Evening star., 1916-10-03
SEE AN INJUSTICE !,
TO WEST POINTERS.
~
Appointment of Civilians as
Second Lieutenants Handi. /,
cap to Cadets, Is Claim. :.
POSITIONS MAY BE FILLED I.
BEFORE CLASS IS READY
Appeal Made to Secretary Baker.
Both Sides Of the Cues
tion Discussed. ii

botn Sl0e1 OF the 0QeS-
ton Discussed. ii
Strong appeals have been made 10
Secretary Baker in behalf Of the meme
bers Of the fourth-year class Of ca
dets at the United States Military
Academy to arrange matters, II pos
sible. so as to insure their appointment
as second lieutenants In the army be-
fore the commissioning In that grade
of the sixteen hundred civilians and on
listed men who were recently examined
for army commissions These exAnina-
tons were held in accordance with the
latest session OF Congress. 1t is represent
ed that 1000 vacancies In the grade OF
second lieutenant were created July last
to be filled from the eligible list of
those examined by army boards In
all parts of the country. About 1900
of the candidates are said to have
been found qualified for appointment.
The examination papers are being re-
Viewed at the War Department.
Arguments for West Pointers.
Friends Of the West Point boys who
will finish their course next June as
sert that the prior appointment OF such
large number Of civilians or enlisted
men of the army would serious
ly retard the advancement OF the cadets
to the higher grades In the army. There
are about 140 boys in the graduating
class at West Point. and 1t Is asserted
t.fl
stoned in advance of their graduation
next June, West Pointers will stand
small chance of rising above the grade
of captain in the army
In support Of that view 1t ID said
that most Of the civilians and enlisted
men recently examined are as young,
and many of them younger, than the
West Point men, and IL they receive
their commissions first they will con-
tinue to rank the men from the Mill
age: also that the appointment of the
200 eligibles at this time will create
a hump" which will seriously handi-
cap the promotion of those behind 1t.
TT seems hardly fair" said a promi-
nent citizen interested in the cause OF
the cadets. ito the West Pointers or
to the army that a large number Of
men, with little or no previous mill
tary training. should be commissioned
ahead OF men who have devoted three
y
ments Of their profession at West
Point.
Members Of Glass at Disadvantage.
I'm all probability nearly every one of
these cadets Of the first class at West
Point could pass the examination re-
quired for a commission. but having no
opportunity to take these exams they
will have to wait till next June to re-
oeive their commissions. in the mean
mon their own age, but without q frac-
ton of their military training, pass
over their heads, to stay there and
mako 1t hopeless for the West. Pointers
to look forward to any promotion be-
yond the grade OF captain.
This condition Of affairs could
easily be obviated, either by gradual
ing the class ahead OF time. as there is
ample precedent for doing, or by Civ
ing the cadets an equal chance with
any one else to take the examinations
for commission. or by dating their
commissions back a sufficient interval
Of time to guarantee to them the chance
of promotion which the years they have
spent at the Military Academy would
permit them to expect"
Presents the Other View.
That there is another side to the
question was shown by q general ON
Ger at the War Department nearing
the retiring age, who declared that the
prospects of the West Point graduates
are much brighter than was repre-
sented. Because of the large increases
to be made in the army, he said, they
were insured of rapid promotion in the
lower grades at least and 1t is ''all
poppycock" to say they cannot expect
to rise above the grade of captain. 1t
is assured. he said. that they will be-
least. with much less active service
than was the case with graduates Of
preceding classes, except possibly in
times of actual hostilities. In his
view. 1t Is practically impossible to de-
fer the commissioning Of the outside
as soon as their cases have
been finally passed upon
1t might be regarded as an evasion
the law, he said, to advance the date
Of the graduation Of the present fourth
years class simply to give its mem-
bers the benefits OF seniority OF ap-
pointments. As to antedattng their
before their actual grad
uation, he was Of opinion that It was
legally impossible.
Secretary Baker Oonsidsrin&
Secretary Baker appreciates fully ne
iinic1lties Of the situation, and 10 ~. !
ing 1t careful thought and attention 60
SEQ II there 10 any suthoe1ty q 1Ew ~
which he can defer the counmisuann1ng
II the civilians and enlisted 0a0
Who arc candidates or advance tho conn I
Of the cadets be3ogo tho I
regular graduation next summer.
CABINET OF JAPANESE
PREMIER IS TO RESIGN .