Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-17
College Patriotism
Bg Frederic J. HaSktn.

Washington, May l4.-lhere are 10 De rev
intercollegiate sports this year-few field meets.
boat races or tennis tournaments. Inc colleges
are going to war.
Class rooms are rapidly being deserted as thou
sands of students leave for military duty in one
organization or another A large number have
gone to Newport to enter the naval coast defense
reserve; others are reporting for duty at the re-
serve officers training camps opened up by the
War department on May IA; few have gone all
the way to France as members OF the American
ambulance corps and hundreds are joining the
governments new army for the commssary.
Those who remain are drilling on the campus,
studying radio and topography and displaying
unusual interest in laboratory work. For the
government is going to need engineers and chem
lists as we'll as soldiers.
Practically all universities are now urging the
need of agricultural enlistment In a talk made
to the student body OF the University OF Penn
sylvania not long ago the dean summed up the
situation as follows: 1--WE must not make the
same mistake England made by sending men tech
nically trained and proficient to contribute in the
production of food and goods into the army and
leave men who are inefficient in charge of such
production" One of the biggest jobs that the
United States is to be called on to perform is
the supplying OF food to itself and to its allies.
in Europe during the next year. Herbert Hoover
has pointed out that unless the farmers of the
United States materially increase their paintings
Of foodstufs thousands in the United States and
Europe will face actual starvation next year.
This agricultural preparedness propaganda has
been eagerly taken up by agricultural colleges OF
the country which offering their services to the
government almost to man. The plan that has
been worked out in joint conference by the United
States Department of Agriculture and the admin
strative officials of over 100 colleges is like
this The students are to be divided into bat
taons of from FIVE to fifty men. Each battalion
will be in charge of captain, who will be ap-
pointed in consideration of his experience and
who will distribute his men among various farm
ers OF particular section. The farmers pay
good wages; they will take the young men into
their households and board them as members
of the family, but they will be expected to work.
In the case that any dispute arises between the
farmer and the student the captain of the bat
talon will be called upon to settle it. He will also
report 10 the university the progress of each of
the students under him.
While this agricultural feature of college pre-
paredness is gaining great popularity with all
college students, it is only one of many equally
popular features. The University of Pennsylva-
MIA, for example, has recently opened up a naval
training course, which has already recruited up
to IFS students. 1t is purely student organza-
ton, having no connection with the government.
The military courses given by the universities
are supervised by United States army officers and
occasionally government equipment IN the form
of rifles and wireless is borrowed; in this case
the only government property to be borrowed is
naval officer, to be assigned by the commandant
Of the Fourth naval district who will give lectures
on navigation, seamanship, ordnance and gunnery.
As yet, the proper facilities are lacking in the
course, but the students themselves are endeavor-
ing to raise funds with which to purchase them.
At Princeton aviation is popular Over ZOO
students have announced their intention of en-
tering this line of work. but of this number only
sixty have passed the strict physical examina-
ton given to aviators. Anyway, college aerial
corps has been organized. The alumni of the uni
versity has come forward generously with gift
of two planes their hangers land sufficient funds
to pay the expenses of the necessary mechanics
and upkeep of the planes" And Princeton is now
flying.
Yale's contribution to preparedness has re-
Gently caused great deal OF CONSERVATION among
the other universities In addition to its military
activities Yale announces through various mem
bers of its alumni, including ex-Presdent Taft,
that its graduate reunions this year will be dry"
The alumni feels that by establishing prohibition
at these celebrations they will be setting pa
be worth the sacrifice. If war demands the elimi-
nation of alcohol in the United States as it did
the adjustment in Russia, Yale is with the United
States.
In addition to the military activities of the
students the faculties of the universities have also
been quick to extend their services and the use
Of the college buildings and equipment to the
government. The University of California for
example, offers its buildings at Berkeley, CAL as
storehouses and laboratories of war, while large
farm in connection with the college it offers as
the headquarters of a regiment of calvary. Three
regiments of men could be trained on the college
grounds, the president asserts and the farm would
form the basis of cavalry depot.
Since the United States entered the war the
suggestions of assistance offered by the nations
schools and colleges have multiplied until the
War department is in confusion as to just what
use should be made of them. 1t is known that
the colleges of Europe have played an important
part in the war. In France even the public schools
have been mustered into service. But of what
value college buildings will be to the government
now that this country is at war is undetermined.
The War department is awaiting the return of
DR.. John H. Finley commissioner of education
of the state of New York. who recently sailed for
France to find out how Europe has handled this
question.