Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-07-19
OFFICERS BY MERIT ONLY

During the PAST few weeks there have been in oper-
alton a number of camps for the training of men who
wish to become officers in the new National army which
is soon to be drafted into service. The three months
training of these men will soon have expired, and the
commissions will be issued to those who are fitted for
them. Then a second class will be given a similar course
Of training for a like purpose. The second contingent
will be made up of a class of men who are already in the
military service of the United States, in the regular ar
my. in the national guard, or in the drafted forces. In
all cases commissions will be issued only on the basis of
demonstrated merit after the designated period Of train
ing and observation.
AS the period of probation Of the first contingent is
drawing to a close, members of congress, officials of the
war department and officers in charge Of the camps are
receiving appeals from friends of probationers, request
ing, in one form or another, that special favor be shown
to the person in whose behalf the appeals are made.
There is thus the attempt to bring to bear political and
personal influence in a matter in which merit alone
should be considered.
The war department, which is responsible for the
training of the prospective officers, and for their selec-
ton, has insisted from the beginning that fitness alone
should be considered as the basis for appointment, and
that this fitness should be thoroughly demonstrated IN
a course of training and test work Of uncommon rigor.
Instructions in accordance with this policy have been is
sued to the officers in charge of the camps, and these
officers. who know what efficiency means in the han
ding of an army. are in complete accord with the spirit
of the instructions, and will carry them out to the letter.
Persons who have friends in any of the training camps
will best further the interests Of their friends by refrain
ing from making suggestions or requests to those who
are charged with the carrying out Of the governments
policy, for instead of helping, any effort to bring outside
influence to bear in favor Of a candidate is likely to oper-
ate to his disadvantage rather than to his advantage. It
may not be true in all cases that the prospective officer
himself Is responsible for this display Of interest on the
part of his friends, but the making of such requests tends
to carry that suspicion with 1t, and the men in charge
feel, and with good reason. that when a candidate seeks
to avail himself of other influences than his own demon
strated fitness. he is lacking in some Of the qualities
which make a good officer.
An army exists for the purpose of being an effective
fighting force. Regardless Of its personnel, it can be nc
stronger than it's officers. Political and personal favor.
itism in the affairs Of civil life is bad, but it is not neces.
sarily fatal, and it may be endured for a time. But wher
the lives Of thousands Of men and the fate of the nation
is at stake, favoritism Of any kind is criminal. Every
father or mother who has a son in the armies of the
United States, every person who has invested a dollar ir
the war bonds Of the country, every citizen who has 8
stake in the country and an interest in its freedom and
prosperity, has a right to demand that the responsible
officers of the government and Of the army be permitted
to carry out, without interference Of any kind, their fix.
ed purpose to select as officers Of our armed forces only
these men who, in physique, in mentality and in charac
ter, are capable of performing well. the exacting duties
Of officers.