The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-01-30
School Contest to be
To Be Held Feb. 70

A school contest Is to be held
throughout the United States on Fri
day, February 20, 1920. This con-
test is being conducted under the aus
pices Of the war department and Is
in the form of an essay to be submit
ted by all school children who desire
to compete. At the present time
when Congress is in the process of
determining a definite military poll
cy for the United States, the War De-
partment is making an effort to bring
to the attention of the people of the
| country the real significance of the
Regular Army and the intimate asso-
citation it has with the life of the Ma
ton. 1t is the endeavor of the De-
partment to convince the American
people that the Army is not a thing
apar thor one that is useless except
in time of war, but in actually it is
a great educational and manipulating
institution. The establishment of
splendidly equipped schools for voca-
tional training together with the in
auguration of a policy Of education
for all young men desiring to take adj
vantage Of the opportunities now Of
fered to those enlisting in the service
of their country is in itself conclu-
sive proof of the earnestness of pur-
pose of the War Department and the
success of this policy can not be
doubted once it's significance is real
lied and understood In the further
ance of this idea, the present essay
contest among school children has
been initiated and by that means it is
expected to bring to the homes of
the great majority of American fami-
lies an understanding of the Army
that never hitherto has obtained. 1t
is believed that the knowledge of the
Army secured by those concerned
and the information relative thereto
that will b disseminated should op-
crate as tremendous medium of
bringing the Army to a closer associ-
alton with the civilian communities.
Here Is the Plan
On April 10 next, board of judges
consisting of Secretary of War Baker,
General Peyton G. March and Gen.
eral John ]. Pershing, will announce
to the awaiting world the names of
thre eboys or girls who on February
20, 1920, wrote the best essays on
the subject: "Wha tare the benefits
of an enlistment in the U. S. Army"
Then on May 5, 1920, these three
boys and girls, accompanied by par.
ents or guardians (railroad fares and
all expenses paid to Washington and
return for both winners and parents),
will be presented with medals by
Secretary Baker himself.
Gold medal, suitably engraved, to
the winner Of the first prize. 500
Silver medal, suitably engraved to
the winner OF the second prize:
Bronze medal, suitably engraved,
othe winner of the third prize.
In addition three beautiful silver
cups, suitably engraved, will be pre-
sented to the winner by Secretary
Baker to be carried back HON by
them as prizes for the schools they
attend.
The contest is under the auspices
Of the War Department but the news
paper, Come Back, the official organ
Of the Walter Reed Hospital in Wash
ngton, asked permission to purchase
he prizes. This permission was
granted and the school children are
really competing for prizes that were
provided by manned and injured sol
Tiers now at Walter Reed Hospital.
There is no age limit in this con-
est and the little seven year old girl
n Santa Barbara, California has the
'ame chance of winning a prize as
las the ninteen year old high school
10Y of Baltimore.
New York state has many times the
lumber of school pupils that Nevada
has, yet the chane eof producing win
lers in each of these states is exact
y the same.
Essays will be written in the class |,
ooms on Friday, February 20, 1920,
rom notes if desired.
No essay will be more than four
words in length.
Pencil, or pen and ink, may be used
nut the essay will be written on only
me side of the sheet.
Essays will be judged strictly on a
asis of (D originality, (2) express