The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-08-28
MILITARY
TRAINING
STRAW VOTE
ZIG PAPERS TAKE VOTE ON
MILITARY TRAINING SHOWS A
GREAT MAJORITY IN FAVOR OF
THE PLAN.

Inc movement III ldVOf OF unlVer
sal military training and service i!
growing rapidly throughout the coun
try, according to reports received by
the National Security League.
A year and half ago there was
practically no expression of public
sentiment on the subject of universa
service. The first discussion of the
subject by body of assembled dele
gates occurred at the national defense
congress of the National Security
League, held in Chicago November
q, 1915. At that time, however, ac
tion was deferred because it was
thought the public was not then suf
ficiently familiar with the idea to
insure its receiving the consideration
its Importance warranted.
After a thorough study of the ques
ton, especially with reference to its
| application to our democratic form
of government, a special committee
of the league, to which it had been
referred, recommended it strongly,
and resolution approving the prin-
ciple was unanimously adopted at
the National Security Congress last
January.
The growth of the sentiment for
universal service has since that time
been demonstrated by the number and
character of expressions favorable to
it which have come from all parts of
| the country. The introduction of a
universal service bill in congress by
Senator Chamberlain of Oregon, and
nationwide discussion, disclosing
the democratic spirit of such sys-
TEN, attracted attention to its merits
as the basic foundation of national de-
fense, and recognition of the neces-
sity for its adoption. This necessity
has been emphasized by the expert
ence of the militia call to the MeXi-
can border which has disclosed the in
equally and unfairness of a system
that imposes all the burden upon the
few who had voluntarily qualified
themselves for service.
A striking feature disclosed in the
educational campaign on this subject
is that the real opposition to oblga-
tory training and service is very linn
tied 1t has been shown that wherever
serious thought has been given to the
subject sentiment is generally favor
able to the principle. A positive ex-
preston of opinion is often held in
reserve on account of lack of thor
ough understanding of the principle
of universal service, but expressions
of disapproval are rare.
Since the adoption of the resolution
favoring universal service at the Ma
tional Security Congress in Washing
ton, several other conventions have
adopted similar resolutions at the in
stance of the league
Every canvass or referendum vote
has shown a strong sentiment in fa-
vor of universal service and training
The vote by which the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States, with
its membership of 100000 business
men, endorsed such a system was
at the ratio of $50 for TO 56 against.
The resolution of the Merchants
Association of New York adopted at
their meeting in May of this year
recommended military training of the
entire male population physically able
to bear arms, such training to be dur
ing the non-productive period of their
lives before they have taken up their
profession, business or vocation.
The Chicago school board, without
2 dissenting vote. adopted a resolu-
ton making the rudiments of military
training a part of the curriculum Of
the high schools.
Iuring the convention of the Ma
tional Education Association held re-
Gently in New York, the National Sc
curity League submitted a resolution
urging that "a system of universal
physical training. as nearly as prac-
ticable similar to the system in vogue
in Switzerland. to be introduced in
the elementary schools OF the United
States and that instruction in the ru-
diments of military drill he establish
ed in the high schools and colleges" ="
While the National Education associa-
tion did not accept this suggestion in
its entirety. it adopted a resolution
saying: while it recognizes that the
community OF the state may introduce
such elements Of military training into
the schools as may seem wise and
rrudpnf vet IL believes that such