Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-29
ITO TEACH OFFICERS
New War College Rapidly Ap-
preaching Completion.
TO BE READY NEXT FALL
Secretary Roots Plan to Raise Stand
ard of the Profession.
AIDED BY SECRETARY TAFT
Importance of the Post and Garrison
schools-Picking Out the
Best Men.
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

Special Correspondence The Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
AT SEA, S. S. St Louis June 4, 1906
The new War College is approaching com
pletion and will be ready for occupancy
when the officer-students reassemble next
fall 1t is going to be of the hand
soonest buildings in Washington, and will
be a perpetual monument to Secretary
Root for his successful efforts in introduce
ing professional education into the army.
1t occupies the point of the peninsula be-
tween the Potomac and the Eastern branch
of that river, where the old arsenal used
to stand. 1t Is historic spot, although for
many years it has been condemned as I'M
healthful, and for long time was prac-
ticaly abandoned. Nearly two millions of
dollars have recently been expended there,
and the place will be one of the most at
tractve spots in Washington when the
buildings are finished. The main build
ings, designed by McKim. Meade &
White for the War College. cost 500, 600,
and S1010,000 has been expended in the
erection of thirteen sets OF commodious
officers quarters, an officers mess school
for engineers. two barracks large enough
for a battalion each of engineers, two mess
halls, barracks for the band, store house
for the quartermaster and commissary and
a supply depot for the Engineer Corps. All
these buildings are completed except the
War College.
The statue Of Frederick the Great, pre-
sented 20 the government of the United
States by the Kaiser Of Germany occupies
central pedestal on the terrace, and 1t Is
proposed to complete the picture by adding
two or more other figures of great generals.
The subjects have not been selected. Per-
hapS Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of
Wellington will be asked to stand guard
with the great Frederick. or perhaps Carl
baldt, Gustavus Adolphus or Alexander the
Great, Julius Caesar or some other of the
fighting of ancient fines wi no
lected.
Secretary Roots Plan.
But whatever knightly figure may stand
at the threshold to remind the. students. of
the glories and triumphs of war, Elihu
Roots spirit will pervade the atmosphere
and the beautiful buildings will be a per-
petual reminder of what he has done to
promote efficiency among the military
branch OF our government. In 1901 he laid
out complete system of military educa-
ton for officers. beginning with post
schools and terminating with the War Col
lege. his idea being to elevate the standard
of professional attainment, to make study
profitable and popular among the officers
and encourage men of genius to develop
their talent. There have been schools for
soldiers for many years; the government
owns two fine reservations in Kansas. 1000
acres at Fort Leayenworth and 10000 at
Fort Riley, with large plants in the shape
OF barracks, quarters, stables and other
Z
school for cavalry and infantry at Fort
Leavenworth, and Gen. Sheridan similar
school for infantry and field artillery at
Fort Riley. Gen. Schofield inaugurated an
artillery school at Fort Monroe and there
has been school of engineers at Willet's
Point, n Y for many years.
They have accomplished great deal of
good, but there has been no systematic or
serious education, and the work has been
limited to a comparatively few enthusiastic
officers. The general tendency in the
fndI ho f1I
fashioned dragon and infantryrnan looks
upon book learning with disdain and the
officers mess, the suffers store and the
card table have had greater attractions as
rule, than the library or the lecture
room; but today no officer of standing will
dispute the necessity Of thorough edu-
cation for the successful prosecution of a
professional career. The vocation of an
army officer as Secretary Taft remarked
in his report for 1905, is now properly con-
sidered one of the learned professions and
1t is profession in which the exact sci
ences are annually playing a larger part
In all branches of the service high tech
essential to keep abreast of modern
progress.
Carried on by Secretary Taft.
Secretary Roots plan is being success
fully carried out, for Secretary Taft is quite
as Jealous and thorough as his predecessor,
and Is introducing ideas of his own. OFF,
GERS are beginning to appreciate its impor-
lance to the service and the personal adj
vantages which 1t involves to themselves.
They are beginning to understand that a
special record of each individual Is made
at each step OF the course in order that
the most efficient and deserving shall be
given further opportunity for improving
themselves. and that the nation may at ali
times have at its disposal highly trained
body of officers and know where they are
to be found. 1t is intended that officers
who have uniformly shown the most inter-
est and the greatest proficiency at the post
schools, the general service and staff COL
lege and at the War College shall receive
high consideration at the War Department
with view to making OF their abilities
as military attaches to the legations and
embassies OF the United States abroad and
for the more responsible and honorable tlu-
ties OF general staff work
Secretary Root described the purpose of
his plan as follows:
L. The bringing of all the different
branches OF military education into one
system under direct supervision and in
spection by body of officers whose spe-
cial business it will be to make every part
OF the system effective
2. The establishment of definite re-
qutred courses Of instruction in offlcers.
schools at the several military posts.
which viii be the foundation of the whole
system.
20. The establishment OF general sery
Ice and staff college at Fort Ieayenworth.
SO that every officer who displays superior