Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-05
MOUNTS BETTER KEPT.
Col. Scott Praises CoIored
Cavalry at West Point.
DISCIPLINE AT ACADEMY
Good Effect of the Punishment of
Hazers.
MANY VACANCIES IN CORPS
Congress Criticised for Changing the
Law Governing the Official In
spection of the Institution.
MANY VACANCIES IN CORPS

Whatever may he the attitude of other
communities toward tho colored troops in
the United States Army. West Point has
only words of praise and appreciation for
the colored cavalry detachment stationed
at the United States Military Academy.
Col n. L. Scott superintendent OF the
academy. voices this attitude in his an
nual report to the Secretary Of War.
The cavalry detachment (coloredl has
continued its excellent showing and has
demonstrated still further the advantages
of colored over white men for this duty"
said Col. Scott There is a waiting list
now and only experienced men having
former service and very good and excel
lent records are accepted. The detach-
ment and mounts are now in the new
barracks and stables, and it is believed to
be In better state of contentment than
at any other period of it's history
Punishment of Hazers.
In referring to the discipline at the
academy. Col Scott speaks of the haz-
ing incident which stirred the academy
during the summer. THE discipline of
the corps was generally satisfactory dur
ing the year until July 4. when conditions
developed and overt acts occurred which
had to be put down with a strong hand"
says Col. Scott. The situation cuIni-
mated In the dismissal of two first
class men and the suspension for one
year of six third-class men Since the
separation of these cadets from the
academy the atmosphere has cleared, and
the usual high standard of discipline has
prevailed
Col. Scott calls attention to the fact
that it Is not generally known that the
athletics at the academy are divided into
two claSseS-gymnastics and contests with
the Naval Academy and other teams 1t
has been found says Col. Scott. that
these games contribute to the health and
happiness of the cadets, improve the dis
cipline and are encouraged in every
proper way"
Vacancies in the Corps.
There are 116 vacancies in the corps of
cadets. Col Scott regrets that no plan
has been devised to remedy that situation,
and recommends that ninety-two extra
cadetships be authorized to Offset the nor
NAL shortage. He says it is source of
regret to the West Point authorities that
the entrance requirements have been kept
so low.
Col. Scott recommends the purchase of
Ladycliffe Academy. Highland Falls, and
its grounds for a hotel
new Metnod OF inspection.
The superintendent of the academy en-
cages in some pointed criticism of Con-
gress for changing the law governing the
official inspection of the academy 1T is
a matter of sincere regret for many rea-
sons says Col. Scott, that any change
In the law governing the subject of the
board OF visitors has been made. The
new law confines the appointments to
members of Congress, who will arrive at
some indeterninate time during the year
to make their inspection, instead of at
the end of the academy year as is Gus
tomary at all colleges and universities, at
which time there is a complete product,
with results to show and Il goal for
which all have striven for the inspec-
ton of the board AS is now contem-
plated the board will arrive at most in
convenient season, take up probably two
weeks of the academic course, which is
full and every hour utilized, SO that any
interruption. however brief. would seri-
ouSly derange the schedules Further
more. each class will be at such an In
completed stage that no results will be
apparent. and the emulation brought
about by the inspection of the board at
the elimination of the year will disap-
pear. as will also the immense advantages
of the influence exercised by the gentle
from every portion of the country the
most distinguished of their section who
have welded a powerful influence in the
past over the public opinion of their
neighborhoods to uphold the hands of
Congress in its good intentions toward
the Military Academy and done so much
to make them possible of fulfillment''