The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-07-11

ent capacity. and BY providing an
Officers Reserve Corps and a Re
serve Officers Training Corps.
West Point does not to-day furn-
ish 80 per cent OF our regular
officers and will furnish less
percentage in future even with It's
increased capacity. The National
Guard will have greatly Increased
demands for officers 10 command
their own increased numbers so
that the principal sources or sup
ply will necessarily be from me
others mentioned. lie. the ranks
OF the army, the Officers Reserve
Corps, the honor graduates OF col
legeS and from civil life. These
classes will be required 10 make
special preparation under reEu-
lions 10 be promulgated by the
War Department and II is safe 10
state that where an examination
is required ii will be thorough,
and will demand an education
equivalent 10 at least TWO years
in first class college.
Those who desire 10 equip them
selves for efficient service OF their
country in case OF war without
adopting the military profession
can Join the Officers Reserve
Corps. The President is author
lied 10 appoint 10 this corps such
civilians as shall. upon eXamlna-
aion prescribed. be found physical
", mentally and morally qualified.
commissions can be issued up 10
and including the grade OF Major
with suitable limitations AS TO age
for each grade and for promotion
10 a higher grade upon eNamlna'
ton. In time Of peace, these Re
serve officers can be ordered for
training with full pay for 10 days
annually and for longer periods
with the consent Of the officer.
When hostilities threaten they
NAV be ordered 10 duty and attach
ed 10 organizations OF the regular
army or volunteers.
The Reserve Officers Training
Corps consists OF a senior and a
junior division. Units OF the
former will be organized in univer-
sites and colleges requiring Tour
years OF study by army inspectors
as available and suitable for such
units. The junior divisions may
be organized at all other private
and public educational insutu-
tons.
To permit of such units these
educational institutions must
have at least 100 physically fit
male students. give three hours
instruction per week and nave
present rs instructor an officer OF
the regular army. Public animals.
arms, equipment, ETC.. are issued
BY the government and camps or
instruction for six weeks annually
are authorized with expenses in
Guiding transportation TO and from
CAMP. Members Of the Corps be.
coming eligible for appointment as
Reserve Officers and for further
training may be commissioned as
temporary end neutenants for six
months with g. salary Of $500 per
month and the allowances OF that
grade.
This bill takes a great step In
advance toward preparedness for
the contingency Of war. Its pro-
vision will tax Our volunteer sys-
tenn beyond any measure hereto
fore provided in our country IN
time Of peace. That 1t can be de-
pended upon for the modest re-
ouirements OF this legislation
many students OF our military his
tory very much doubt. But so long
as the nation adheres to this sys-
tenn, it is clearly the duty Of every
citizen to carry out the will Of the
people as expressed by Congress
and make 1t as effective as pos
sible.