Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-12-09
COURSE IS OPTIONAL
WITH EVERY YOUTH

"Our discipline is one hundred per
cent. better this year than ever be-
fore as a result of our system OF
military training" This is the I'M
pressive endorsement given by Head
master Arthur f.. Brown this morn
ing in commenting on the SUCCESS
with which the system worked out.
Discipline has been improved in
every possible manner, Headmaster
Brown said. Noise in the corridors,
he said. has been reduced to an
absolute minimum and the punctu-
ality of the boys is remarkable
The one hundred and seventy odd
boys have derived much benefit,
physically from their forty minutes
daily on the drill fields. Stories are
told of many pounds Of additional
muscle and flesh now being carried
by the youths as q result of their
systematic exercise under the cap
able instruction of Captain Francis
IL. Hoy, Jr. Illness among them is
quite exceptional as a result of the
tip-top physical condition in which
their drill has resulted.
But the classroom work of the
youths has been largely benefited
too, by the military work. Mr.
Brown tells that the boys are ac-
quitting themselves very, very much
better than they did before. After
their methodical physical work nn-
der careful supervision, he says, the
boys are in better condition to get
down to their work when the study
hour comes and they do get down
and apply themselves with greater
vigor than ever they did before the
system of military training was in
augurated at the Harrisburg Acade-
my.
Optional With Youths
The Harrisburg Academy was the
first local secondary educational in
stitution to take up the system of
military training and the manner in
which the system has appealed to the
youths and the beneficial results at
taned is consequently of consider
able interest. THE system is entire
ly optional among the youths,
Headmaster Brown explained, but
there is not single youth on the
roster of the institution who has not
availed himself of the opportunity
to take the drill
Headmaster Brown spoke in glow
ing terms of the work that the boys
are doing on the Academy's parade
grounds. The system will be con-
tinued in after years and as long
thereafter as the results warrant,
he promises.
All the students are well Versed
in the foot movements of q soldier
and some of the more advanced of
military tactics will be given them
later. Approximately a half hundred
guns have been secured by Academy
officials and these will be furnished
to the older youths who will he
given instructions in the manual of
arms, g.
Captain Hoy Pleased
Captain Francs II. Hoy, Jr.,
military instructor at the Academy,
in speaking of the progress of the
boys, feels very much encouraged
over the manner in which the stu
dents have taken to the work.
In speaking of the training being
given the students at the Academy,
Captain Hoy said: My services were
secured to instruct the students in
military tactics and the first duties
of a soldier, namely obedience to or
ders, discipline and courtesy And
/ am very much pleased to see by the
conduct of the students that they
have taken to those three principles
Just as strongly as they have to the
maneuVcring.
The boys appear in their uni
forms at all times" continued Cap
tain Hoy. THE uniforms are a cadet
gray, made over the exact pattern
of the West Point cadet" When
asked about undertaking the train
ing of students of such varied ages,
Captain Hoy replied: 1t was quite
an undertaking for one person to
teach 1S0 students ranging in age
from years to 20 years, as ii is
customary in all military camps or
units for one person TO instruct a
squad, which is composed of eight
men"
p Speaking along this line, Captain
Hoy continued: But | was very
careful in selecting student officers.
both commissioned and non-com-
missioned. All of these appointments
were made for merit. | first selected
those whose work came to my notice
and mentioned their names to Dr.
Brown, headmaster so as to know
OF these students conduct and sand
mig in their various studies. Each
one had to make good in the posi-
tion he was appointed to before he
was given his chevrons.
Officers Named
THE present commissioned Of
ficers are First Lieutenants Ludding-
ton, Hunter Green and Mers s1reau.
The sergeants are Loose, Bacon,
Rose, Michauz, Bennethum and Mil
nor. The company is divided into
three platoons which | expect later to
turn into three companies. They
have been taught the school of - >
soldier, school of the squad and
school of the company, close and
open formation. setting-up exercises
and will soon take up interior guard
duty and extended order"
/ When asked about the progress