr.. p. M. Hughes. when called on by
Commandant Howard and Mr.. Forrest, de-
clared an additional objection, which was
that precedent would be established by
the loan OF guns: that the organization.
while one composed of high school cadets
was not under school Jurisdiction and that
in the future he would be bothered by re-
quests from any group of people who cared
for any reason to use for exhibition OF other
purposes the guns In his keeping.
Conferred With Col Ross.