Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-09
NOMORECIGARETTES
West Point Cadets Will Not Be Allowed to Use Them.

Washington, D. c., Oct 9.-A posi- tive ban has been placed on cigarette smoking among the cadets at West Point, and among the midshipmen at the naval academy. Many of the boys who enter the two academies have not attained, physically, their full growth. An investigation of the subject by the army and navy author ities convinced them that the smok- ing of cigarettes, while not absolutely injurious in some cases, is likely to be so in many other cases. It was determined, therefore, to prohibit, by regulation, the smoking of cigar cites by the cadets and "middies at any time during their course at the academies.
 The smoking of pipes and cigars is permitted among the students at both academies. Of course, restric- tions are thrown around smoking, but, notwithstanding the protests against the practice which has been entered from time to time, 1t is al- lowable for them to smoke at certain specified times.
 The regulations as to smoking among the West Point cadets recent ly have been amended so as to pro vide that they may indulge in the habit at certain specified times. They may smoke in barracks and they may smoke when the cadets are in camp, within certain parts of the encamp- ment. Smoking is not permissible, however, when the cadets are on duty or on leisure about the encampment grounds. It practically is limited to the hours of recreation. Even in hospitals, in certain individual cases. cadets may be permitted to smoke, if the practice is approved by the surgeon in charge. It lies with the surgeon to prescribe the time and place of smoking in the hospital.
 At the naval academy, the regula- tions pertaining to smoking are sim liar to those at West Point. The practice Is not prohibited, absolutely, but it is discouraged. Under the regulations. no boy who is cigarette smoker can be admitted to the acad- emy.
 Both the army and the navy off. cials have given great consideration to the subject of smoking among the cadets and midshipmen. but 1t has not been deemed practicable to adopt a regulation to prohibit smoking General Mills. who was relieved only short time ago as superintendent of the military academy, maintained that cadets who were inclined tC smoke would do SO in secret, if the practice was prohibited. thus break ing the rules and. to an extent, sub 1 verting discipline. His idea. was tC permit smoking with definite restric tions such as would appeal to thu cadets. This was found to work well General Mills plan will be followed by his successor as superintendent Colonel H. l.. Scott.
 Practically the same experience was had by the authorities of ths naval academy. The midshipmen therefore. will be permitted to smoke under certain vell-deflned regula tions-
 It is a matter of congratulatior lamong officials of both the army ant the navy that at both academies tn practice of smoking seems to be oi the vane- The reason for this is no evident. Drinking by the boys at tn academies Is not countenanced by tn authorities. at all. and feu of eithe the cadets or midshipmen indulge fl that practice. When any of them d drink. ft is more of a prank-a desir to be real naughty-than a wish t satisfy a desire for liquor.