New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-26
WEST POINTERS
They Have an Advantage in Taxing
Up an Army Career.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: With reference TO Mr.. J. B. ". Car
diners article on West Pointers and his view
Of the causes for the shortage Of officers, /
would say that the graduate of West Point
has far better chances for becoming an Of
fcer than either the enlisted man or the
civilian. II Mr. Gardiner will look up this
matter he will find that at the present time
and for the past year or two neither the
enlisted man nor the civilian has had an
opportunity TO compete for a commission IN
the regular army He will also find that
VIC nov have something over two hundred.
believe. second lieutenants. graduates OF
the Military Academy, on the list Of extra
officers who have not filled vacanees, bu.
who will DO 50 just as soon vacanclc. &C.
cur, and until these extra officers are dis
posed OF By vacancies no enlisted man or
civilian can be appointed according 70 law
Now, take the question OF the enlisted man
and the civilian: An enlisted man must have
practically a college education in order TO
pass his examination for commission, which
means four years study at his own expense.
besides two years Of his valuable time which
he puts in the army at fifteen dollar
month. and he may have TO wait six years
before efficient vacancies in the army enable
him 10 compete for a commission. and If he
waits that long, nine times out OF ten he has
passed the age limit-twenty-sev years
to qualify. Further the enlisted man spends
two years Of his time specializing in one | ar
ticular military subject infantry. cavalry, or
artillery, under experts or specialists II. this
subject. Is he not more qualified 20 command
troops Of that branch than n cadet who has
covered four years, of probably one hour a.
day, in that branch? Also, the cadet gets $50
per month for his time at the academy.
The civilian is probably less qualified than
either of the above, but when you consider
that he is also required to pass an examna-
ton which would require graduation rom
college or university, and be not over twenty
seven years of age, he will prove pretty fine
material for the making of an officer How
ever, education is very small part of the
real qualifications Of an officer; ability,
training, character and experience ere more
beneficial than education. The man who has
commanded troops or has had experience IN
the handling of men in large numbers and
has the ability and character to lead men
is. in my opinion, far superior TO the gradu-
ate of any educational institution.
In conclusion, the real reason for not hav-
ing sufficient officers for our army in event
Of war is in the failure of Congress to pro-
vide institutions similar to West Point all
over the country and provide for the ap-
pointment of the graduates as officers. You
would get more officers out Of the evening
high schools of New York City than you
would out of West Point il you guaranteed
them half the pay and allowances Of officers
of the army upon graduation; the only edu-
,ational requirement being graduation from
high school. FRANh A. CLAhhE'
Rrooklyn Nov. Is. 1915.