The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-01-18
STATE COLLEGE
NEEDS ARMORY
MAY LOSE FEDERAL AID IF NOT
PROVIDED BY STATE LEGIS-
LATURE SOON
BOARD OF HEALTH CONDEMNED OLD GYM
It Is Duty Of State to Furnish Armory
Under the New National De-
Tense Act

The need of an adequate armory at
State College is most urgent and UNI
less it is provided in the near future
there is a possibility that federal aid
may be withdrawn, according to Cap
tain Joseph Matson, who has been de
tailed by the United States Govern
ment to look after military work at
State College. South Dakota State
College is the only institution in the
state which is required by the National
Government to teach military science
and tactics. According to the National
Defense Act approved June 3. 1916,
military instruction in the South Da-
kota State College has assumed an
added Importance and has been made
an integral part of the National Mill
tary Policy with special aid to stu
dents in the way of uniform, COM
mutation of subsistence and full mill
tary equipment. 1t devolves, there
fore, upon the state to provide proper
facilities for this military training.
The present armory bears on its
front elevation this legend, Girls
Gymnasium, 1899" and is used as a
gymnasium, Office for physical director
and as an armory. According to Cap
tain Matson it is totally inadequate for
any one of these and as for an armory
and drill hall it is practically useless
for the large number of cadets Incl
dental to the rapid growth of State
College. There are insufficient facili-
ties for the care, preservation and
storing of equipment. The building is
unsanitary and a ena to the health
of all who occupy it. In fact, the
Board of Health has several times con-
demned it.
Various federal inspectors (Oficers
of the General Staff Corps), during the
past few years, while praising the
cadets of the college and their work,
have severely criticised the facilities
and accommodations afforded them.
A recent Inspector in his official re-
port to the U. S. War Department
stated THAT South Dakota has the poor
est accommodations and facilities for
the cadets ad military department Of
any state he had visited. An armory
is needed that will meet the require
ments, not only at the present time,
hut also for many years to come.
Under the National Defense Act, re
ferred to in the foregoing, there has
been established in State College one
Senior Unit Infantry of the Reserve
Officers Training Corps Or. o. T. CO.
The primary object of the establish
ment of these units of the r. O. T. c.
at the educational institutions through
out the country is to give the young
gressive cOurse of study in military
science and tactics and to fit them to
become officers Of volunteers and TEN
porary officers in the Regular Army. in
case their services are ever needed BY
the National Government. The gov
eminent also plans to issue to each in
stitution, for the use Of members Of
the r. O. T. c., uniforms. means of
transportation, and the latest model
arms and equipment, necessary for
their training, and for which the insti-
tuition can provide the proper facili-
ties for care and preservation.
An officer Of the Regular Army, Cap
tain Joseph Matson, Coast Artillery
Corps, has been detailed at State Col
lege as Professor of Military Science
and Tactics,-with an assistant, a ION
commissioned officer of the Regular
Army, Sergeant Henry Loane, Coast
Artillery Corps.