Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-26
FAVOR SPECIAL
MILITARY WORK
FOR THE BOYS
Educators at Detroit Go on
Record Against Compulsory
Drill in Public Schools Of
Country.


Detroit. Feb. 25.--Thc department
OF superintendent Of the National
Education association at its closing
session here today went on record as
opposed TO compulsory military train
ing in the public schools. The educa-
tors, however. favored plan whereby
the American youth" who wishes to
receive military instruction can find
special schools available.
The action az the department was
generally regarded as a compromise.
II was said that although there were
many advocates of strong national
system Of preparedness, as well as
many opponents of such an organiza-
ton. the most generally accepted view
WAC to keep milltarism out of the
grade and high schools. Most Of the
delegates, II was said favored the
special military school plan.
a resolution. opposing scholastic
military training which was adopted,
carried clause which recommended
that the president Of the department.
of superintendence-~ ID. Shocp of
chcago--appoint committee Of nine
Ito study and report on the proper
place for acceptance OF military edu-
cation of American youth. The de-
partment agreed 10 finance the neces-
sary expenses Of the committee
James T.. West OF New York, the
chief scout executive OF the Boy
Scouts, declared America would be
more Prussianized than Germany ever
was II the bills now suggested should
be adopted
Mr.. West strikes deep at our ednca-
tional standards which aim to keep
the child's mind free from prejudice
and narrowing preconceptions. Ger
many never has given military train
ing to youths under IS.
III America was actually preparing
for war would rather face the issue
with million approved scouts who
can handle themselves efficiently in
every predicament than with a mill
lion men Of the old militia type
This Is because the scout program
teaches efficiency in the field, in bad
weather, amid hardships, and in a
crisis.
I'VE know how more of our boys
In the Spanish American war died of
diseases than from wounds. That was
largely because they were not trained
to keep themselves fit under hard
ships.
With a large standing army, tax
payers have a heavy burden to carry
and idle men are a social menace
everywhere. With Independent Boy
Scouts every man is self-supportng,
taught the principle of service and
unsclfishness. He knows how to
help himself and others.
'lf the school system Is asked to
take up preparatory courses antici-
pating warfare. let it be the scout
program and not tin soldier pro-
gram.
Warren II. Wilson, of Columbia col
lcge, New York City, addressed the SUI
pervisors on The Value of Rural Life
Surveys" lie said The failure of
rural education in America is meas
ured by inability of institutions, estab-
lishcd for that purpose to train rural
teachers and keep them in rural
schools
Several prominent educators who
are leading officers of organizations
allied with the N. y, A. commented
upon charges made yesterday at the
superintendent meeting, that inn
proper methods have been resorted to.
in the past, in electing officers.
Charles S. Foos, of Reading, Pa,
president of the National Federation of
state Teachers associations, gave out
this statement:
"The statement that ! said the cleo
ton In the n. e. 4. is farce, is in
correct | am working shoulder to
shoulder with the men who built up
the n. r. A prior to 1910 and against
the influence predominant in the \. f.
A. since 1910"