Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-02-19
MORE LETTERS ON
PREPAREDNESS
Writers Think Military Train
ing in Schools Would Be
Good Thing

Each new incident that affects in
any way the preparedness plans of
the administration at Washington is
reflected in the sentiment which it
creates among the people of tho
United States at large. Announce
ment has been made that the float
ing Plattsburg" plan will be tried out
this summer, adopting the same idea
with the navy as prevailed at Platts-
burg last year. Every individual par
ent owes it to himself and his coun-
try to give this question of prepared
hess in the schools the thorough con.
sideration which it deserves. and it is
only by frank and outspoken eX-
preston of opinion that the ideas of
individuals on this important ques-
tion can be disseminated. The Tele-
graph is glad to open its columns to
the letters of those parents who are
interested in giving to others the bene.
fit of their thought, and it is with the
end in view of an enlightening publi-
cation of the viewpoints of those di-
rectly concerned in the welfare of the
boys and girls that this newspaper in.
vites your communication.
Herewith are two letters which
have been received:
Editor of the Telegraph:
Dear Sir: As an eX-school direc-
when those in control of our high and
public schools have declared that the
curriculum in the high school was al
ready over-crowded and when 1t is re-
membered that of those who enter
our high schools, less than one-half
graduate, and at least so per cent.
of the failures are due to funking, we
are ready to believe that the COM
plants referred to have some founda-
ton. Assuming that the above is the
present condition of affairs. we should
hesitate to add to the present curri-
culum arts that can only be successful
in the open field. The manual of arms
and drill of military corps can safely
be left to organizations outside the
public schools. The use of the gun,
however, we do not recognize as
militarism, however essential it may
be in time of war. Nor is it so readily
acquired as the more SNOWY maneu-
YER of troops. Therefore we believe
1t should be classed among the sports
or athletics of the high school. Ath-
letics in our school life are now rec
ognized as an essential part of the
work Of the school, even if they do
not occupy a place in the curricu-
lum. The element of danger connect
ed with gun practice, however, de-
mands that it be surrounded by diff
ferent conditions than that of other
Sports.
rived from a knowledge of the use of
the gun are shared in alike by the
State and nation, as well as the in
dividual. This makes it almost inn
perative that some method be de-
vised whereby some instruction can
be given to our young men. III efil-
cheney in the use of the rifle in time
of need is the object to be obtained,
we do not believe it can be taught
within the walls of a building, as 1t
is essentially an outdoor sport and
should be pracuced with other out
door sports. The spirit of the times
seem to demand that our school au-
thorities devise some systematic and
practical method for training our
young men in athletics. With this
thought in mind we would offer the
following suggestions: That the regu-
lar high school course close on June
first of each year for the young men
for the purpose Of deyoting the re-
naming two weeks of the term to
an athletic course, to be conducted in
the open. The regular school hours
and classes to be maintained, each
sport to be given a period for study
and practice the same system of marks
used in the regular course to be main
tained. Harrisburg is fortunate in pos
sessing within Wildwood Park on the
east bank of the lake, site that con-
tains all the requirements for work
of this kind. The quiet waters of the
lake offer an admirable place for
swimming, boating and canoeing, in
struction and contests. The high
ground adjoining the lake is equally
adapted for camping, baseball, tennis,
etc. An ideal rifle range could be
laid out for any number of students,
the location having a good, safe back
ground. Efficiency in sports. espe-
cially in shooting, would be the OBJ
iect of this outdoor course of study
and should add zest to high school
life. AS to equipment for such an
outing a large shelter tent would serve
all purposes. One hours hike would
take a student to the farthest point
in the city. Students could be given
privilege OF camping on the ground
if they so desired. Under some such
conditions we believe the use of the
gun should be taught in the high
school.
Very truly.
6 H. GARLAND,