New-York tribune., 1919-09-25
Columbia, Wesleyan, Brown,
Lehigh and Others Face
Altered Future Eagerly;
Varied Courses Offered
Continue Army Training g
Sec. Baker Explains Pur-
pose of Preparing Officers
for National Defence

With their faces turned toward
new era Of peace and the developments
to be brought forth in that era, Colum-
ba, Wesleyan, Brown, Lehigh and
East opened their doors yesterday to
the largest student bodies their halls
have ever contained.
The Altered future that America
now faces is specially exemplified
at Columbia in the courses that have
been instituted for the coming semes-
ter. Besides the psychological tests
for incoming students, it has been ar
ranged to give more attention to the
bodily health Of students hereafter
Toward that end compulsory gymna-
sium work has been extended to cover
sophomore as we'll as freshman year.
and the whole student body will be
kept under the strict supervision Of
the university medical officer and his
staff. 1t is the aim of the university
to teach every student before he re-
ceives his degree how to play two out
door and two indoor sports with fair
ability.
Opens 166th Year
At 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon the
academic procession. led by President
Nicholas Murray Butler. filed from
the library building TO the gymnasium
where the opening exercises of the uni
versity's l66th year we're held. The
annual academic address was delivered
by Professor John Erskine. one Of the
founders of the A. L. +. university"
overseas, who spoke on university
leadership
Previous to this, at 10:30 yesterday
morning. President Butler had attended
the opening exercises Of the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, where Dean
William Darrach, who succeeds Dr.
Samuel W. Lambert, made the opening
address. reviewing the tremendous
progress made by medicine and surgery
within the last few years and predict
ing even more startling achievements
IN the near future.
No successor has been appointed vet
for Dean Talcott Williams, of the
school Of journalism. who retired this
year. Until such successor be chosen
Professor John w. Cunliffe will fill
the place.
The Reserve Officers Training Corps
Will continue its work under the direc-
tion Of Lieutenant Colonel Allan r.
Edwards, U. S. A. What the govern
ment hopes to develop by the continual
ton of this system was explained yes
terday at Bethlehem. Penn, where
Secretary Baker delivered the opening
address at Lchigh University
1T has not been in the past, nor is
it now he said, "the idea or inten-
ton Of the government in reinstitut-
ing a system OF military training for
students to develop a miltaristic spirit
in our people There is a wide gulf
between military proficiency, as typ-
fed by the American citizen trained to
arms and confident Of his proficiency,
and that mllitarlstic spirit which the
Prussian system developed during the
last forty years.
ut is our idea to develop in the ma
tion a citizonry trained and capable of
efficiently bearing arms for national
defence. To train and to lead this
citizen army Ne must draw upon our
educated young men for those who are
capable of developing as officers. 1t is
ore of the aXioms OF military science
that intelligent leadership on the part
of the oi!icor personnel means the con-
serFatlon and saving Of life of the
troops.
Neglected i'm Past
American education in the past has
been inclined to overlook the necessity
Of emphasizing that phase of its mani
fold activities which deals with the
subject or preparation for national de-
fence. college education which has
left untouched the fitting of its sub
iect for active service under his coun-
try's flag is and must be incomplete
''ln the T.. O. T. c. the college finds
this vital addition to its curriculum.
and the student who pursues the train
ing which it offers finds the opportunity
for mental and physical DEVELOPMENT
which completes his equipment for the
battle of life"
Brown University began it's 156th
year Yesterday with the largest fresh
man class in the history of the in
stitution. Registration is still in prog
ress, but it is believed that the enter
ing class Will number considerably
more than three hundred. President
Faunce, Daniel II. kuin and Hugh W.
McNair, ~, spoke at the opening ex-
crcises.
Wesleyan University also boasts the
largest freshman class in its history. q
large proportion of whom sew service
in the war Dean Charles Brown Of
Yale spoke at the opening exercises
last night.