Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-22

school calendar The routine company
drills begin to be attended by fellow
pupils, who watch the maneuvers with a
critical eye, specializing meanwhile on
the chances OF the company. Each BIZ
weekly practice period brings constant
ly larger and larger turnout. Every one
is ION edge On his bi-mpnthly tours
of inspection Col. Burton r. Ross. the
military Instructor of the High School
Cadets, is everywhere besieged with
questions about the relative military pro-
ficiency of the various schools. The
school papers print editorials the sub
excitement and interest mount higher
and higher Admission to the big con-
test is by card.
When the day finally comes, the stands
are packed with relatives. friends and
high school pupils. Thousands of parents
who would never walk two blocks to at
tend a championship ball game will give
up half a day to attend the competitive
drill. and the proportion holds even
among the high school pupils themselves.
Every maneuver on the field is followed
with the most intense interest from
grandstand and bleachers. There is lit
tie or no cheering while the companies
are actually drilling. for in that great
would drown out the voices of the officers
issuing orders, and this comparative quiet
seems only to add to the tension. Finally,
as the award Is given and the successful
company marches off the field bearing the
trophy of victory, it is no uncommon
thing to an unsuccessful company
burst into tears.
For the rest of the year the captain of
the winning company is the biggest man in
his school. barring nobody. He is the
leader: he can have anything he wants
that the undergraduate body can give
him, and the highest honor conferred on
him is regarded as far less than the
one which his years of unremitting work
have won for himself, his company and
his school.
No capital never gets his Office nor. hav-
ing gotten it. ever succeeds in it by luck.
He must start in his first year as a pri-
vate; in his second year he becomes pri-
vate of higher rank, or, by hard work
and especial fitness, he may even be
made corporal. The third year may see
him in the position of drill sergeant. and
the fourth year brings him his commits
sion. Throughout his whole course -.e
must show not only progressive skill as
a soldier, but must also maintain very
high standard of scholarship and char
acter for these latter qua1ifica tions have
very great weight with the authorities in
considering candidates for the commits
stoned ranks Naturally. a man of this
caliber is a worker. and one who makes
his success by work.
x
x x
Last spring the competitive drill was
won by company c of Mckinley High
School, and the military instructor, Col.
Burton r. Ross, attributes the organiza-
tons success to the attention paid to de-
tail by it's captain, r. E. Coughlin of
Washington, as well as to the splendid
example of personal discipline which that
officer set his men.
Il never saw his equal for detail.'' said
Col. Ross yesterday Throughout the
entire period of preparatory training, if a
cadet who knew better made the slightest
mistake. Coughlin spotted him and cor
rected the error, decisively and imme-
diately. He demanded absolute precision
and compliance with the letter. well as
with the spirit. of the prescribed tactics
from both officers and men. and he him
self set perfect example to his company.
His belt was always straight; his cap at
the exact prescribed angle. One never
caught Coughlin with his coat open or