Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-24
OFFICERS RESERVE CORPS
UNITS At THE Y. NJ. |.
General Nichols Notified That Wa,
Department VIII istab-
lisii Them.
EQUIPMENT WILL BE GIVE,
Considerable Increase in Number OF
Cadets * Expected at Opening of
Next Observation-Disclosures VIII
Begin Next Friday.

LEXINGTON. VA, December "a
General T. w Nichols, superintendent
of tho Virginia Military Institute. has
been notified by tho adjutant general
Of tho United states Army, General
Henry r. Mccain, that bulletin las
establishing one infantry, enc cavalry
and one field artillery unit of the
senior division of the reserve officers
trimming corps at the Virginia Military
Institute.
This marks the beginning of new
and much hxoadcr field of work for
the institute. II will emphasize the
military side OF the instruction more
than ever. and will effect a much
closer relation between the institute
and the national government than was
possible before. At the same time, ii
leaves the academic work. which is Of
collegiate grade. leading to liberal
arts and scientific degrees, untouched.
Training young mon for civil life still
will be the chief business OF the in
s,itute. but the other side, that OF
training officers for the army and for
the officers reserve corps, will receive
a new impetus.
MORE ARMY OFFICERS
WILL BE DETAILED
General Nichols has not been adj
vised az to the details OF the plan for
establishing the units. 1t is under
stood. however. that the government
will furnish a large amount OF equip
ment in the way OF horses, uniforms,
guns. etc, in addition to that already
supplied. Also there will be detailed
for service here commissioned army Of
flcers. Il is understood. In addition to
the commandant OF cadets and profess
sor of military science. at present
Captain H. l.. Hodges of the First
Cavalry. United States Army. Several
noncommissioned officers and enlisted
men also may be stationed at the in
stitute.
This arrangement will not entail any
greater obligation OIL the cadets for
military service than every citizen
now bears. On the contrary, it will
be a great advantage 80 them.
A considerable increase in the num-
Der of cadets on the rolls is expected
at the opening of the next session.
The new Jackson Hall. soon to lie com
pIetcd and the large addition TO bar
racks. which VIII be- ready for use
next September, together with other
improvements now under way. will
enable tho authorities to receive per
haps 100 more cadets than are now
enrolled.
One of the immediate problems will
DO the selection and grading OF a cav
airy plane. An admirable site, Just
below barracks, needs compar lively
little Improvement to make it exactly
what is wanted. The stables will he
erected nearby
ALUMNI CONTRIBUTE
$1,000 no BUILDING FUND
General Nichols returned from :; re-
cent visit TO New York and Pittsburgh
with $1,000 contributed by alumni ana
others to start a fund for the new
building.
The midsession examina lions will
begin next Friday. and will continue
until January 20. The second term
will begin on January 90
The first class has decided TO dedi-
cate the 1917 Bomb" the cadets YEAR
book. To Captain Montgomery r. Corse,
OF Lexington. Captain Corse is a
graduate OF the institute. class of
1889. lie retired a short time ago as