The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-03-02
BOYCE ARMY PLAN.

An outline of how his proposed Vo-
cational Army training school plan,
endorsed by President Wilson, may be
economically, efficiently and quickly
started throughout the country, has
been written by w. D. Boyce of the
Boyce publications. In brief, Mr..
Boyce suggests that vocational army
training school be added to each state
college under federal aid and guild
ance. Concerning the plan, Presi-
dent Wilson, in his recent western
trip, said in part:
I'VE ought to have in this country
a great system of industrial and vo-
cational education, under Federal
guidance, and it will be perfectly
feasible and highly desirable to add
to that and combine with it such
training in the mechanism and use
and care of arms, in the sanitation of
the camp, in the simpler forms Of ma
neuver and organization, as will make
these same men industrially and indi-
vidually serviceable for national de-
Tense.
"The point about such a system will
be that it's emphasis will lie on the
industrial and civil side of life, so
that men will think first of their
families and daily work and their
services in the economic fields of the
country, and only last of all to their
serviceability to the nation as soldiers
and men at arms. That is the ideal
of America" Mr.. Boyce says in part:
"To start the Army Vocational
Schools, all that is necessary is for
United States army training barracks
(for drilling and living purposes) TO
be added to the state colleges, with
a corps of military instructors, equip
ment, etc., all of which can easily
be provided by the Federal govern
ment. All the expenses of this ad-
dition must be borne by the United
States, which furnishes board, lodg-
ing and clothing for the young men
who take the course. The govern
ment does this in exchange for the
students services while he is being
trained to be a fit soldier The state
furnishes the instruction in the trade,
profession or occupation which the
student elects to take. He is put to
no expense and he remains in the Vo-
cational Army School two years or
more, going to his classes like any
student in college, but being under
regular army discipline and living in
barracks. After his graduation he
is subject to the call Of the United
States government for military SER
vice, but he goes into the trade, pro-
fession or occupation in which he has
been instructed and in which he is
finished product.
1--WE have frequently called atten-
ton to the fact that IS per cent of
the boys of the United States are
obliged to go to work to support
themselves at the finish of their COM
mon school education, going without
the vocational training which they
want and need. The Vocational Army
Schools would give every boy, whether
his parents are poor, well-to-dO or
rich, an equal chance to get a prac-
tical education and at the same time
fit himself to help defend his country.
"The Federal government would be
doing only what it does now, in fur
nishing military instruction, board
and lodging, clothing and equipment
to it's regular soldiers and at half ex-
pense, for it would not pay salaries
to the students. The states would be
doing only what they should do, in
furnishing educational facilities for
their citizens. The young men at
tending the Vocational Army Schools
would not be kept out of productive
work, as the regular soldiers are
When the soldier goes back to civil
ian life, his productive capacity is not
increased, but when the graduates of
the Vocational Army Schools go into
their trades, occupations and profess
sions, their productive capacity and
earning ability will. be increased
many fold.
'Under the Vocational Army School
plan, 80 per cent of the youths of the
United States, would become fit to
defend their country in time Of need. +"