The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-05
MILITARY DRILL IN
SCHOOLS FAVORED
Compromise Bill Providing
for Compulsory Training
Is Expected This Week.
SUMMER CAMP A FEATURE

The compromise expected this week
between tho trainers Of the bill making
military training compulsory IN the high
schools and special schools and the State
Board Of Regents Is awaited with con-
siderable interest by hundreds Of per-
sons violently opposed to military drill
in the public schools. When II became
known that such IA bill was to be intro
ducod by Assemblyman Clarence +.
welsh OF Albany "A storm Of protest WAS
. by parents.
The authorities In charge III the New
schools arc inclined To favor ON
pulsory military training provided proper
provisions arc made to instruct the boys.
but tho State Boar Of Regents firmly
opposes any such bill. On February -
the Regents passed a resolution refusing
its consent to any bill for compulsory
training. but after u conference between
Mator-Gen. John +. O'Kyan. command
ing the National Guard Of New York
AABemblyman Welsh, Capt. Lorillard
Spencer. Gov. W%hitinan's military secrc-
tary. and Dr. John II. Finley. Commits
sioner Of Education, IL was said that
an agreement WAS expected to be
reached within a week.
Gen. O'Ryan and br. Finley are sup
posed to be In accord on the score that
lS iuu III tTlS ttll SllulI
be under the direct control OF the Board
Of Regents. Therefore It is believed that
I h compromise measure will contain
provision for u commission to formulate
a compulsory course In physical training
for all boys over the age of \. the curse
10 he put into effect by the Regents.
The military feature Of the course. to
he under the control Of the National
Guard. would he taken care OF In sum
mer camps. nr. Finley is said to favor
h establishment of these camps by the
National Guard and to advocate the
training Of not only high school boys
but all youths Of the State.
A Hood of protesting letters has
reached the office of the Board OF Eiu-
cation. The main objection made 10y
the majority " writers il that the
schools should not be turned over To
the National Guard II that military
atmosphere would not be beneficial to
the boys. Miss Marion Tillen Burri,t
OF $40 West 1874 street wrote that she
was authorized by ninety citizens at Il
meeting on February 80 tn protest against
"the formation OF regiments in the public
schools" Miss Mary =. Mcdowell OF 20
Crookc avenue. Brooklyn. wrote ia
similar strain of u meeting of parents
held at u East SiNtieth street. Man
haitian. the same day.
District superintendent Charles "
Lyon. assigned to high schools, is sup
posed 10 be In closer touch with the boys
In the schools than any other of the ad-
ministrative authorities. and from his OBJ
.servations he tx strongly in favor Of the
compulsory bill. lie says that military
training. properly directed in the high
schools. woul tend to better both the
physical and moral conditions of the
boys. One or Two months in "A mill
tary camp would be good for boys from
IL to Is years of age and should not
be limited 10 schoolboys.' he said yes
terday. Supt. William II. Maxwell is
said to agree with Or. Finley that train
ing would be beneficial If under the
control OF the Board OF Regents.
That the boys themselves are eager
for the military drill Is apparent from
tho formation OF the corps at the Stuy-
vesant High School. When the corps
was organized Ernest Won NardoN, the
principal, Threatened to abolish 1t, but
80 strongly In favor Of II were the
boys that lie withdrew his objections,
but stipulated that boys were TO be ad.
united subject to his approval. Another
instance of the boys desire for military
training was shown last November by
David Levin. a student In the De Witt
Clinton High School, who started 10 or
Ganize q corps among the students. and
was disciplined by the school authorities
Tor his unusual zeal FOR preparedness.