Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-02
NEW REGULAR ARMY IS
EDUCATIONAL FACTOR
Uncle Sans Fighting Men Arc
Practically i'm Huge University
Now.
$4,000 SOLDIERS STUDY
Those Who Profit Most Have Had
No Educational Chance, and by
Present Plan Will Be Given Equip
mcnt for Life Work.

;a,ionai force, in the Shape of the
amer american "a, regular army, viii come into
future 4 the present plans of govern
ment officials army officers and prom
''g Tricn S,v' !, n educators are realiZed
Sans standing army 4 huge unvcr-
siiy in which the young men of the
and military training. but will be
given opportunities to acquire academic
and vocational learning which might be
beyond their reach in civil life, The
which represented almost blank pages
in the life diary, Of the soldier. will
being 'urned back into civil life in
more helpless state than when he en-
TS5ea the srmM ne Vii ,n be CGnGped e, Z!
tho sun OF the business and professional
world.
Mmny In Army schools.
The possibilities of this plan have
heer demonstrated in the Wonderful
work done during lie past few months
ny the educational commission In the
American eNpeditionary force in
mistice something like 10000 Ameri-
can soldiers have been appreciably
benefited by the army schools. which
ever man. and which have provided
facilities To study aimos; every con
ceiyahie subject from farming to
Few of the army educators in France
realized at the outset now great
wotk ,hey We're starting. The aviidity
officer have seized upon the prorered
opportunities has astounded them.
With tbs object lesson before il. the
forces. The project assumea. it IS
Y ,hs stood. ina, The STANDING army Of
large one. and that there may b.. !,
snort rHtioG of compulsory training
the scheme is not dependent upon the
compulsory Tea tur".
All Subjects Taught
Under the new system all subjects
would be taught. from y, b. C,'s for
first year OF university work Noca-
ttonai training would naturally form
most impor.ant phase OF the pro-
tinity for schooling before entering
The army would he started on their
way AND would he permitted to re-
vice in order to carry on their studies
others. who perhaps had finished high
Scnoc' would he given chance TO
hes.n their college course. SO that
there would he no waste Of time in
case they were planning TO go into
Iyfess ions or business.
There would he military training
of course, and the soldiers would be
made, as nearly physically perfect as
poSsiptt a large pa OF their time,
however. would be devoted If they
so desired. 10 improving their minds
Thus. the army believes. any boy no
matter what his standing in society
would he materially benefited By his
period Of service with the colors.
Many Poor Youths Benefited.
Probably the man who would profit
the most would ne the orc who had
acquired either no education or had
been forced TO leave school AT an early
age For example. = New York East
Side boy. who has lef school to help
suppor, the family. and has no equip
ment TO enable him to secure lucra tiv g
work and so drifts about in unskilled
labor. lf he enters the army ne is to
ne put TO work in the school. housed
ana fed and paid "A regular wage.
which he can send home TO his people
~ the end Of the year 1t is expected
that he will be proficient enough In
his trade so tina, he can secure job
with good prospects. The gate to the
broad highway will be opened to him
II is believed by educators that many
poor youths Will devote not only one
YEAR 20 the army. but viii remain for
several years, in order 10 acquire Al
least some higher education.
This, in brief, is the plan which
IS being worked on in Paris nov by
prominent men, who have every hope
that IL viii be carried out.