The Washington times., 1907-01-22
Bullying Small Boys
In High School Cadets
IS Stopped by House
Measure Makes Service Obligatory Unless
Minus Playground and Lecture Money

Iu the consideration by the House late
yesterday afternoon of the District app
preparation lin. which was passed. Ar.
GilIeUt OF Massachusetts. i'm charge ut
the measure. made an extended explain
alton OF The Appropriation Committee
ambition 90 legislate out OF existence
some alleged bullying oi small boys that
has been going on in the high schools,
The clerk had just read the section
providing that every boy in the high
schools shall enter She Hish school
Cadets unless excused from such service
by a physicians certificate or by his
parents consent Representative John
son wanted to know why an boys should
Dee compelled 10 enter the cadet corps
Choose Large Boys.
eff tHe gentleman viii allow me To ex-
plain the reason for that rlagse. am
i'm hopes Do. viii withdraw his point
OF order said AIR. Gillett There Is
now in th- ugh schools cadet corps In
each school There is "a good deal OF
rivalry in tHa different companies In the
different schools as 10 who shall have
the best drilled and the best appearing
company. ard consequently in some OF
the larger schools ia has been the GUS
tom. PROMPTED thereto by the desire to
have the besl appearing company. 10 Try
10 prevent tire small boys OF the school
from belonging 90 the company, who
are very apt 90 be tne ones who need
the exercise sud drilling more than any
other: GuJ iu order thar they may have
"a company OF large BOYS. uniform 81
size and. consequently. of excellent APP
uearauce. with a better chance OF win
ming the prizr. they kept the small boys
out.
Now. We Thought that it was best
that every boy should at least have the
right to belong 10 a company; that IL
the physici1n thought he ought not iOln.
or if his Parents cid moi want him To
ioin. il could uc arranged that ne need
not be ohlieet 20 join, but that lac had
the right to Join if he desired 10 do so,
and for Jhat reason We 9uJ ia THIS
clause.
Makes It Obligatory.
To this extent would be willing to
go. said Air. Johnson. As ] read this
language, il mikes it obligatory upon
every boy ents ring the high school 10
join these cad.t companies. In other
words. it fcrccs the boy, unless ne fur
nishes a certificate from the doctor or
the written consent OF his parents or
guardian. 10 go into this military or
eanizatOn.
NOW. ! would be willins 70 do this;
TO employ language so that any boy can
be permitted. not that IL shall be obS~a-
tory on his part, to go into this cadet
organization, and IL shall be obligatory
on the part of the cadet organization
OF the schools 70 accept him if he does
go. In other words. il would prevent
them from keeping out the small boys
1T is the only purpose We are aiming
at =" replied Mr.. Gillett, and If the gen
tleman can suggest any language which
he thinks viii provide better than this.
/ am perfectly willing 10 accept il. but
1 think If the gentleman viii consider
he viii see we have TO make IL obliga-
tory upon these boys WHO are officer
ing the companies that they must ac-
cept the small boys All We say is. they
shah be admitted, and We provide thaI