Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1911-08-30
AN INNOVATION
Civilians Can Become Second Lieut.
ina mis- In The Army
PRESIDENT TAFT RAISES BARS
Makes This Possible Any Man Between
Fl and II Years Of Age is Eligible
No Influence is Needed and
Only an Examination is
REQUIRED

| bars that formerly made almost I'M
possible appointments to commits
stoned positions in the Army. 1t
has been the feature of his admins
tration, so far as the Army is con-
cerned.
The innovation is so great that few
civilians can appreciate or take ad-
vantage of the opportunity offered
them to get a commission. A number
of second lieutenants' commissions
are open to civilian at this time. and
there are few applications for the APP
pointments fled at the War Depart
ment.
General Wood, chief of staff is not
worried. He feels that as soon as ii
becomes generally known that in
flunce is not necessary and that good,
moral character, good physical condi-
tions and fair education will land a
commission, there will be more candi-
dates than the department needs.
Up till about two years ago it was
unusual for a civilian to get an APP
| pointment as second lieutenant in
the Army. When it was announced
that such vacancy was to be filed
| 1TOL1 civil lie the man WIN WdHl6u
it applied to his Senator or Con-
gresham and tried to use every bit
of political influence he could COM
mand to secure the appointment.
| Therefore, few felt they had chance
to get the commission.
Since the organization of the Army
and until President Taft raised the
bars civilian has had difficulty in
getting a commission. He was dis
couraged in every attempt even by
those interested in and connected with
the Army. An Army commission has
ben considered always of much value,
more than an ordinary commission to
government position, and these are
sought eagerly.
When President Taft decided to
throw open to civilians a certain mum.
Der of commissions to the grade OF
second lieutenants in the Army il
was expected at the War Department
thre would be rush for the commits
sions that would swamp the depart
ment under a flood of applications
There was surprise when comparative
ly few applications came in.
III
of the government soon elected thu
fact that few who desired the commits
sions believed it possible to secur,
one without political influence. Ii
the face of flat announcements tina
such influences was not necessary
: members of Congress were asked t
go to the department in behalf of var
ious constituents.
: Examinations for second lieutenant
in the cavalry, field artillery and in
) fantry will be held at several militar,
posts throughout the country. Eacl
) year similar examinations are to b.
held at regular intervals. The candi
dates must be of good moral charac
ter, citizens, and between 81 and g
years of age. The physical STANDARD
is the same as for recruits, and tn,
mental examination covers English
grammar, spelling, mathematics (tC
include algebra, plane and solid geom
etry and trigonometry), geogr aph,
and history. There will be competi
tive examinations also, including gen
eral history, French, German oil
Spanish, Constitution of the United
States and elementary internationa
law and an advanced optional subject
Special privileges in the matter OF
appointments are given to graduates
of military schools an members of the
organized militia upon passing the
prescribed examination. The Army
is in need of second lieutenants. West
Point Military Academy and the semi.
military schools cannot turn them out
sufficiently fast. The facilities al
West Point have been doubled only
since the Army numbered 5000 men.
1t now numbers nearly 100, 900.
West Point is up to so of her quota
a higher average attendance than in
many years. There is no difficulty il
getting applicants for West Point APP
pointments.
President Taft has decided, also
that all appointments at large to West
Point shall go to the sons of officers
and enlisted men in the Army
These men have no permanent homes
and cannot WELD influence with Sena
tors and Congressman to secure the
appointment or take advantage OF
competitive examinations held at the
instance of members of Congress
There are only forty such appoint.
ments at large and they are made by