Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1921-06-07
Middies We're GiUen Fair -
.Show, Officials Declare
After Congress Criticisms

I EhAuAiob anu AA1 navy btpal tAANhA -
limited by the law. There are about
100 civilian Instructors. making up the
whole of the three departments men
toned with a few others. and these
are all authorized BY law II more
are desired. then Congress must pass
the necessary legislation.
Naval officers are assigned to the
academy from time 10 time. the limi,
OF me period being three years. II
; quite possible that they are moi
always chosen for particular aptitude
as teachers. though care is taken
particularly with those of higher
rank. that they are qualified in the
branch taught by the department TO
which they are assigned There can
be no doubt that in the large major
lily OF instances. they perform their
duties conscientiously and capably.
IT is not likely that officers scheme
to be assigned to the Naval Academy
in order to get shore duty Officers
become entitled TO shore duty after
their regular period at sea, and it is
possible that when they are in posi-
ton TO claim IL. some try TO be sent
10 the Naval Academy. II is attrac-
tive to some. but others do not like
IL at all, and there> are certain urf
deniable drawbacks.
The Government provides quarters
for only small proportion of its Off
GERS at the Academy and the others
have 10 find them in Annapolis. Rents
there are high, and many officers live
with their families in homes far be-
low the grade which would lie ex-
pectcd
Many OF the criticisms now being
made would have been much more in
order few years ago. for the move
men, has been away from the condi-
ton indicated by them. There is far
larger proportion of civilian instruc-
tors than ever before, and much more
consideration is given TO the midship-
man who is having difIiculrs in COM
ing mp to the requirements In fact.
many think that conditions are now
much to lenient.
During the term just past for the
first time. midshipmen we're admitted
on the certificates OF recognized
schools, instead OF being required to
take the examination in every case. Ii
was also provided that those who fail
ed in the regular examination should
be given special instruction and al
lowed another chance. AS stated, this
was done in every case. Those who
failed in the last semi-annual exami-
nation were 276, but. after special in
strnction OF from four to six weeks.
l66 saved themselves by passing the
denomination
The officials and instructors at the
Naval Academy are not engaged in
determined effort to get as many
boys out OF the service as possible
but the spirit is just the contrary
However. it is understood that a youth
must show reasonable aptitude and
application: must show that he is a
worker and willing to give real effort,
or he is not of the material to make
an officer of the navy Naval officers
have the ordinary limitations of human
beings and mistakes may be made.
but every effort is made to give every
midshipman an absolutely square
deal.
1t may also he noted that the Off
cial board of visitors to the academy
has in recent years been made up en-
tirely OF members of Congress and
distinguished educators They do not
visit the academy during June week. :
the season of gayety and excitement.
as in former years but make their
visit and inspections during the regu-
lar school term. and see the workings
OF the academy under normal eondi-
tions. II there is anything wrong
with the system at the Naval Acad-
envy these men should find il out and
Congress has the power 10 make any
changes it deems wise